Services

The Living Room provides referral services, communication resources, companionship, healthy meals, classes, and personal hygiene and emergency supplies to its many clients.   The staff, volunteers, churches, and community programs provide these services, essential to the health and well being of hundreds of women and children. Referral Services support the need for shelter, medical and mental health providers, social service agencies, low-cost housing and food distribution.  

Staff members are knowledgeable about local services and provide referrals to clients based upon their individual needs. Without communication resources the women would not be able to stay in contact with family members, locate jobs and housing, and receive social services.    Telephone, voice mail, P.O. Box, writing supplies, newspapers and computers with internet access are available during hours of operation. One of the results of homelessness is isolation. 

The Living Room provides participants with a community of support so essential to healthy living.   In the words of one woman: “Its a haven...I thank God you have given me a place to go.”   The children are surrounded by loving volunteers who listen and play with them, teach them how to play games, do artwork, and sing songs with them.   Mothers spend quality time with their children in this safe, enjoyable environment.      

Personal hygiene and emergency supplies are provided to clients who are in need of socks and underclothes, toiletries, feminine products, diapers, and blankets.   Sleeping bags and foul weather gear are provided during winter months to protect them during inclement weather. Hundreds of caring volunteers provide meals, companionship, special events and parties, and tangible goods. 

Some of the community organizations that support The Living Room: Harvest For the Hungry - Fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers. Interfaith Shelter Network – Support services for transitional housing. California Parenting Institute – Weekly parenting classes. Sutter Family Practice Residency Program - Assist in helping clients make necessary medical contacts and linkages to needed health services. Early Learning Institute (ELI) - Staff observe and interact with children to assess for any developmental delays and to link mothers with needed resources regarding children's issues. Drug Abuse Alternatives Center – Outreach visits regarding substance abuse treatment options, education and counseling/testing for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and referrals about sexually transmitted diseases. Art Therapy – local art therapist. Sonoma State University/Santa Rosa Junior College - Student interns from the Nursing Program, Commnunity Health, Women and Gender Studies, Sociology and Psychology departments fulfill their community hours at The Living Room, often creating relevant educational workshops and supporting clients with individual counseling.