The Future. - Argosy University

San FranciscoBuilding brighter futures forwomen and children in crisisThe mission of Building Futures with Women and Children is to help women and children in crisis become safely andsupportively housed, free from homelessness and family violence. Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area is helpingthe agency meet its goals with a range of support services and volunteer activities to assist the group.Building Futures, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization formed in 1988, is based in San Leandro with programs throughoutAlameda County. Their programs include two emergency homeless shelters with 55 beds; a domestic violence safehouse with 20 beds; 52 units of temporary and permanent supportive housing; a 24-hour crisis line; a children’sprogram; and a domestic violence outreach program. “In response to the economic crisis which is forcing morefamilies into homelessness, we implemented two new homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing programs,”said the organization. More than 675 women and children are housed and provided services each year through theagency’s programs.Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area began its partnership with Building Futures with Women and Childrenduring EDMC’s 2009 National Week of Service. The campus has been working with the agency since that time,volunteering and helping provide services at Bessie Coleman Court (BCC). Located at the former Alameda Naval AirStation, BCC provides 22 units of transitional and 30 units of permanent housing for survivors of domestic violence.The shelter offers comprehensive support services, transportation and job search assistance designed to help women rebuild their lives andbecome independent and capable of caring for themselves and their children.The initial campus outreach helped to provide a range of service activities that assist with living conditions at BCC. Volunteers from thecampus converted storage rooms at BCC into a food pantry, complete with donated food and household items, and a fitting room withdonated clothing for women and children. The weeklong construction project culminated with a barbeque for BCC residents provided byArgosy University students and employees, along with face painting and hat making activities for children living in the complex.Later that year, Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area began an annual toy drive for Building Futures with Women and Children.Since that time, the campus has participated in the agency’s Resource Fair, providing activities for residents and their children, and assistsin serving meals at the BCC’s annual Thanksgiving dinner for residents. Additional ongoing support activities include clothing, schoolsupplies and monetary donation drives.“Building Futures with Women and Children is a wonderful organization for Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area to partner with,”said Lewis Bundy, director of Student Services for the campus. “It affords our employees and students the opportunity to make an impactin the community and to help an agency that provides critical services and support to women and children in need.”