If you are aware of other highly useful community services that address the needs below, please send their names and contact information to our Care Team. A brief assessment of what they do best would also be helpful. Please email the Care Team or call (408) 867-1000, ext. 239.
Need Assessment and Referral
Dial 2-1-1 for excellent care response and comprehensive referral service. This is a free, non-emergency, telephone service that connects callers with hundreds of community services. A trained, caring professional fields calls 24 hours a day, identifies needs and makes referrals for basic needs, counseling, health services, employment assistance, child & elder care, immigration assistance and much more.
This number is a superb resource for those who have multiple survival needs and difficulty navigating the labyrinth of public and private social services.
Food
Saratoga Federated Church – (408) 867-1000
for Safeway cards: Given to those who qualify on Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm while they last. It is best to call, and ask the Care Team if cards are still available before making a trip there. Limitations: Only 1 person per family can receive a voucher. Maximum assistance is 2 times in 12 months. Minimum of 90 days between assistance dates.
During COVID-19 Shelter in Place: Limited assistance is available. Email care@saratogafederated.org or leave a phone message on the Care extension (408) 867-1000 x239.
Food Connection – (800) 984-3663
for food assistance: Open Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm has information on Hot Meal programs as well as grocery programs in the county
Sunnyvale Community Services – (408) 738-4321
Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen – (408) 922-9085
CalFresh Program – (408) 271-5600 or 877-962-3633
Senter Road Office, San Jose
State of California "My Benefits CalWin" – (877) 847-3663
where residents learn about and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance programs
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – (888) 942-9675
Housing and Survival
Santa Clara County Assistance Application Center – (408) 271-5600
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/ssa/Pages/ssa.aspx
for food assistance, health coverage, financial assistance
City Team – (408) 232-5600
for hot meals, shelter for homeless; recovery for addiction; family assistance; assist pregnant women in crisis.
Life Moves: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness – (408) 271-1630 for women and (408) 271-5160 for men without children
http://lifemoves.org (formerly InnVision)
for emergency shelters and programs to aid people in transition.
HomeFirst Homeless Helpline – (408) 975-1440 or (408) 510-7600
City of San Jose Housing Department and HomeFirst
www.sjhousing.org or www.homefirstscc.org/our-programs/
List of affordable housing for families and seniors
San Jose Homeless Services PDF
ca-sanjose.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11171
Sacred Heart Community Services – (408) 278-2160
West Valley Community Services – (408) 255-8033
for housing assistance, family support services such as referrals, food, clothing, shelter, affordable housing, financial assistance and case management.
Utilities
PG&E Assistance – (800) 743-5000
for need based relief. Ask for a senior supervisor
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – (916) 576-7109
https://www.csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAPProgram.aspx
for help paying utility bills
Employment
Government Programs and Resources
California Employment Development Department (EDD) – (800) 300-5616 for information on unemployment insurance benefits, labor market, jobs, training, health coverage, unemployment insurance, benefits, filing a claim, and COBRA. Department website provides essential practical information. www.edd.ca.gov
NOVA Workforce Development - Job Seeker Resources
for motivation through education. They enable jobseekers to transition back into the workforce by providing new skills, connections, information, and opportunities.
NOVA Job Center
505 W. Olive Avenue, Suite 550
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 730-7232
NOVA Job Center
1777 Borel Place, Suite 500
San Mateo
(650) 581-0058
NOVA Youth Employment Program
505 W. Olive Avenue, Suite 630
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 568-7776
Email: youngadults@novaworks.org
work2future
for job seeker coaching and training. The local administrative arm of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) features: talent coaches, workshops, training classes, and other job seeker services.
