As we enter the final days of our Holiday Gift Drive, we are reminded of the power of legacy, love, and community through Vivian’s story.
Vivian found us through google, looking for a way to serve her community. She lost her mother, Audrey, in 2020 after a long battle with breast cancer. Audrey was known for her generosity, and she passed that spirit on to her daughter. To honor her mother’s memory, Vivian hosted a “Giving Party” at her home—inviting friends to celebrate, share food, and bring items from Building Futures’ wishlist. She called it Audrey’s Closet.
She’s continuing this beautiful tradition in honor of her late father, A.C., calling it A.C.’s Closet. Surrounded by family and friends, Vivian and her daughter LaShae gathered 10 boxes of donations and raised $1,700 for families in our programs. They were moved to tears by the love their community poured in.
This is more than a donation drive.
This is a tribute to ancestors who taught us what giving means.
This is how one family’s love becomes a light for many others.
✨ To everyone who has already donated—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ✨ And if you’re planning to give, don’t delay!
You can leave the shopping to us and make an online donation. Your generosity ensures families, individuals, and children experience warmth, dignity, and joy this holiday season.
Short on time? Big on heart? Let us do the shopping—sponsor holiday joy with a gift.
Your contribution ensures that every woman, teen, and child in our care receives something chosen with love and dignity. You make the magic possible; we handle the wrapping.
With great sadness, Building Futures honors the late Stephen Cassidy (1964-2025). Many knew Stephen as San Leandro’s former mayor, a SLUSD board member, and a key voice behind revenue measures for the city and its schools. Others knew of his dedication to the arts. One of the quiet ways he showed his concern for people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence was to serve on Building Futures’ Board of Directors. For years after his service, the agency and its leaders continued to benefit from Stephen’s ideas, generosity, and listening ear. He leaves behind a powerful legacy. Rest in peace, Stephen Cassidy.
“I need a light to show me the way, and there you are.” — Paulette
These words remind us what community truly means. Your support has helped transform real lives—ensuring women, teens, and children can take meaningful steps toward stability and joy this holiday season.
✨ Tomorrow, December 9th, is the last day to drop off new, unwrapped gifts for our Holiday Toy Drive! Thanks to local businesses and partners, we now have drop-off locations across Alameda, making it easier than ever to give.
If you can’t make it in person, you can still support families by: 🔗 Visiting our website 🛍️ Contributing to our wishlist 💛 Making a donation
Every contribution brings warmth, care, and dignity to families in our programs. Thank you for being the light. ... See MoreSee Less
A huge thank you to @Iron Creed Motorcycle Club for their gifts to our holiday drive! Want to join them? It’s so easy to make a difference.
Just drop off a new, unwrapped gift at one of our toy drive locations and help bring joy to families in our care. Every single gift matters—and together, we can make this season brighter for our neighbors.
Thank you for showing up for community. 💛 Let’s keep the giving going! Bring gifts by Tues 12/9
Did you know you can drop off gifts and toys for our Holiday Toy Drive in Alameda at Island Savoy Market, Toy Safari, Alameda Library, AND City Hall?
There’s still time to support families this season! We’re collecting new, unwrapped gifts to brighten the holidays for the women, teens, and children in our care.
📍 Island Savoy Market — 1200 Lincoln Ave, Alameda 📍 Toy Safari —1410 Park St, Alameda 📍 Alameda Free Library — 1550 Oak St, Alameda 📍 City Hall — 2263 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda
Every donation brings warmth, joy, and a sense of belonging to families who need it most. Thank you for helping us continue a tradition rooted in love, compassion, and community. ✨
Together, we can make the holidays brighter. More info on how to get involved is on our website! 🫶🏽
❄️🏃♀️ The 2025 Midway Shelter Winter Run is THIS WEEKEND!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 6th at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal in Alameda. Every mile you run helps provide safety, compassion, and stability for women and children at Midway Shelter.
