About Us

A vast majority of homeless women have experienced severe challenges in their life often related to their health, relationships, and/or finances. Research tells us acute health crises, chronic illness, addiction, mental illness, domestic abuse and long-term disabilities are intrinsically linked to homelessness. These conditions can cause a downward spiral of job loss, depletion of savings, eviction and homelessness. Then in a vicious circle, lack of affordable housing and having to cope with adversity exacerbates these conditions. Without the right care, shelter and safety, homeless women are left feeling empty, worthless and vulnerable and the cycle of homelessness continues. They need personal attention, guidance and support to change the trajectory of their life.

Founded in 2014, Gathering for Women (GFW), a non-profit organization based in Monterey California, provides a safe, dignified walk-in center so homeless and at risk women can access valuable resources and address both their short and longer term needs. No other center on the Monterey Peninsula provides the same level of service to women who are homeless.

GFW’s resource center provides a safe, supportive haven and access to social and human services which help women gain the hope, skills and resources they need to lead more productive, meaningful, and self-sufficient lives. Gathering for Women sets a high standard in social services on the Monterey Peninsula through dedication to compassionate, comprehensive, responsive and personalized support. Understanding there is not a “one size fits all solution” and that each woman is an individual with their own history, circumstances, challenges, hopes and dreams, the GFW team is dedicated to personalized care.

The GFW team honors each woman’s goals, priorities and preferences and through compassionate care helps improve the quality of life of our guests. GFW’s range of programs, and those of our community partners, help address the guest’s physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, educational and financial needs and present a platform for stability. GFW is dedicated to helping women heal, regain their strength and confidence, rebuild their lives, and stay on a healthy, safe and independent path.

• Where homeless women can get a hot meal, free clothing and limited emergency assistance.
• Where health, mental health, and other service providers can connect with homeless women.
• Where homeless women can learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy.
• Where the community can learn from homeless women about their needs.
• Where housing providers can connect with, screen, and place women into permanent housing.

Gathering for Women is a non-profit organization funded through grants and individual and organizational contributions. We also accept donations for our Clothes Closet. Please email our Program Facilitator, Anjanette Love, at clothescloset​@gatheringforwomen.org or visit our Clothes Closet Donations page for more details.

Our mission is to provide homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula supportive resources and a caring community. resources and a caring community.

Our vision is for the unhoused and housing insecure women on the Monterey Peninsula to live a healthier more secure life that includes a pathway out of homelessness or housing insecurity.

Along the pathway out of homelessness, Gathering for Women provides the care, the support, and the dignity a woman needs to remain safe and healthy as she seeks affordable housing and a more sustainable and secure future.

We provide hot, nutritious meals, clothing, showers, comprehensive case management support, limited emergency assistance, education to promote a woman’s health and safety, job training, access to free basic health care, and connection to other community services and providers.

Our volunteers are at the heart of Gathering for Women. We could not do what we do without their gift of time and talent. Our volunteers are very dedicated and serve our center daily. We are fortunate to have dozens of women and men volunteering with us. Weekly, we average over 50 individual volunteers who work at the center to welcome and sign in our guests for the day’s activities, distribute clothing and personal care items, and provide breakfast, lunch, and social services. We have learned that we can make a difference in the lives of our guests by providing them encouragement, a safe place, a good meal, a listening ear, and a smile. Click here to learn how to become a volunteer.

Dear Friends,

Today marks the day that our five founders, Kathleen Baker, Carol Greenwald, Mary Eileen Kiniry, Catherine Metz and Flo Miller, alongside a team of volunteers, held the very first “Gathering” lunch. Ten years later we have a Day Center focused on the day time needs of homeless and housing-insecure women on the Peninsula which is open six days a week.

On March 23rd we celebrated our anniversary early with around 60 attendees. Joy filled the room as donors, volunteers, Board, staff and guests sampled Tina’s fantastic treats, wine and sparkling water. We made our “big announcement” – that we had purchased the property directly adjacent to us. A Community Impact Investment loan from the Community Foundation for Monterey County enabled us to pay off the mortgage balloon payment and to purchase the property located at 141 El Dorado Street. This purchase will enable us to expand our services, and as we look to next year and beyond, we will be asking input from our supporters, staff, volunteers and guests on how this opportunity can help us support the homeless and housing insecure women on our Peninsula even more.

I shared this poem by Jodi Hills at our anniversary celebration:

She wasn’t where she had been. She wasn’t where she was going…but she was on her way. And on her way she enjoyed food that wasn’t fast, friendships that held, hearts glowing, hearts breaking, smiles that caught tears, paths trudged and alleys skipped. And on her way she no longer looked for the answers, but held close the two things she knew for sure. One, if a day carried strength in the morning, peace in the evening, and a little joy in between, it was a good one…and two, you can live completely without complete understanding.

Thank you for being our partner these past 10 years and helping our guests on their way.

Staci

Staci M. Alziebler-Perkins
Executive Director