Fond farewell to the Alpha Omega

Back in 1989, a group of Los Altos-area churches and the Community Services Agency (CSA) took it upon themselves to address the homeless problem by giving “unhoused” local residents food and temporary shelter.

The program was supposed to be a short-term solution. As many as 15 local churches took monthly turns providing a portion of their facilities to house the homeless. Buoyed by grant money and caring volunteers, Alpha Omega ended up lasting 16 years.

Looking to put available funding to more cost-effective use, the CSA board in December decided to end the Alpha Omega shelter program. Foothills Congregational Church in Los Altos finished out the program’s shelter rotation schedule this month. A farewell event was held last week.

Those involved have mixed feelings about the program’s demise. We understand the hesitancy in switching from a local to regional solution, as program coordinator CSA is doing. Church officials, on one hand, saw close up by offering the shelters, that they were making a difference. As Alpha Omega transitions to a case management program, with a web of referrals to other agencies and shelters, that firsthand satisfaction will be missing.

On the other hand, those involved say the transition is all for the best - especially for the homeless clients. Community builders are now focused on pooling resources to provide more permanent housing as they look to participate in an ambitious Santa Clara County plan to end homelessness over a 10-year period. The idea, proven a success in other communities, is that one starts first with permanent housing as a base from which people can put their lives back together.

Such a plan seems unrealistic on the surface. Santa Clara County’s homeless currently numbers around 7,600 and the enormous cost of living isn’t likely to change. Success also depends on the willingness of the homeless themselves. A significant number are beyond help. However, even if programs address the equally significant number of poor souls down on their luck who just need some time to get back on their feet, then the efforts will have been worth it.

Meanwhile, those who have worked in the Alpha Omega shelter program deserve a big round of applause. Their caring efforts have made all the difference in the world to hundreds of homeless residents over 16 years. People close to the program estimated that 60 percent of those who spent time in shelters at local churches have since gone on to secure permanent housing.

It would be fantastic if that number were higher. But the fact that 15 local churches came together to share their space for so long is highly commendable.

We look forward to continued local involvement in finding better solutions for our homeless population. The task ahead is difficult, but we’re confident our caring and humane volunteer community will continue to make a difference.