The Winter Sanctuary Program: A Collaboration between Sacramento Steps Forward, Volunteers of America and Local, Interfaith Congregations

Winter Sanctuary is fully funded!

Operating at capacity

Partnerships include Volunteers of America and the following churches:

• Arcade Church
• Atonement Lutheran
• Capital Christian Center
• Center of Praise Ministries
• City Life Church
• Crosspointe Church of Natomas
• Faith Presbyterian
• First Baptist Church of Elk Grove
• First Covenant Church
• Living in God's Love Ministries
• Living Stones Christian Reformed Church
• Lutheran Church of the Master
• Mars Hill Church
• Masjid Annur
• SALAM Center
• Seventh Day Adventist
• St. John's Lutheran
• St. Mark's United Methodist
• St. Paul's Baptist
• St. Paul's Lutheran
• Sun River Church
• This Is Pentecost Ministries
• Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
• Trinity Life Center

Winter Sanctuary '11-'12

The Winter Sanctuary program is set to begin on December 1, however currently is experiencing a funding gap. This gap must be significantly narrowed for the program to open its doors. If you would like to donate to Winter Sanctuary, please click the following button.

If your congregation is interested in participating as either a host or partner congregation, please contact Shannon Stevens at sstevens@sacstepsforward.org or 916-577-9772

What is Winter Sanctuary?

Winter Sanctuary is a rotating, nightly, interfaith shelter that operates during Sacramento’s winter months. Led by Volunteers of America and Sacramento Steps Forward, it was one component of Winter Shelter, which also included a motel voucher program targeted at homeless families, people with disabilities and the elderly. The second component was 50 County-funded shelter beds for families.

Each winter in Sacramento, cold and wet weather conditions threaten the lives of the approximately 1,200 homeless men, women and children sleeping outside. County budget cuts have significantly decreased Winter Shelter funding, creating a crisis. While limited public funding was allocated to serve homeless families, homeless single adults were left with very few options. Without a warm, dry, safe place to sleep in the winter, people who are homeless are at an even greater risk of illness, injuries and death.

Winter Sanctuary began operating on December 1, 2010 and ran through March 31, 2011. This program involved the participation of 24 different interfaith congregations throughout the Sacramento area. Each night, a scheduled congregation would open its doors to up to 100 homeless individuals. Guests received a sleeping bag and then were bused to and from the staging area, which was a warehouse at the Loaves & Fishes complex. The warehouse was generously donated for this purpose by Moe Mohanna. Volunteers of America provided overnight staff for each evening.

Between December 1 and March 31, Winter Sanctuary sheltered 550 unduplicated guests total. Each night, dedicated volunteers from the participating congregation paid for and prepared two meals for their guests: a simple dinner and simple breakfast. The congregations and volunteers also provided games, movies, massages, haircuts, conversation and a warm, loving community. Over the course of the winter, 2,000 volunteers made this program a success.

Some participating congregations went above and beyond hosting, collecting donations during their services and donating to pay for their week of hosting. Additionally, over 80 Sacramento citizens donated to the program; 25 businesses and civic associations also made significant financial contributions.

Make a tax-deductible donation through our secure Pay-Pal site.

Winter Sanctuary Resources

• List of 2010-2011 Participating Congregations
• Testimony by the Winter Sanctuary volunteers from St. Mark’s Methodist Church
• Winter Sanctuary Data