LifeMoves | Administrative Office - Santa Clara, California

Gadfield K.

The Church and LifeMoves Help the Homeless in the San Francisco Bay Area

Latter-day Saints also donate time and labor to help prepare new “navigation center...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is collaborating with the nonprofit LifeMoves to support the opening of a 240-bed facility for people experiencing homelessness in the San Francisco Bay area. The goal of this innovative $55 million navigation center in Redwood City, California, is to assist those in need to return to long-term stable housing.

Navigation centers provide a dignified place to stay for individuals experiencing homelessness while they receive all the services necessary to help them on their way back into long-term stable housing, employment and self-sufficiency.

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the center was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Aubrey Merriman, CEO of LifeMoves, said this new building will benefit people from all walks of life.

“Families, veterans, elderly, children — you know that you’re doing important work when you see children who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness,” Merriman said. “There are people that are one sort of speed bump away from a health issue, a loss of job, falling off a sobriety track. But for the grace of a higher power, that could be us, right?”

In coordination with a group of local congregations, the Church has provided a large grant to help furnish the new facility with bedding, pillows, towels, welcome mats, laundry baskets, alarm clocks, toiletries and other personal items. In addition, around 150 local Latter-day Saints stepped up to volunteer on two different weekends in March and April to organize these items and then set them up in each room.

In the days and weeks preceding the opening, Merriman worked alongside volunteers as they helped prepare the navigation center to welcome its first residents. He explained why Latter-day Saints and others were so eager to help.

“People want to be a part of the solution,” Merriman suggested. “People generally want to go from being on the sideline and spectators to participating in the sport of changing lives. And that’s what today is about.”

Lynnelle Bilsey, senior manager of volunteer programs at LifeMoves, shared her excitement to see Latter-day Saints donate their time to help.

“I love working with faith-based organizations because I love seeing faith in action,” said Bilsey. “And that’s one of my big goals — helping people put their faith into action and rolling up sleeves and seeing how easy it is to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Images courtesy of the Church of Jsus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Ruben D. L. C.

Although I appreciate my stay at J.S.I. , I am very disappointed at the directors and lazy staff there. I was verbally assaulted by Jackie when she approached me at night in the dorm I was in. She came pointing and yelling at me, but I was the one to get kicked out because of her nonsense. TOTALLY UNFAIR AND DISRESPECTFUL STAFF......

I D.

LifeMoves !!! Horrible. Well let me tell you .I am working as full time employee for a good company but I have to moved out from my apartment . The housing crisis started and rent increased and I can not find anything which I can qualified or afford . I end up in LifeMoves shelter on Maple Street. The case workers are incompetent but can and will collect your money and gave you advice to look for places that is all. (no voucher ether).. They don't help and they do not follow up ether. After 6 months they will help you to pack and they will kick you up if you found place or not. What I was shocked was that after me they kicked out another three older woman because they were over 6 months limit. These woman did not have place to go and were scare
and really afraid so to be safe they decided to be close and they parked and sleep in their cars on the same public street as shelter . The shelter did not help them , they were angry with them .This kind homeless Maple shelter restricted anyone from the shelter to gave these lady even leftover food and they said if they will share they will be also kick out from the shelter . The shelter decided to throw the food instead.... I was sad when they told me. I will also share with you the another facts what kind a lifeMoves shelter is . This shelter is located between Facebook and Oracle in Bay Area. If you wish to experience trauma get in. If you do not know what is sleep deprivation after months you will get it. also. Every night someone man or woman around at 3 am will shining your face with flashlight . They will wake up you early in the morning with scream and with several loud announcements and working demands. Lets me talk about the free cuisine. I experience the food be expired or molded and leftover food . This food were offered and presented.. Sometime churches will come on Sunday and treat us of nice breakfast and once a year one organization will decorated and prepared fantastic food but that it. If you was not depressed you will be. I still have trauma from it. I am still homeless at it is already more than 2,5 years and no help , no help from this organization which advertised to help but doesn't delivered. I believe they can help with all the donations they got it if they located the assets to the homeless people at least for vouchers or to get places.

Sunshine

Two years ago, when I was homeless. Myself, and my then Pitbull Remy were living in my car. Life moves helped US out. I will be forever Grateful. RIP REMY. YOU carried US through. One LoVe 🐾🐾

C

Recently had the chance to see the MT center and was very impressed with just how dignifying of an experience the residents could enjoy. Would love to see more of this approach. 5 stars.

N

The clueless leading the homeless. They need to help themselves first and hire some proper leadership

Misty O.

Life moves is a touching blessing happy faithful situation that is provided to the homeless and the staff is more than wonderful I recommended it's a neat experience

Darko D.

Thanks for suport. Worm Regards from Croatia.