The Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA), a nonprofit organization, enriches quality of life, restores dignity, and reduces homelessness, particularly for those affected by mental illness and HIV/AIDS. MHA strengthens hope by providing shelter, support and opportunities for socialization.

Description:
Spring Street Shelter
The Spring Street Shelter provides emergency shelter and support services for homeless adults with mental illness. Accommodations include separate men's and women's dormitories with a total of 15 beds. There is 24-hour staffing, two meals per day, laundry facilities, and a pay phone for personal use. Residents may stay on the premises during the day; however, the dormitories are closed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The purpose of the program is to help adults with mental illness move from homelessness to stable, long-term housing with the support services appropriate to their needs.

Friendship Centers
The Friendship Center programs are community-based activities that provide recreation and socialization opportunities for adults with mental illness. The purpose of the program is to offer people the opportunity to participate in activities and events that give them a sense of belonging and, for many, an extended and caring family.

Spring Street Transitional Housing
The Spring Street Transitional Housing Program provides housing and support services to homeless adults with a mental illness. Residents live in one of 7 single-occupancy rooms, each with a sink, medicine cabinet, and refrigerator. Other facilities are shared. There is 24-hour staffing, two meals per day, laundry facilities, and a pay phone for personal use. Residents are considered tenants and are required to pay rent according to HUD requirements. The purpose of the program is to assist each resident to gain the skills and stability necessary to move from homelessness into long-term, stable, permanent housing with the support services appropriate to their needs.

Shelter Plus Care
The Shelter Plus Care Program is a collaboration among the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County, the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo, and the Mental Health Services Division of San Mateo County. The Housing Authority provides housing subsidies for privately owned apartments throughout the community; MHA provides support services; and the Mental Health Services Division of San Mateo County provides clinical services. The program gives adults with mental illness the support and assistance necessary to participate in community activities at the highest level of independence possible.

Supportive Housing Voucher Program
The Supportive Housing Program is a collaboration between the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County and the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo. The Housing Authority provides rental subsidies for apartments throughout the community; MHA provides support services. The program offers adults with mental illness the support and assistance necessary to participate in community activities at the highest level of independence possible.

SAYAT

History:
The organization known today as the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County was created over 60 years ago. The MHA began as a volunteer organization providing services to children, and has increased in scale and scope of services over the years since. 1968 -MHA opens the first halfway house in San Mateo County for people returning from state hospitals.
1993 - MHA opens two single-family homes to provide permanent housing for people moving from transitional or emergency shelter.
1994 -MHA opens the Housing and Client Assistance program for people with HIV/AIDS.
1995 - MHA purchases a four-plex in Redwood City and, with Caminar, opens the Young Adult Independent Living (YAIL) program.
1996 - MHA establishes a Community Rehabilitation and Independent Skills (CHRIS) program hiring Occupational Therapists and creates the position of Community Friends.
1997 - MHA begin the Support and Advocacy Program for Young Adults in Transition (SAYAT).
1998 - MHA opens a five-unit apartment building in Burlingame and also begins to provide support services for the 56 residents of the St. Matthew Residential Hotel in downtown San Mateo.
1999 - MHA opens a duplex with eight individual rooms and a four unit, two-bedroom apartment building. MHA collaborates on the program with Caminar, another nonprofit.
2001 - MHA completes construction of its new office at the Spring Street site.
2005 - MHA receives a $500,000 forgivable loan from the State of California for remodeling of its Shelter site.

Contact person: Shane Young, Program Specialist, (phone), (email)
Main office number: (650) 368-3345
Office fax number: (650) 368-9017

Address:

2686 Spring Street Redwood City, CA 94063-3581 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.mhasmc.org

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	No
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	No