There are hundreds of families who find themsleves temporarily in need of shelter and support. The reasons are varied and include, but are not limited to: domestic violence, eviction, job loss, recent arrival in the Bay Area; seperation or divorce. Wether it is a whole family unit or a single parent, every family desrves a place of safety for themselves, and their children. Without assistance, family members, and especially the children, are at risk for medical problems, abuse, violence, poverty, and crime.

The families that enter the shelter all have one thing in common -- they have reached a crisis in their lives. Staying at Raphael House provides a critical opportunity to take steps to positively change their current situation. In 2007 the average length of a family's stay was 79 days. However, families can stay at Raphael House up until 6 months if they are actively particiating in all aspects of the program.

Located in the renovated Golden Gate Hospital on Sutter Street, up to fifty people (12-15 families at a time) are temporarily housed in seventeen private bedrooms. Open for the families 24 hours per day, Raphael House has comfortable dining rooms, after-school tutoring facility, children's play rooms, a library, community rooms, a laundry facility, a resource center with computers and other office equipment, and a rooftop garden and play area. One of the modern amenities we do not provide is television. In its place we offer a wide variety of activities for children and parents alike.