Building Futures with Families
BUILDING FUTURES

with Families

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Your support makes a real difference!

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Our Mission

To build communities with underserved individuals and families, where they are safely and supportively housed, free from homelessness and domestic violence.

HOMELESSNESS

HOMELESSNESS

No one should have to sleep in a car, park, or beside a freeway overpass. Since our founding, Building Futures has provided shelters for community members experiencing homelessness. As a housing first agency, our aim is to connect shelter residents to housing.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

In a devastating ripple effect, Domestic Violence affects individuals, families, and communities. Building Futures provides an array of services to help survivors heal, and to equip neighbors, workplaces, churches, and other allies to help.
HOUSING

HOUSING

A stable life begins with housing. Once housed, an individual or family can move forward, with the help of needed supports and services. Building Futures’ Housing Services include permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing programs, housing navigation, and landlord advocacy.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

We count upon monetary support to keep our life-changing services strong. Your donation improves lives, families, and communities!
Want to help by donating move-in kits, holiday gifts, fundamental items like socks or sweats, or household supplies? Check out our wish lists.
“People Power” helps keep Building Futures’ programs and services vibrant and whole. Learn about our volunteer opportunities.

Facebook Posts

On this International Women's Day, March 8th, we come together to celebrate the courage and resilience of all the women and girls within our community.

We pay tribute to the women we serve, the dedicated women on our staff, and the invaluable contributions of our women donors. Together, with wisdom, strength, and love, we strive to foster an environment where individuals can break free from the cycles of domestic violence and homelessness.

Join us in honoring women and mothers by supporting our mission. You can make a meaningful impact by making a secure online donation at www.bfwc.org/donate or by sponsoring our upcoming May 14th event at www.bfwc.org/jazz

International Women's Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, and among others, gives focus to the issue of violence against women. Feliz DĂ­a Internacional de la Mujer!

#InternationalWomensDay #CountingOnCommunity #BuildingFutures #EndHomelessness #EndDomesticViolence #BuildingFutures
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On this Internationa

This Monday, March 2nd, Building Future's Executive Director Liz Varela was presented, alongside other community leaders, with the Women's History Month Proclamation by the City of San Leandro. This honor is in recognition of our long-time dedication to advocating for women in our city. We are grateful to be celebrated as a community pillar for so many families by the City of San Leandro, whose many leaders over the past 37 years have served as steadfast partners in this work to build better futures for all. Happy Women's History Month! ... See MoreSee Less

This Monday, March 2

Jazz It Up! is a special night that brings together friends and longtime supporters who care deeply about our community—250 business leaders, civic partners, and supporters committed to strengthening Alameda County and building resilient futures for all. During this time its also a reminder to celebrate all that we have built together. With proposed federal funding cuts threatening critical services, the support of people who know and believe in this work is critical. We don't waiver, we are here to fill the need, in the good times and the bad.

The funds raised support our homelessness, domestic violence, and housing programs, and help families move into new homes with dignity and stability.

bfwc.org/jazz/
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Jazz It Up! is a spe

We’re heading into rainy season! If you’re looking for a way to shake off the winter blues, here's how: we need some items in our shelters to keep our neighbors warm. This is just one feel good way to make some local good and help us prepare for the next rainfall.

If you have any of the below you can drop them off at the Lewelling Shelter and Drop-In Center San Leandro, and bring some warmth to our community! Please make an appointment before you drop off any item donations.

Immediate need:
-Any gently used men’s clothing
-Rain coats for all
-Shoes

Needed for outreach:
-Sleeping bags
-Blankets
-Tents

bfwc.org/services/lewelling
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We’re heading into

Celebrating Black History Month, today staff of Building Futures gathered to take time and appreciate those who came before us and paved the way. We celebrated and reflected on the strength and the beauty of our communities.

Over lunch, we enjoyed connecting, laughing and delicious homemade food. A highlight was celebrating in our Oakland Office: The Family Housing Resource Center of Family Front Door.

Grateful for our staff. Honored to do this work alongside one another. Everyday.

#2026 #endingfamilyhomelssness #enddomesticviolence #endhomelessness
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Celebrating Black Hi

Save the Date! Join us at Building Futures' annual benefit, Jazz It Up! 2026, on 5/14/26 at 5pm at BLOC15 in Oakland.

Event tickets are $75 and sales begin 3/10, sure to sell out!

www.bfwc.org/jazz
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Jazz It Up! is a high-visibility community event that brings together 250 business leaders, civic partners, and supporters committed to strengthening Alameda County.

Call for Support! Sponsorship of Jazz It Up! includes meaningful brand visibility—both at the event and throughout our marketing—while directly supporting our homeless, domestic violence, and housing programs.

Today, there’s a lot at stake. Proposed federal cuts threaten critical homelessness and domestic violence programs nationwide. But here at home, our community has always stepped up for one another. Now is the time for our supporters to show up. Your Jazz It Up! sponsorship pledge today brings hope, safety, and stability to neighbors who need it most.

#Jazz #CultivateJoy #BuildCommunity #endhomelessness #enddomesticviolence
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Save the Date! Join

Ramadan Mubarak to all who are observing this month. We honor its spirit of compassion, generosity, and care for those in need.

These values are at the heart of everything Building Futures does too. Together our communities show up for our neighbors experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, every single day.

#Ramadan #RamadanMubarak #CommunityFirst
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Ramadan Mubarak to a

💛 February is a time to recommit to love—for ourselves, for each other, and for our community.

At Building Futures, that means showing up for neighbors rebuilding their lives after homelessness and domestic violence—especially children. Last year, more than half of residents at our Midway, San Leandro, and Sister Me Home shelters were kids.

We deliver our services to our young residents with warmth, dignity, and care. Because every child deserves safety, stability, and the chance to thrive.

Community is what makes that possible. ❤️

If you're able to step up, we invite you to join our Circle of Strength as a monthly donor!

Circle of Strength members provide a steady stream of support that keeps Building Futures' programs strong. You're in control—change or stop your monthly gift at any time.

Ready to make an impact? Contact our Development Department at give@bfwc.org
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đź’› February is a t
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Featured Videos

These videos share some of the stories of community members who transitioned from challenging times of homelessness to being safely and permanently housed through Building Futures’ assistance.

Last Year’s Highlights

26,136
nights of shelter provided to 310 people.
2,916
households with deep needs received tailored support around homelessness, domestic violence and housing.
8,338
hours volunteered by dinner donors and local community members.
78,408
meals served at our emergency shelters.
56%
of residents at Midway, San Leandro and Sister Me Home shelters were children