San José Job Center
Kirk Community Center
1601 Foxworthy Ave,
San José, CA 95118
408.794.1100
North San José Job Center
California EDD
1901 Zanker Road
San José, CA 95134
(408) 216-6200
Gilroy Job Center
South County Social Services
379 Tomkins Ct.
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 758-3477
CTC Partner Affiliate - ConXión to Community
749 Story Road
San Jose,CA 95122
(408) 213-0961
work2future Youth Training Center
2072 Lucretia Avenue
San Jose, CA 95122
(408) 794-1234
Community Programs and Resources
CSIX Connect
for mutual encouragement and self-education through selected guest trainers. Networking support group that helps individuals in career transition to significantly improve their job search success through education, in-person networking, and mutual support. Agenda includes new member introductions, job lead announcements, contact requests, and networking time. See three locations below. Check website for programs and registration.
Networking Lunch (Note: all meetings are held online via Zoom until further notice. See website for meeting details.)
Saratoga Federated Church
20390 Park Place
Saratoga, CA
(408) 867-1000
Every Thursday 10:00am to 1:00pm
Cost: $5
Career Actions Ministry
offers hope and encouragement to anyone who is facing the of job transition. Once a month, we have a large group meeting which provides practical training on job search skills and networking. CAM is for both job seekers and employed “Good Samaritans” who want to help.
Large group meetings typically held second and fourth Saturdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am
1677 Miramonte Ave, Mountain View Campus, Fellowship Hall (via Zoom until further notice - see website)
menlo.church/mountainview/group/careeractions
Medical
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center – (408) 885-5000
751 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128
For underinsured or low income patients. Direct those with non-urgent needs to the Express Care Clinic next to the Emergency Room. Direct those with psychological issues to the Central Mental Health unit (on the same campus). Central Mental Health has a direct line: (408) 885-6220. The Social Service and Care Management unit is also directly accessible for practical guidance: (408) 885-5504, option 2.
Fee Free Health Coverage for Children who participate in MediCal
- The Health Trust – (408) 513-8700 healthtrust.org/contact-us/
- Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County – (408) 468-0100 www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/get-help?locale=en
Dental
Note: All of the following county services are free or inexpensive. Complex conditions are treated—i.e. for meth-mouth, they will do full upper/lower extractions and arrange for dentures. Individual should call before attempting to receive services. They may have to get in line early and be prepared to wait for several hours. It is worthwhile if the individual desperately needs dental services and cannot afford them.
Valley Health Center Tully (888) 334-1000 (for appointments and advice)
500 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111
They have several medical services and a dental clinic. Individual should call the toll-free number to get instructions on how to receive services.
Santa Clara County Dental Call Center (408) 808-6102
Highland Hospital E Wing (510) 437-4473
1141 East 31st Street, Oakland, CA 94602
They will do dentures and other specialty services for dental needs. They only serve the first ten people. Get clients there by 5:00 am to ensure they will be seen.
Vision
Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(800) 660-2009 vistacenter.org
Vista Center empowers individuals who are blind or visually impaired to embrace life to the fullest through evaluation, counseling, education and training.
Locations:
2500 El Camino Real, Suite 100
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 858-0202
101 North Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 295-4016
3315B Mission Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 458-9766
Counseling
All of our pastors do some counseling, each within their scope of competency. And, all are able to make issue specific referrals to local professional talent. If your situation is more complicated, you can make an appointment with Pastor Engelson for assessment and referral.
In our region professional care is often expensive. Some clinicians have negotiable rates when clients have financial hardship. If you need immediate access to low cost counseling, investigate the resources at Advent (below).
Advent Group Counseling Center – (408) 281-0708
An affordable sliding scale is based on income and household size
Rates for care by trainees and Interns: $20-45
Rates for licensed/associate therapists (proven professionals): $50-115
90 Great Oaks Blvd., Suite 108, San Jose, CA 95119
Seniors
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline – (800) 272-3900
Heart of the Valley - (408) 241-1571
A nonprofit, all volunteer organization helping seniors 65 years or older in West Santa Clara Valley by offering services and programs which help them maintain their independence.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Elder Financial Abuse Hotline - (855) 323-5337
www.ifa-fiv.org/partner-profiles/national-committee-for-the-prevention-of-elder-abuse-ncpea/
National Council for Aging Care's Guide to Recognizing Elder Abuse and Knowing Your Rights?
