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Our Mission:
InnVision is a primary gateway for homeless families and individuals seeking shelter and resources that lead to self-sufficiency. Our comprehensive system of care promotes self-worth and dignity at multiple facilities throughout Silicon Valley, including shelters, longer-term housing options and service centers, each equipped to meet emergency and transitional needs of diverse, at-risk people.
InnVision is...the Way Home!
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Greetings!  When it comes down to it, we all need a place that we can call our own. I found my home at InnVision 24 years ago, and during that time, I have seen our organization guide countless others find their own way home.
Back in 1973, when InnVision began, we wrapped blankets around the cold and the hungry on the streets. Today, we are able to do much more than that. We wrap our clients with love, nourishment, and support, and we bring them into our welcoming facilities that will become their home, if only for a short time.
We give people more than just a place to sleep or a meal to eat. We give them a chance to start afresh and tackle the challenges in their lives that prevent them from being fully independent. Every member of our staff and volunteer corps strives to provide the very best service and support they can to help homeless men, women, and children make it through the most difficult time in their lives.
I am proud that the community from San Jose through Palo Alto has joined me in this critical mission. In this newsletter, you will read about many groups who have donated their time and their treasure to making our facilities a little nicer, a little cheerier, a little more home-like. You recognize, as I do, that when people feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their homes, they can begin to move from crisis, on to stability, and eventually to self-sufficiency. Of course, there is always more work to be done, so read on to find out what a difference InnVision, and you, makes in the lives of tens of thousands of people every year. |
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In Service/Shelter Times
written by Felita McKenzie
All alone in a crowded room
Stone faced people filled with gloom
Despair and sadness seems all around
Lines of people about to drown
Most don't know how they made it here
Trusting helping hands will soon appear
It doesn't help to fear or fret
Things don't get easier and you can't forget
No one here thought life could be like this
What did they do?
What did they miss?
Who changed the rules?
Who changed the game?
When did it happen?
Who's to blame?
They tried to do it all just right
Put up a struggle but still lost the fight
Then someone greets you with a smile
And says they will get you through this trial
You think they're reading your mind when they say
Everyone needs help along life's way
Please don't worry we are here for you
Things will get better, they always do
We will lift you up and help you cope
Don't lose faith, don't lose hope
Believe me, you're not a case or number
It could be me or a family member
Let's sit down and work on things
To see what success it brings
I took an oath to see you through
And that is what I aim to do
My job here is to get you by
Until you're strong enough to fly
My staff and I will do everything
To help you soar and rise again
So know you're in the best of hands
We want to save all we can
I look at her with hesitation
Already she seems to know my question
She touches my arm and softly says
It's ok to feel this way
It happens everywhere and everyday
Believe in what I'm saying is true
When I look at me, I see you
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Rebuilding Together and Swinerton Builders
Renovate Stevens House
 | | Swinerton and Rebuilding Together outside of Stevens House |
Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley and Swinerton Builders recently spent a Saturday doing renovations at InnVision Stevens House. Stevens House is a shared home for men and women diagnosed with mental illness. Swinerton donated $10,000 to Rebuilding Together for improvements to Stevens House and made a hands-on impact by donating their time to the remodel. Neighboring San Jose State University students pitched in as well to make sure that all the improvements were completed. Renovations included painting the exterior, rebuilding and repainting the back deck, replacing flooring in the kitchen, pantry, dining room and two bathrooms, as well as cleaning debris from the backyard.
Rebuilding Together's Green Program focuses on reducing the environmental impact of local buildings. Some of the energy upgrades at Stevens House included installing CFL light bulbs into fixtures, installing accelerators in faucets to conserve water usage, cleaning coils under the refrigerator to ease cooling, and insulating hot water pipes to reduce heat loss. These changes will help save Stevens House on its electricity bills every year! A big thanks to Rebuilding Together, Swinerton Builders, and San Jose State students for renovating Stevens House so beautifully and making it more energy efficient!
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 Program Highlight:
InnVision Healthcare for the Homeless
Taking care of your health, physically and mentally, is a challenge for all of us, but imagine how much more difficult it must be to be homeless. Without insurance, without easy access to transportation, without an idea about where you will live next week, your health becomes your last priority. This has enormous personal and societal costs, due to emergency room visits and chronic health problems that develop as a result of lack of access to health care.
That's why InnVision, with the support of numerous organizations and companies like Kaiser Permanente, runs the InnVision Healthcare for the Homeless program at three of our sites - the Cecil White Center, the Georgia Travis Center, and the Opportunity Services Center.
