Judith Gonzalez Overcomes Homelessness Through Winter Nights Shelter

Judith Gonzalez faced a challenging situation in 2015 when she and her family became homeless, living with her mother in Pittsburg while raising two young children, ages three and one. As tensions rose in the crowded household, Gonzalez recognized the urgent need for a stable home of their own. Facing credit difficulties and limited options, she reached out to 411, the county’s resource hotline. Shortly thereafter, they were accepted into the Winter Nights Family Shelter, a crucial turning point for the family.

Upon arriving at the shelter, located in a church in Contra Costa County, Gonzalez and her family found themselves in a large conference room where they were given a tent to set up alongside several other families. Initially, her children were apprehensive, sticking close to her side. However, within days, they began to engage with the shelter’s volunteers, who provided support and encouragement. “They went from both clinging to my side when we came in, and then they grew to play and run around,” Gonzalez recalled, highlighting the transformation her children underwent during their stay.

Founded in 2004, Winter Nights operates through a network of faith communities that host families for two- to three-week periods. The nonprofit employs 13 staff members and relies on hundreds of volunteers, many of whom have faced homelessness themselves. These volunteers help connect families to crucial resources, provide financial education, and offer tutoring for children. Last year, Winter Nights served 22 families, with ten securing stable housing and five receiving housing referrals. The organization also operates safe parking sites in Antioch and Pittsburg, providing a lifeline for 146 individuals living in cars, including nine families with 15 children.

For Gonzalez and her family, Winter Nights represented more than just a roof over their heads. The organization provided essential assistance, including repairs for her husband’s broken-down truck, allowing him to continue transporting their children to school. This support came from Winter Nights’ financial assistance program, which last year distributed $28,000 to 24 households for urgent needs such as car repairs and rental deposits.

During their time at the shelter, Gonzalez discovered a sense of community. One notable moment was a lavish Christmas dinner organized by the volunteers, complete with gifts for the children. The staff also offered consistent encouragement, motivating her to work toward a more stable situation. After six months at Winter Nights, Gonzalez’s family moved into a rental home and eventually purchased a mobile home in Pittsburg.

Today, at 43 years old, Gonzalez works as a pharmacy technician at the UCSF Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building in San Francisco, where she prepares chemotherapy medications for cancer patients. Her journey from homelessness to stability has been marked by perseverance and community support. She maintains contact with Winter Nights staff, including Teri Lundvall, who once benefited from the shelter’s services before joining the staff herself.

Reflecting on her experience, Gonzalez expressed the emotional weight she carried as a mother during that difficult period. “As a mother, I felt like I failed my kids,” she admitted. However, her daughter’s perspective offered unexpected relief. When asked about their time at the shelter, her daughter responded, “It was fun. We were living in a tent, we did lots of activities, and I got presents.” Gonzalez found comfort in her daughter’s positive memories, realizing that her children did not view their experience through the lens of shame.

The work of organizations like Winter Nights is vital in providing assistance to families in crisis. Donations to the Winter Nights Family Shelter support financial aid that helps families secure housing and address urgent needs. Last year, the organization set a goal of raising $12,000 to assist around ten homeless households with expenses such as car repairs and rental deposits.

For those looking to contribute, donations can be made through the Winter Nights website or by mail. Such contributions can make a significant difference in the lives of families like Gonzalez’s, helping them transition from homelessness to stability and community.