|
The following article was written and shared with the RSCP by Amigos de Guadalupe staff. The name Ava is used to protect the privacy of the individual in the story.
For Ava, that reliability went deeper than logistics. It helped her begin a process of healing she hadn't expected. Behind the scenes, Ava was doing the hard work. With support from her case manager Dyana, she navigated a month-long process of applications, qualifications, and waitlists. She connected with housing agencies, applied for rental assistance, and kept pushing forward. "No one forgot us," she recalls. "Someone was always there." For Ava, that reliability went deeper than logistics. It helped her begin a process of healing she hadn't expected. Behind the scenes, Ava was doing the hard work. With support from her case manager Dyana, she navigated a month-long process of applications, qualifications, and waitlists. She connected with housing agencies, applied for rental assistance, and kept pushing forward. "Dyana (case manager) was integral to coaching and encouraging me through the process," Ava says. "She helped connect me to resources for moving in, for which I'm eternally grateful." The Safe Park program also helped Ava with practical needs along the way like car repairs, storage fees, and insurance; the kind of expenses that can derail someone's stability when every dollar matters. Through it all, Ava never stopped building toward her future. She holds an advanced degree and has been growing her own consulting business, steadily adding clients while supplementing her income with gig work. She wasn't just waiting for housing; she was building a life to move into. And then, the moment arrived. "I got housing!!!!" Ava texted her case manager. She secured a studio apartment in San Jose, with rental assistance to help bridge the gap as her business grows. Ava's journey is a testament to what becomes possible when someone has a safe place to sleep, people who show up for them, and a case manager who knows how to navigate the system. Safe Park didn't just give Ava a parking spot, it gave her a foundation to rebuild from. Thank you for being the foundation that makes new beginnings possible. Stories like Ava's don't happen without the people who show up, morning and evening, rain or shine. Our partners and dedicated volunteers make Safe Park possible by opening their doors, preparing meals, and offering a consistent, caring presence to every guest in the program. You are the reason no one is forgotten. * IN ADDITION TO THE AMIGOS ARTICLE ABOVE, THE RSCP WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO AVA THAT IT WAS A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK FOR THE FUTURE! About Rotating Safe Car Park (RSCP) Shelter RSCP's mission is to create safe and welcoming spaces where guests who are living in their cars can sleep, stabilize, recover, and gain access to social services. This care for our neighbors who are home insecure is accomplished through the collaboration of faith-based communities, local city governments, and other service organizations. About Amigos de Guadelupe Center for Justice & Empowerment
Amigos is a community-based nonprofit in East San José, and since 2012, we’ve been proud to walk alongside our neighbors. Inspired by the voices of leaders like Dolores Huerta, Blanca Alvarado, and the immigrant families who paved the way, we work to break the cycle of poverty through transformational systems change work and basic needs services. From housing support and immigration services to education programs and community advocacy, we’re here to help families build stability, find their voice, and thrive. Our mission is simple: empower families, uplift voices, and create a stronger, more equitable East San José, together!
0 Comments
A meaningful memory of Christmas Eve 2023, resurfaces Christmas Eve 2024, and is beautifully written down for us: by Drew A, Prince of Peace Dir. of Youth and Service Christmas time for church staff, like me, can be overwhelming. Between services and concerts, pageants and presents, family and friends, this season of quiet and patience can often times feel like a whirlwind. When I began working at this church, I remember feeling like Christmas didn't start for me until all the work was done and I could finally relax. Even Christmas Eve, which for a long time established the most spiritual moments I have experienced, felt busy, and sometimes it felt like I was missing the spirit of the Christ child while I checked every box.
