With deep sadness, the Winter Nights Board of Directors has determined that Winter Nights
cannot sustainably continue operating as an independent nonprofit organization. As a result, the
Family Shelter will not open for the upcoming season.

The Safe Parking Program and Oasis Day Center ceased operations on September 30, 2026.
Continued Success will cease on October 30, 2026. The Board is also exploring whether one or
more Winter Nights programs could be transferred to another qualified nonprofit organization.
No transfer has been confirmed, and we cannot yet promise that any programs will continue.

Winter Nights began in 2004 as a grassroots program of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa
County and became an independent nonprofit organization in 2020. For more than 20 years, our
congregations, volunteers, donors and staff have provided shelter, meals, safe parking, case
management and housing support to families and individuals experiencing homelessness
throughout Contra Costa County.

As our programs expanded, the financial, administrative, operational and staffing resources
required to sustain them also grew. After a careful review, the Board concluded that Winter
Nights no longer has the combination of reliable revenue, organizational infrastructure,
governance capacity, staffing capacity and administrative support necessary to operate
independently in a responsible and sustainable manner.

These are long-term, interconnected challenges that developed over time and cannot be
resolved through an emergency fundraising campaign or a single infusion of funds. The decision
is the culmination of multiple organizational conditions; it was not caused by any one person,
employee, decision or incident.

We recognize the profound effect of this decision on our staff, current clients, families who
expected the shelter to open, and the congregations and supporters who have sustained this
work. We are committed to communicating directly with those most affected and to conducting
the transition in an orderly, responsible and fiscally prudent manner.

We are deeply grateful to every congregation, volunteer, donor, funder, employee and
community partner who made Winter Nights possible. Your compassion has helped families
remain together, find safety and move toward stable housing. We will provide additional
information as transition decisions are confirmed.

With gratitude,
Winter Nights Board of Directors