http://www.aginginplace.org/guide-to-recognizing-elder-abuse/
Sourcewise Community Resource Solutions (includes Medicare Supplemental Insurance Counseling) – (800) 434-0222 or (408) 350-3200
SALA Senior Adults Legal Assistance - Central Office (408) 295-5991, (408) 847-7252 South County, (650) 969-8656 North County
Teens
CORA Teen Hotline – (650) 259-8136
24 hour Youth Crisis and Teen Health Hotline for any reason – (888) 247-7717
Your Life Your Voice
24 hour teen crisis hotline. (800) 448-3000
The Boys Town National Hotline is a free hotline available to kids, teens and young adults at any time. We provide help when you need it most. Call, chat, text or email. We are here to talk if you're depressed, contemplating suicide, being physically or sexually abused, on the run, addicted, threatened by gang violence, fighting with a friend or parent, or if you are faced with an overwhelming challenge.
Onyourmind.net– Online Resource
This local (for residents of the Bay Area), live chat room is available Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:30 p.m. during the school year. It provides a safe and anonymous place for teens to get information and support from other teens (during Covid-19, chats may be answered by trained Crisis Center staff). You can talk about anything that’s on your mind, including relationships, school, depression, stress, suicide, friends, parents, cutting, identity, and health. You can also submit a question to be answered on the Q&A page, or connect to resources for additional information and support.
The Trevor Project
A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. (866) 488-7386
LearnPsychology.org
www.learnpsychology.org/suicide-depression-student-guidebook/
Suicide and depression awareness for students. If a suicide attempt seems immediate, call 911. If the threat is urgent, you can also call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK, 1-800-SUICIDE, your local crisis center, dial 911, or take the person to an emergency room. Remove guns, drugs, knives, and other potentially lethal objects from the vicinity (home and car) but do not, under any circumstances, leave a suicidal person alone.
Suicide | Self-Injury
National Suicide Hotline – (800) SUICIDE (784-2433)
California Youth Crisis Line – (800) 843-5200
Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline
(855) 278-4204 or text RENEW to 741741
(408) 279-3312 (Central County)
(650) 494-8420 (North County)
(408) 683-2482 (South County)
Uplift Family Services (formerly EMQ) Crisis Team – (408) 379-9085
24-hour mobile response team - can come to your home to stabilize a mental health crisis and assess if a psychiatric hold is needed. Provides crisis de-escalation, 5150 evaluations and referrals for children (up to ages 17) and their families.
Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS) – (408) 885-6100
871 Enborg Court, San Jose, CA 95128
Operated by the Acute Psychiatric Services Division of the Valley Medical Center (VMC) EPS is the only 24-hour locked emergency psychiatric room in Santa Clara County. Access requires a 72-hour hold.
Mental Health Urgent Care – (408) 885-7855
In the southeast corner of the same building that houses Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS), Mental Health Urgent Care is a walk-in outpatient clinic, providing screening, assessment, crisis intervention, referral and short-term treatment (up to 60 days) to voluntary mentally ill. Map: SCVMC_Campus_Map
The Suicide and Crisis Services of Santa Clara County – (408) 885-6216
www.santaclara.networkofcare.org and www.suicide.org
For a cost-free drop-in Survivors of Suicide Support Group (SOS) where adults who have lost a loved one to suicide can meet weekly to process some of the thoughts and feelings they are experiencing as a result of their loss. Call for the meeting times.
Suicide Prevention in College - (800) 273-TALK (8255)
www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/college-suicide-prevention/
A resource guide on emergency assistance, warning signs & prevention of suicide in college students.
www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/suicide-prevention/ (for parents of high school or college students)
Mental Health Online
(see Teen section for youth focused internet resources)
As the first social networking site to focus on mental health treatment and wellness, this online community includes individuals, their family members, loved ones and friends who want to easily and interactively obtain knowledge about symptoms and treatments in a supportive community environment. This site is not faith-based. Different chat rooms are available for those struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-injury, and other conditions. The site requires registration for chatting.
