East County Seasonal Shelter Will Close
Staff Hope to Find Alternative Housing For All Clients By Contract Expiration

   SAN DIEGO —The East County seasonal shelter for homeless families with children and single adults, located at 1305 North Marshall in El Cajon, will close on Monday, March 31, at 12 p.m., when a contract between the City of El Cajon and St. Vincent de Paul Village expires.

   The project, funded by the city and managed by St. Vincent’s, will have provided 75 days of shelter to 84 children from 48 families, 101 women and 134 men.

   For weeks prior to the shelter’s opening, city officials struggled to identify a site for a seasonal homeless facility in response to local Episcopal priest Father John Conrad’s crusade to offer East County homeless temporary housing over the winter months. Part of Father Conrad’s St. Alban’s Church property became a makeshift tent city for as many as 120 homeless family members with children and single adults.

   During the final week of operation St. Vincent’s staff will work closely with area human services agencies such as Crisis House, the County of San Diego’s Homeless Outreach Program, the McAlister Institute and Home Start to transition shelter residents to other facilities where their rehabilitation can continue.

   "We will make every effort to help our clients identify and transition into other residential living facilities," says Tony Sterzinger, St. Vincent’s seasonal shelter program manager. "It’s our hope that on closing day everyone will have a place to go."

   St. Vincent’s has offered residents of the shelter medical care, drug and alcohol counseling, children’s programs, a job fair and case-management services.

   In addition to funding from the City of El Cajon, the Village also received donations from St. Martin’s and St. Kieran’s Catholic Churches and additional funding from the City of Lemon Grove.

   For more information – media only – on the closing of the city-funded seasonal shelter in El Cajon, call (619) 525-1608.

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