Case managers work with clients to make sure their health needs and goals are met. They connect them to the following resources:
- on-site medical care (through partnerships with Peninsula Healthcare Connection and Gardner Family Health Services)
- on-site dental clinic (provided by the Homeless Dental Mobile Unit)
- free prescriptions
- healthy and nutritious meals, snacks, groceries, and produce
- nutrition, smoking cessation, and disease prevention/control workshops
- fitness equipment and classes
- mental health and substance abuse groups
- healthy snacks and physical fitness during youth programs
By offering health services at InnVision locations at which clients are already addressing other barriers to self-sufficiency, our program increases the likelihood that homeless and at-risk clients will receive the medical services they need and make their health a priority!
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Acclarent makes a Splash at Kids Summer Adventures!
 | | Kids Summer Adventures beach bags created by Acclarent |
Recently Acclarent CEO Bridget Ross led her company to the Opportunity Services Center during their annual Community Works Day.
The enthusiastic team donated and assembled fun beach bags for the children enrolled in our InnVision Kids Summer Adventures program. Tucked inside each bag was a new beach towel, colorful water bottle, cartoon character toothbrush/paste, sun block, healthy snacks, and a personalized welcome note. The cheerful team also pitched in to organize clothing, bedding and toiletries in the Clothes Closet, where clients may shop at no cost.
The team members shared, "it was such an honor to work with your wonderful organization. We loved that you had us do such a creative project to help bring joy to the children in our community affected by homelessness. The time we spent volunteering with you will leave a lasting impression on us all." Our heartfelt thanks to Acclarent, for they certainly left a lasting impression on our delighted campers!
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InnVision Villa Makeover
 | | Villa Stairwell Before |
InnVision Villa continues to benefit from the love and care of our community! Two volunteer groups have recently completed a few major projects on "the to-do list". First, the Citrix Facilities team volunteered for a day's worth of projects that included painting accent walls a lively plum color. They also constructed a privacy screen around the outdoor deck, so residents can now relax with their children and enjoy the summer weather.
 | | Villa Stairwell After |
The following week, a team from Deloitte & Touche arrived to refurbish the stairwell leading to the downstairs children's area. The stairs are now freshly sanded and brightly painted to help welcome the children into the fun and enriching space.
Thank you so much, Citrix and Deloitte, for all the amazing work you have done to help spruce up our clients' home at InnVision Villa!
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Kids Summer Adventure Camp is in Full Swing
InnVision Kids Summer Adventures is packed with fun field trips, sports and outdoor activities, picnics in the park, art lessons, science exploration, and more! These enthusiastic campers are learning while having fun in a safe and supportive environment.
 | | Sifting through soil at Guadalupe Gardens |
 | | Swinging at the park |
 | | Discovering the joy of computers at the Tech Museum |
 | | Artists at work during a Rainbow Art Studio session |
 | | Learning is fun at the Tech Museum! |
 | | Happy Hollow Zoo Instructor captivates her audience with a gentle snake |
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Summer Donations
InnVision is in need of summertime donations! Please help our clients by donating:
New or Like-New Clothing All Sizes (Including XXL & XXXL) for Men, Women, Children and Teens!
Dresses, Hats, Jeans, Maternity Clothes, New Socks/New Underwear, Sandals, Shirts, Shorts, Tennis Shoes
New or Like-New Infant/Baby Needs
Baby Blankets, Baby Clothes, Baby Sun Screen, Bibs, Diapers (all sizes-
sealed in original packaging), New & Unused Wet Wipes
New or Like-New Linens
Bath & Hand Towels, Beach Towels, Blankets, Pillow Cases, Sheets, Sleeping Bags,
Washcloths
New/Unused Toiletries - Travel or Full Size
Bath Soap, Deodorant, Lotion, Razors, Shampoo/Conditioner, Shaving Cream, Sun Block, Toothbrush, Toothpaste
New Backpacks and School Supplies
Bring your gifts to:
Donation Depot @ Georgia Travis Center
297 Commercial St, San Jose, 93112
Mon-Thu 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
408-453-3124
Opportunity Services Center
33 Encina Ave, Palo Alto, 94025
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
650-853-8672
Thank you for your kindness and support!
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InnVision supporters have been using their S.H.A.R.E.S. cards at an increasing rate. You have now raised more than $3,400 to help feed homeless and at-risk families in Silicon Valley.
If you shop at
Lucky Supermarkets, Save Mart, FoodMaxx or S-Mart, you can help feed the hungry at no cost to you. When you use a S.H.A.R.E.S. card, 3% of each purchase will go to InnVision.
Request a card
here.
Read on for more details.
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Travel as a Fundraiser
Wildland Adventures specializes in authentic Adventure Travel and Ecotourism worldwide. Or you can also choose from many other vacation packages. Your travel can make a difference! Book your hotel or vacation and we will receive a donation.
Click here to read more.
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Have you remembered InnVision in your will?
If you have included InnVision in your estate planning, please contact us so we can make sure we honor your wishes.
Christine Burroughs, CEO, 408-292-4286.
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