History

The Living Room was founded in 1993 by members of the Church of the Incarnation in Santa Rosa, out of their concern for the increasing number of homeless women and children. They called the program The Living Room, to convey a safe and nurturing place for women and children.

Original services included a loving, warm, and safe environment where coffee and instant beverages and soups were served to an average of 5 women per day, 3 days a week. In just one short year, client visits increased to nearly 1500. By 1996, client visits increased to 4400. The hours of operation increased to a five-day schedule when it became obvious that client needs exceeded the current program operation. By the close of the year 2002, The Living Room received over 14,000 client visits, and has continued to record 10,000-13,000 visits every year since.

Today, The Living Room clients are welcomed in a sunny, homelike environment. They are provided with support and services that are needed to provide emergency and temporary supportive social services to enable their own capabilities for independence and self-sufficiency.

The community as a whole, benefits when its residents are supported in meeting their most basic human, spiritual, and financial needs.