Wind History

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Wind History

Our founders Sister's of Social Service, Maryanne Bonpane and Stephana O'Leary

WIND was first opened in 1994 by Sisters of Social Service, Mary Anne Bonpane and Sister Stephana in a small space located next to Loaves and Fishes. The program was originally started as a daytime safe haven for Sacramento area homeless teens ages 12-21, to seek refuge from the streets and receive survival services. As the awareness of the needs grew, so did the Center services provided. The Center broadened its focus to provide programs that would offer tools and resources to teens to help them develop necessary skills to help break the cycle of homelessness.

In 2001 the WIND Youth Crisis Shelter first opened its doors in a residential location in Carmichael as a result of a grant from the US Department of Health & Human Services, Runaway and Homeless Youth Program and the United Way in order to provide crisis shelter to homeless teens in Sacramento. In 2004 when the need for increased space was realized, the Shelter moved to a new facility in North Sacramento. The 16-bed Shelter provides an immediate and safe stable living situation for kids who are homeless until a more permanent placement can be developed. The Shelter houses both boys and girls ages 11 to 18. While at the Shelter, in addition to comfortable beds and nutritious meals, youth receive counseling, life skills development and healthy recreation as well as placement and program referral services. The Shelter is a special place where kids can escape the trauma of the streets and their family crises.

In 2003 the WIND Education Program was developed and operated out of a facility across the street from the Center. This program is an on-site accredited junior high and high school program that operates through collaboration with the Grant Community Collaborative Charter Schools. Students attend school five days a week through the entire year, earning credits toward graduation, preparing for GED testing and improving their academic and social skills.

Today, in addition to the Education Program, teens visiting the Day Center are offered a variety of services including case management, assistance with medical and mental health needs, acquire job search skills, life skills training, access free legal services and have their basic needs for food, laundry and clothing met as well as referral to WIND's Youth Crisis Shelter.

For many years it was the WIND staff's dream to move to a location removed from the adult homeless population where both the Day Center and Education Programs could be housed under one roof. As dreams sometimes do, this one became a reality in the summer of 2007, as a result of the WIND Board of Directors and staff's hard work and the generosity of many individuals, businesses and foundations in our local community who contributed to a capital campaign which raised over $700,000.

The new WIND Center

Teens that enter into the new Center, located in North Sacramento are greeted by a décor of vibrant colors including cheerful youth-created artwork which hangs on each of the walls, the smell of Grandma's cooking, a brand new fully equipped classroom, computer lab and library and a welcome from warm and caring staff. This is a new and safe place to call "home".

What's New

Upcoming Golf Tournaments Benefit WIND!

Derby Day at Lucchetti Ranch to Benefit WIND

"Teen Homelessness on the Rise" Report and Video by Channel 10's Nicole Chavez

Monarchs Donate Computer lab and reading room

Quick Links

WISH LIST (pdf)

WIND Currents Newsletter (pdf)

Street Breeze Newspaper (pdf)

WIND Video

Major Donors (pdf)