Bill Wilson Center Explained
The Bill Wilson Center (BWC) is a nonprofit organization in Santa Clara, California, that provides support to homeless and runaway children and young adults.[1]
History
Early history
It was founded in 1973 by Bill Wilson,[2] who was a Santa Clara councilman and mayor from 1963 to 1971.[3] Wilson assisted in founding a counseling center for children at Buchser Middle School.[4] Initially called Webster's Education Center when the institutors were attempting to determine the organization's name, it was renamed to the Bill Wilson Center after his unexpected death in 1977 in his early 40s.[3] [4] In 1977, the center obtained a house that acted as a shelter for at most six homeless youth.[4]
The Bill Wilson Center's current CEO is Josh Selo. He joined the organization in 2023.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, the Bill Wilson Center was the first organization in the Santa Clara Valley to "provide comprehensive services -- including transitional housing -- for this often-invisible population" of homeless youth.[5] The organization receives most of its funding from government grants. Since it is uncertain whether the funds will be maintained or augmented to address the children's growing needs, the Bill Wilson Center solicits donations from people and corporations.[4]
2000s
In 2012, the Bill Wilson Center finished developing Peacock Commons, a two-story, 28-unit housing complex for homeless young adults between 18 and 25. It bought the complex in 2007 and began renovating it in February 2012. Residents began moving into Peacock Commons in April 2012. Rent is subsidized by Santa Clara County Mental Health and paid on a sliding scale.[2] On May 23, 2012, Santa Clara County Mental Health Board gave the Bill Wilson Center a Community Service Award.[2]
In 2024, the organization helped more than 4,900, people.[6] [7]
External links
Notes and References
- News: Emmons . Mark . 2015-01-20 . Santa Clara County gearing up for count that will gauge the size of local homeless population . . 2015-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723145448/http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_27356130/santa-clara-county-gearing-up-count-that-will . 2015-07-23 . dead .
- News: Andrews . Diane . 2012-06-13 . Bill Wilson Center Opens Unique Housing Complex for Transition-Age Youth . Santa Clara Weekly . 2015-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723050824/http://www.santaclaraweekly.com/2012/Issue-24/bill_wilson_center_opens_unique_housing_complex_for_transition_age_youth.html . 2015-07-23 . dead .
- News: Newman . Bruce . 2012-08-02 . Sparky Harlan has helped Santa Clara's young people for decades . . 2015-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723145237/http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_21221314/sparky-harlan-feted-at-white-house-director-santa . 2015-07-23 . dead .
- News: Cronk . Michael . 2005-09-29 . Safe Haven For Youths Is Hoping To Expand - Center Provides Counseling, Educational, and Housing Services . . 2015-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220611185709/http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/10CF3F934C59F108?p=NewsBank . 2022-06-11 . dead .
- News: De Sa . Karen . 2004-01-03 . Fire Closes S.J. Refuge For Homeless - Drop-In Center Fed, Aided Young People . . 2015-07-23 . https://archive.today/20240527105127/https://www.webcitation.org/6aEFf36pi?url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0FFDF710B34AC9FC%3Fp=NewsBank . 2024-05-27 . dead .
- News: Wilson . Alia . 2015-02-04 . Sunnyvale: Bill Wilson Center rehabs maternity group home . . 2015-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723141310/http://www.mercurynews.com/sunnyvale/ci_27462058/sunnyvale-bill-wilson-center-rehabs-maternity-group-home . 2015-07-23 . dead .
- News: Andrews . Diane . 2015-05-20 . Against the Odds, Bill Wilson Center Delivers the Dreams . Santa Clara Weekly . 2015-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723051014/http://www.santaclaraweekly.com/2015/Issue-21/against-the-odds-bill-wilson-center-delivers-the-dreams.html . 2015-07-23 . dead .
