Denise Chilow

LifeMoves

LifeMoves is the largest and most effective nonprofit committed to ending the cycle of homelessness for families and individuals in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Our successful and multi-faceted therapeutic service model combines clean, modern housing with intensive supportive services that promote dignity and respectfully motivate our clients to achieve autonomy. LifeMoves programs combat homelessness today – and tomorrow – by teaching comprehensive life skills that help our clients achieve long-term self-sufficiency, and effectively break the cycle of homelessness. Our innovative and effective program model requires accountability from our clients. The LifeMoves program helps clients understand the root cause of their homelessness and then focuses them on developing core competencies and the skills they need to succeed for the long-term. Similarly, our in-depth programming for children provides academic support to help bridge achievement gaps, and physical and mental health support to address the extensive issues caused by the trauma homelessness. The focus is on maximizing opportunities for homeless youth to help them mature into self-sufficient adults and to end intergenerational poverty which leads to homelessness. Through these carefully designed programs – and with the support of 275 employees and 12,000 volunteers – LifeMoves is able to serve 9,350 homeless clients and provide 244,000 nights of shelter annually. The impact of LifeMoves programs and services is tremendous: Last year, 86% of families and 68% of individuals engaged in our shelter programs successfully returned to stable housing and self-sufficency.