Safety Net Shelter
Bill Wilson Center's Safety Net Shelter serves youth ages 12-17.
To receive services: Please contact Bill Wilson Center at (408) 243-0222 and ask for an Intake Counselor. Youth may also stop by 3490 The Alameda in Santa Clara at any time for help.
About the Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter: Bill Wilson Center's Safety Net Shelter provides short-term shelter for homeless and runaway youth ages 12-17. Through intensive individual, group and family counseling the shelter's program strives to reunite families whenever possible, prevent future problems and stabilize the lives of young people to keep them safe. Our shelter operates 24/7 with staff onsite to serve our youth. A typical day in the shelter includes family-style meals prepared by our chef with the assistance of the youth. Each youth completes assigned chores. Youth attend their designated school, if youth are on independent study residential counselors ensure youth are completing their packets. Family and individual counseling occurs at least 1-2 times per week and is coordinated through the assigned case manager. Our recreational therapist designs workshops and groups for the youth to participate in which include independent skill development. Youth also participate in expressive art group, drug and alcohol educational groups, runaway prevention groups, and groups designed to assist youth with making healthy choices to help them better succeed in their lives. In addition to these groups, supervised recreational outings to promote healthy prosocial behaviors are provided. Relationship building is a large part of the shelter life. Our residential counselors serve as role models and focus on maintaining safety while building strong positive relationships in order to foster trust.
Basic responsibilities for each youth include participating in school, recreational activities and counseling sessions. Establishing positive relationships with staff and other residents is also an expectation, as well as following house rules such as maintaining a clean bedroom and completing daily chores.
Learn More about Bill Wilson Center's Runaway & Homeless Youth Shelter
If you are interested in learning more about our Runaway & Homeless Youth Shelter, please consider joining us for an upcoming tour.
Tours will touch on the following topics:
- Bill Wilson Center's guiding principles
- Success stories of past clients
- Methods and principles implemented in our Youth Shelter