Newhopeonline.org - (714) 639-4673
As the first U.S. 24-hour nationwide suicide prevention and telephone counseling center sponsored by a Christian church, it utilizes a team of over 350 volunteer counselors. It may be best suited to participants who identify as Christian.
www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/college-student-mental-health/
A student's guide to recognizing disorders, seeking help and promoting mental health wellness.
Debt and Bankruptcy
San Jose Free Clinics
The website for the US Bankruptcy Court has extensive information on bankruptcy. For the free clinics, go to the Pro Se/Pro Bono Services tab under Quick Links.
Debtors' Rights Clinics, Pro Bono Project – (408) 998-5298
480 North First Street, San Jose, CA
Pre-bankruptcy advice and limited help is offered. Find out what rights you have, and whether bankruptcy is the answer for you.
Debtors' Advice Clinics – (408) 288-7030
The Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center
1030 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
See website and find Advice Clinics under the heading "Our Services." The clinics are by appointment only and are also available in Spanish.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco – (800) 777-7526
595 Market Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
How to Communicate with a Creditor – One of many resources posted on website of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (see above). They strongly recommend personal contact with credit agencies, on phone but also in writing.
Money Management International – (866) 889-9347
Oakland Branch/East Bay Branch: 1901 Harrison Street, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94612
Useful Debt-Recovery Publications
Knee Deep in Debt – published by the Federal Trade Commission: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/dealing-debt. Describes options. Recommends first step is to contact creditors. They point to the US Trustee Program as government approved organizations to handle bankruptcy.
Legal Aid
Free Legal Aid
Website with many resources from a DIY standpoint.
Free & Low Cost Legal Help from Santa Clara County Courts
Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office
Family Justice Center Courthouse: 201 N. First Street, San Jose, CA
Bay Area Legal Aid Santa Clara County – (408) 283-3700
4 North Second Street, Suite 600, San Jose, CA 95113
Case Types: Domestic Violence, Housing, Public Benefits and legal aid referral.
Case Restrictions: Low-income.
Domestic Violence
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence – Hotline: (408) 279-2962
Provides victims of domestic violence with safe, effective alternatives to a life of fear, danger and few options.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
For help understanding domestic violence and it’s ramifications. Website includes a list of additional contacts and resources.
Addiction - Selected Local Leads
Alcoholics Anonymous in Santa Clara, California
24-Hour Help Line: (408) 374-8511
274 E. Hamilton Avenue, Suite D
Campbell, CA 95008
Thursday, 8:00 pm at Saratoga Federated Church (Old Post Office Bldg)
14376 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070
(For more meetings, see list online. All meetings are by Zoom during Covid-19.)
Al-Anon and Alateen in Northern California www.ncwsa.org
Santa Clara Valley Al-Anon Family Groups (408) 379-9375
www.scv-afg.org For more meetings, see list online or call (408) 379-1051
Santa Clara Valley Intergroup at Campbell Community Center
1 West Campbell Avenue (Room Q-82), Campbell CA 95008-1039
Debtors Anonymous – Toll Free: (800) 421-2383
www.debtorsanonymous.org (For more meetings, see list online)
Tuesday, 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (Oak Tree Building)
1158 Johnson Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Gamblers Anonymous – Northern California Hotline: (855) 222-5542
www.gamblersanonymous.org (For more meetings, see list online.)
Wednesday 7:30 to 9:00 pm at Good Samaritan Church
15040 Union Ave., San Jose 95124
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (Santa Clara County) – sfsouthbayslaa@gmail.com
Find a meeting: slaafws.org/meetings
San Francisco / East Bay Website: www.slaa-sfeb.org