Major Homelessness Shelter Faces Potential Funding Cuts

Photo for The Santa Clara by Sean Rossmeissl

Near the bustling street of El Camino Real stands a large red building in a neighborhood of modern houses and apartment complexes. Though the building may have been renovated, the purpose remains the same: to help youths and families in need.

Each year, roughly 5,000 children, young adults and families are assisted by the Bill Wilson Center in Santa Clara County. The center provides different types of housing, counseling, meals and important help to those in need. Recent changes in federal administration may put these services at risk.

Bill Wilson Center members have begun sounding the alarm as President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce federal funding places the center at risk of losing up to a fifth of its funding.

“That first week sent a lot of fear not only to social servants, agencies, schools, etc., but to our clients and staff," said Robin Reynolds, the marketing and communications manager at the Bill Wilson Center, "They're thinking: 'Am I still going to have a place to call home?’” 

In the early 1970s, Bill Wilson, a former Santa Clara City Councilman and Mayor, worked with faculty at Santa Clara University to create a center that would focus on child and family therapy.  It opened its doors in 1973 under the name “The Webster Center,” but ended up changing its name to honor Wilson after his passing in 1977.  

The organization now operates 27 sites in Santa Clara County in cities such as Santa Clara and San Jose. The original site still exists roughly two blocks off of Santa Clara University's campus, and serves as one of the four public access sites.

The center is composed of “primarily transitional housing sites, with four public facing access sites for people looking for help,” said Reynolds. “The Bill Wilson Center primarily serves youths, families and individuals in a range of housing, mental health services, support services and advocacy.”

The Safety Net Shelter Program, offered by the center, serves as a youth shelter:It's really the primary agency for youths to receive services,” said Reynolds. “The Safety Net Shelter that is here is the only one of its kind in the county.”