This past Christmas Eve was different though. The Rotating Safe Car Park shelter (RSCP) program was on our site in December, which led to even more things going on, and an even busier Christmas Eve. There was a moment where I felt like there was too much to do. At that moment I looked up and saw Ron (name changed for privacy), a great man and a former RSCP guest, who just a few weeks prior was able to find permanent housing. Ron was beaming and his grin went from ear to ear. We hugged and talked about his new apartment. I was overcome with joy and was so happy that Ron came back to join us for our Christmas Eve service, as a friend, and as someone who benefitted so much from this program. I grabbed Ron a bulletin and was about to help him find his seat, when he reached into his pocket. This man who had just solidified his housing handed me 3 gift cards for local gas stations for the RSCP program to use to help the guests in need. At this moment on Christmas Eve I was again feeling overwhelmed, but not by busy schedules or too much going on, but by the presence of the Holy Spirit in this moment with Ron. All of the hard work seemed so easy now, and seemed so unbelievably well worth it. Ron showed me the spirit of Christmas, and just as importantly, showed how important this program is, and how it can quite literally change someone's life. While not every guest of RSCP will have the same story as Ron, it is these stories that keep me passionate about this program, that keep me motivated to do the work I do, and to hold in perspective how important this work truly is. I hope this story illustrates the type of impact, both on our guests and volunteers, that this program has. Thank you for your support!  RSCP Guest, Sharon, gets the keys to her apartment on September 26, 2022!!
Thank you to all the RSCP partners, volunteers, and Amigos de Guadalupe case managers -- this would not be possible without this unique and dedicated team effort! Living Lutheran magazine featured Prince of Peace's Rotating Safe Car Park in their August 2022 edition.
Read the full article here You are making a difference - Celebrating your generosity!
We recently completed our essential good and school supply drive for the San Jose Family Shelter families:
Coming in November: Christmas gift card drive  Monday, March 1, we said goodbye to our guests as they rotate to our next RSCP partner site. Our homeless ministry had 25 POP members and 5 members from partner organizations working morning and evening shifts for the months of January and February. Then more members gave us incredible meal support through POP’s very own Meal Ministry which included coordinated meals with Sacred Heart and Congregation Shir Hadash. Did we ever think that handmade masks would be “essential” and then generously supplied by our own POP talent? As the weather became colder, additional members knitted scarves and hats to offer our guests.
This community of faith sometimes seems like it knows no bounds… yet we know we do. We remain bound by the restraints of the pandemic. We get tired. We wish we had a quicker way or a different way to solve the homelessness issues. Still, as a community that enjoys being together, we carry on to lift up one another and our RSCP guests.  You may have noticed a shower trailer in front of the Fellowship Hall. It is here at POP on a trial basis. Most shower facilities available to the homeless have shut down during the COVID pandemic. When the Women’s Village House Shelter closed, their portable shower was donated to a group that has wanted to develop it into a ministry to serve the homeless. They began by offering it to the safe car park shelters like RSCP.
This week, another guest called the RSCP number to tell us that he is now “renting a room from an angel.” He called to tell us how much he especially appreciated the welcoming and supportive volunteers at Prince of Peace. He hopes he is able to pay it forward someday soon.
RSCP's mission is to create safe and welcoming spaces where guests who are living in their cars can sleep, stabilize, recover, and gain access to social services. This care for our neighbors who are home insecure is accomplished through the collaboration of faith-based communities, local city governments, and other service organizations. A regular place to park overnight makes a difference. Here are a few recent stories from Rotating Safe Car Park Shelter.
Four months ago, a guest arrived at the RSCP. He needed work, car repairs and a place to live. During his rotations with the RSCP, he worked hard with his case manager and referral services to find a job, repair his car, and this month obtained low-income housing. He now rents his own studio apartment. Seven month ago, a guest arrived at the RSCP. She struggled to stabilize. She parked next to another guest who was a reassuring and supporting presence. The guest remained in good standing with the RSCP as her Dad, her case manager, and others continued to support her. After time in a supportive county shelter, she is a positive presence back here at POP for a week, while she transitions to permanent supportive housing. |
RSCP Leadership TeamNorman, Karen, Ulrike, Pastor Sara Community Service AgenciesLinks and Articles of Interest$50 million donation to homeless initiatives
Step up Silicon Valley Homeless in Silicon Valley Blog & Resource Page SPUR Housing Policy (SF Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association) Storied Streets Archives
May 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed
|
Office HoursOffice hours Monday through Thursday 10am-3pm or by appointment. Please call before coming by.
Closed Fridays and Saturdays HOliday ClosuresMonday, May 25th - Memorial Day
|
|
|
|
|