Stockton, CA – Today, San Joaquin County (County) and United Way of San Joaquin County (United Way) launched a six-month, text-to-give fund raising pilot in the City of Stockton called Caring Through Giving. This program enables individuals to make donations from their mobile device in support of nonprofit agencies who provide shelter and other services to unhoused individuals and families in the City of Stockton.
“Building upon a concept created by former County Supervisor, Chuck Winn, the Caring Through Giving text program will establish a mechanism of giving versus panhandling to reduce the percentage of homeless individuals on our streets and direct them to resources and services,” said Supervisor Miguel Villapudua, Vice Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. “It will provide a system of support for people across the County to contribute directly to the agencies who support the homeless. Using this technology via a mobile phone, people can easily contribute within minutes to help our most needy residents.”
Inspired by the Christopher Gardner story made famous in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happiness, the program’s goals are to 1) provide residents with an easy way to financially support select sheltering non-profits in Stockton; 2) provide residents with options to give directly to shelters opposed to giving money directly to an unhoused individual; 3) provide the selected sheltering non-profits with additional funding to support their operations.
The County engaged with United Way to manage the GiveSmart technology platform. The United Way will report on and distribute 100 percent of donations made through the GiveSmart platform to selected organizations at quarterly intervals (twice) during the six-month pilot. The program will be evaluated for potential expansion in January 2024.
About the recipient organizations:
Haven of Peace - Haven of Peace is a shelter for up to 35 homeless women and children located in French Camp. They offer case management, provide a variety of classes to residents such as life skills, parenting, budgeting and computer classes. Residents are referred to other agencies for assistance with domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health and other issues.
St. Mary’s Dining Room – Located in Stockton, St. Mary’s Dining Room responds to poverty in San Joaquin County by feeding the hungry, caring for health issues and restoring human dignity to over 700 individuals each day.
PREVAIL - Since 1976, PREVAIL (Pioneering Restoration and Elevating Voices of Advocacy, Idealism and Leadership) has been San Joaquin County’s primary provider of free, confidential services and shelters specifically designed to meet the needs of homeless and runaway youth and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
“Helping our nonprofits is important for the health of our communities and the Caring is Giving program is one way for us to lift up the lives of the homeless using technology,” said United Way of San Joaquin County President and CEO, Kristen Birtwhistle. “Contributions to Caring Through Giving is a positive donation to helping those nonprofits who help the homeless. United Way of San Joaquin County is proud to partner with San Joaquin County as we join our hearts together to direct funds to these three important agencies.”
To support the pilot, text “209HOME” to 40403 or online through the United Way.
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