San Jose nonprofit Amigos de Guadalupe drew the parallel between the biblical story of Mary and Joseph Monday night time and a difficulty closely impacting town — the housing disaster. 

La Posada commemorates Joseph and Mary’s seek for a spot to remain earlier than giving beginning to Jesus. In the group’s annual group Posada occasion Monday, greater than 100 folks had been at ACE Empower Academy in east San Jose to obtain items for his or her youngsters and additionally hear the tales of people that had been as soon as unhoused within the South Bay. 

That included Yenny Cadena, who arrived in San Jose from Venezuela simply three months in the past. 

She stated she was dwelling on the road along with her youngsters, when she then related with Amigos de Guadalupe who offered a resort room for her and her youngsters. 

Laura Delgado, the director of unhoused applications with Amigos de Guadalupe, stated they’ve three lodges which have been transformed into household shelters along with tiny houses the place they home 25 households. 

But it isn’t sufficient. Monday night time’s occasion highlighting a non secular Christmas story was additionally meant to convey consideration to an ongoing disaster.

“How many times our families go door to door, agency to agency, looking for shelter for someone to open up that door and welcome them in?” Delgado stated, including that she would not really feel like there are sufficient sources to assist each household coming by way of their doorways. 

She stated they’ve seen a big uptick in folks searching for help — each regionally and those that have just lately arrived from one other nation. 

“We’re seeing hundreds of families come through our doors every single day,” she stated. “I hope the community will remember that it is not a one-time need. This is a need that is ongoing 365 days of the year.”

As a part of the occasion Monday, the nonprofit additionally gave out toys to youngsters. For Cadena, the vacation season comes with slightly little bit of unhappiness. She’s not along with her mother or siblings, however she stated the occasion stuffed her with pleasure and gratitude. 

“You have to move forward,” Cadena stated.