🌊 Scenic Course Highlights Take in the stunning Bay Farm Island shoreline on a flat, out-and-back trail with sweeping views of San Francisco and the Alameda coast. This year’s route has been expanded along Harbor Bay Parkway to welcome our ever-growing community of runners!
👟 Fun for Kids: Half-mile shoreline loop. 🚗 Easy Parking: Available on-site at the Ferry Terminal. 🥤 Refreshments: Snacks and drinks waiting for you at the finish line.
💙 Run With Purpose Midway Shelter—powered by the partnership of Alameda Homeless Network and Building Futures—has been a lifeline for women and children since 1989. Your participation helps sustain that life-changing work.
Bring your community, lace up, and join us for a meaningful morning on the bay! ... See MoreSee Less
🎄 Spread Holiday Cheer in Three Simple Ways! 🎄 Join us in making the season brighter for the women, children, and teens in our programs. By contributing to our toy drive!
Here’s how you can help:
1️⃣ Give Online
2️⃣ Send Gifts from the Wish List
3️⃣ Drop Off New Gifts (by 12/9)
Links and more details in the comments! 💙✨ Thank you for helping bring warmth and joy to families this holiday season! ✨💙 ... See MoreSee Less
Your support brings comfort, hope, and stability to individuals and families working hard to rebuild their lives. And the impact shows in their words:
• “I need a light to show me the way, and there you are.” —Paulette • “The way Building Futures is makes me think of my mom.” —Reginald • “You have brightened so many days. I am grateful.” —Cassie
Because of you, families find safety. Survivors find healing. Neighbors find home.
For 37 years, our community has walked beside Building Futures—and this year, your generosity has meant more than ever. Thank you for choosing compassion, connection, and care.
If you’d like to continue supporting this work, please consider a year-end gift: bfwc.org/donate
With gratitude, from all of us at Building Futures. ... See MoreSee Less
As we enter the final days of our Holiday Gift Drive, we are reminded of the power of legacy, love, and community through Vivian’s story.
Vivian found us through google, looking for a way to serve her community. She lost her mother, Audrey, in 2020 after a long battle with breast cancer. Audrey was known for her generosity, and she passed that spirit on to her daughter. To honor her mother’s memory, Vivian hosted a “Giving Party” at her home—inviting friends to celebrate, share food, and bring items from Building Futures’ wishlist. She called it Audrey’s Closet.
She’s continuing this beautiful tradition in honor of her late father, A.C., calling it A.C.’s Closet. Surrounded by family and friends, Vivian and her daughter LaShae gathered 10 boxes of donations and raised $1,700 for families in our programs. They were moved to tears by the love their community poured in.
This is more than a donation drive.
This is a tribute to ancestors who taught us what giving means.
This is how one family’s love becomes a light for many others.
✨ To everyone who has already donated—thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
✨ And if you’re planning to give, don’t delay!
You can leave the shopping to us and make an online donation. Your generosity ensures families, individuals, and children experience warmth, dignity, and joy this holiday season.
Thank you for carrying the light forward. bfwc.org/holiday-donate/ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Short on time? Big on heart? Let us do the shopping—sponsor holiday joy with a gift.
Your contribution ensures that every woman, teen, and child in our care receives something chosen with love and dignity. You make the magic possible; we handle the wrapping.
Be the spark that brightens a family’s holiday.
PICTURED HERE: Mason’s of San Leandro ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
With great sadness, Building Futures honors the late Stephen Cassidy (1964-2025). Many knew Stephen as San Leandro’s former mayor, a SLUSD board member, and a key voice behind revenue measures for the city and its schools. Others knew of his dedication to the arts. One of the quiet ways he showed his concern for people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence was to serve on Building Futures’ Board of Directors. For years after his service, the agency and its leaders continued to benefit from Stephen’s ideas, generosity, and listening ear. He leaves behind a powerful legacy. Rest in peace, Stephen Cassidy.
