Menlo homeless shelter joins InnVision Menlo homeless shelter joins InnVision (August 11, 2004)

The Clara-Mateo Alliance, which has operated a homeless shelter at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Menlo Park for seven years, is now a part of InnVision, a major provider of housing and services to the homeless and at-risk people in Santa Clara and southern San Mateo counties.

"This will strengthen us," said Eve Agiewich, director of communications for Clara-Mateo. "Our programs will continue pretty much unchanged, but the merger will expand the safety net from San Jose to Menlo Park. Our clients can take advantage of all the programs InnVision offers."

InnVision's profile on the Midpeninsula expanded last year when it absorbed the Urban Ministry of Palo Alto, which helps the hard-core homeless with a variety of programs ranging from a drop-in center to overnight housing in church basements.

Clara-Mateo, Urban Ministry and InnVision are all participating in the new Opportunity Center under construction on Encina Way in Palo Alto.

When the Opportunity Center opens its doors late next year, Clara-Mateo will operate a wing with services for women, children and families similar to the Elsa Segovia Center that will continue operating in Menlo Park.

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