By Megan Ma

JOE HU/TOWN CRIER Tom Myers, executive director of the Community Services Agency of Mountain View-Los Altos, addresses Alpha Omega supporters March 8 at Los Altos United Methodist Church.

Local church and community members said goodbye to the Alpha Omega homeless shelter program in a ceremony last week at the Los Altos United Methodist Church.

After 16 years of service, the temporary shelter program, which rotated monthly among local churches, will transition toward a wider-reaching regional model to aid Santa Clara County’s estimated 7,600 homeless.

Adopting a new model in partnership with existing Santa Clara County homeless services allows the local homeless better long-term options. The Community Services Agency (CSA), which coodinated the shelter, will spearhead an effort to make more permanent, low-income housing available, according to Tom Myers, CSA executive director.

“We are still committed to the issue of homelessness and will continue to help those in need in our community,” he said.

Myers acknowledged the enormous efforts of church volunteers at 16 area churches and faith-based groups outside the Christian community. From drivers and doctors to counselors and cooks, the community support was tremendous, he said.

During its tenure, the program assisted and housed 656 homeless men and women.

Myers also thanked financial supporters, including the cities of Mountain View and Los Altos which, he said, “continued to be the only government sources of funding.”

He applauded local civic groups such as Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and the Girl Scouts for their generous aid over the years.

Although it was hard to let go of a program so close to their hearts, more people will ultimately benefit from the transition, said the Rev. Matt Broadbent of Los Altos United Methodist, who headed the Alpha Omega steering committee on the decision.

Based on independent decisions from the Alpha Omega church committees and a CSA board task force, the CSA board of directors accepted the recommendation to end the program Dec. 8.

Both parties cited a lack of funding and a desire to shift toward a regional model.

CSA officials will continue to refer clients to Santa Clara County housing agencies and to services conforming to the county’s 10-year plan for ending homelessness.

Now, the major goal will be to secure permanent housing options for clients, said Maureen Wadiak, associate director of CSA.

“No matter how hospitable we want to be, a church floor and a foam mat is not home,” said Broadbent, who agreed that establishing permanent housing should be the first priority.

Alpha Omega began in 1989 in partnership with CSA to provide temporary services to the local homeless - including housing, food and job counseling services.

An outpouring of volunteer and financial support allowed the program to survive and flourish beyond its expected four-year run, Myers said.

For more information, visit www.csacares.org/programs.