#Thankful #BuildingFutures #InMemoryOf #SanLeandro #StephenCassidy ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
“I need a light to show me the way, and there you are.” — Paulette
These words remind us what community truly means. Your support has helped transform real lives—ensuring women, teens, and children can take meaningful steps toward stability and joy this holiday season.
✨ Tomorrow, December 9th, is the last day to drop off new, unwrapped gifts for our Holiday Toy Drive!
Thanks to local businesses and partners, we now have drop-off locations across Alameda, making it easier than ever to give.
If you can’t make it in person, you can still support families by:
🔗 Visiting our website
🛍️ Contributing to our wishlist
💛 Making a donation
Every contribution brings warmth, care, and dignity to families in our programs.
Thank you for being the light. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
A huge thank you to @Iron Creed Motorcycle Club for their gifts to our holiday drive! Want to join them? It’s so easy to make a difference.
Just drop off a new, unwrapped gift at one of our toy drive locations and help bring joy to families in our care. Every single gift matters—and together, we can make this season brighter for our neighbors.
Thank you for showing up for community. 💛
Let’s keep the giving going! Bring gifts by Tues 12/9
www.bfwc.org/holiday
#bayarea #giftdrive ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Did you know you can drop off gifts and toys for our Holiday Toy Drive in Alameda at Island Savoy Market, Toy Safari, Alameda Library, AND City Hall?
There’s still time to support families this season! We’re collecting new, unwrapped gifts to brighten the holidays for the women, teens, and children in our care.
📍 Island Savoy Market — 1200 Lincoln Ave, Alameda
📍 Toy Safari —1410 Park St, Alameda
📍 Alameda Free Library — 1550 Oak St, Alameda
📍 City Hall — 2263 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda
Every donation brings warmth, joy, and a sense of belonging to families who need it most. Thank you for helping us continue a tradition rooted in love, compassion, and community. ✨
Together, we can make the holidays brighter. More info on how to get involved is on our website! 🫶🏽
#christmas #christmas2025 #Christmas #christmastree #christmasgifts ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
❄️🏃♀️ The 2025 Midway Shelter Winter Run is THIS WEEKEND!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 6th at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal in Alameda. Every mile you run helps provide safety, compassion, and stability for women and children at Midway Shelter.
🌊 Scenic Course Highlights
Take in the stunning Bay Farm Island shoreline on a flat, out-and-back trail with sweeping views of San Francisco and the Alameda coast.
This year’s route has been expanded along Harbor Bay Parkway to welcome our ever-growing community of runners!
👟 Fun for Kids: Half-mile shoreline loop.
🚗 Easy Parking: Available on-site at the Ferry Terminal.
🥤 Refreshments: Snacks and drinks waiting for you at the finish line.
💙 Run With Purpose
Midway Shelter—powered by the partnership of Alameda Homeless Network and Building Futures—has been a lifeline for women and children since 1989. Your participation helps sustain that life-changing work.
Bring your community, lace up, and join us for a meaningful morning on the bay! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🎄 Spread Holiday Cheer in Three Simple Ways! 🎄
Join us in making the season brighter for the women, children, and teens in our programs. By contributing to our toy drive!
Here’s how you can help:
1️⃣ Give Online
2️⃣ Send Gifts from the Wish List
3️⃣ Drop Off New Gifts (by 12/9)
Links and more details in the comments! 💙✨ Thank you for helping bring warmth and joy to families this holiday season! ✨💙 ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
We want to take a moment to say thank you.
Your support brings comfort, hope, and stability to individuals and families working hard to rebuild their lives. And the impact shows in their words:
• “I need a light to show me the way, and there you are.” —Paulette
• “The way Building Futures is makes me think of my mom.” —Reginald
• “You have brightened so many days. I am grateful.” —Cassie
Because of you, families find safety.
Survivors find healing.
Neighbors find home.
For 37 years, our community has walked beside Building Futures—and this year, your generosity has meant more than ever. Thank you for choosing compassion, connection, and care.
If you’d like to continue supporting this work, please consider a year-end gift: bfwc.org/donate
With gratitude, from all of us at Building Futures. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook