Gilead House is a faith-based transitional home for single mothers in need located in Novato, California. Soroptimist International of Novato is a major supporter of this program that is designed to provide local women with not only housing, but also the skills and support they need to build a sustainable, healthy life for themselves and their families.
Gilead House’s (GH) origins can be traced back to 1997, when several members of BayMarin Community Church in Marin County, California were looking for ways to get their congregation more involved in the community. Some initial research revealed that there were more than 1,200 homeless children living in Marin at any given time, many of them under the care of a single mother (the number has gone up since then!).
Gilead House was formed as a response to this tremendous need. After a great deal of research, planning, and fund-raising, a 4-bedroom house in a quiet neighborhood was leased to serve as the first site of GH. Location was critical, because from the beginning the goal was to place families in an environment that felt like a home rather than a shelter or institution.
The first 3 families moved into GH in October of 1999, and since that time the Board, House Manager, and Executive Director have worked hard to fine-tune the program and help resident families transform their futures. To date, Gilead House has served 39 women and 55 children, and has been privileged to see dramatic changes in individual lives. Also, the network of church partners has grown to include 7 congregations who participate in the work of GH in some way.
