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Adults: Independent Living

Find what you need to live independently including food and nutrition resources, financial and legal assistance, housing options, and job resources. All services are personally recommended by the Sequoia Healthcare District for District residents, and most resources are free and low-cost. To get started, choose a category below.

Food & Nutrition 

Second Harvest Food Pharmacy, Samaritan House Redwood City

Healthy food for low-income patients of Samaritan House, Redwood City.

St. Vincent de Paul, San Mateo

Provides free hot meals, clothing, sleeping bags, bus tokens, ID cards, laundry and mail service. 

St. Vincent de Paul, Fair Oaks

Provides free hot meals, clothing, sleeping bags, bus tokens, ID cards, laundry and mail service. 

St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room and Clothing Distribution Center

Free meals, clothing, and health care advice.

Samaritan House Free Health Clinic, Menlo Park

Free health and dental care, emergency rent assistance, free hot meals and groceries, free clothing for children, and financial education for low-income individuals and families.

St. Francis Center, Redwood City

St. Francis Center provides several community services including a food pantry, immigration counseling, shower and laundry services, community gardens, low-income housing units, ESL and GED programs, a small school for kids, a clothing closet, and a holiday toy program. 

College of San Mateo Farmer’s Market

The College of San Mateo Certified Farmers Market operates year round, rain or shine, on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Farmers’ Market

Visit the Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays April 3 – Nov 13th from 10am – 2pm.

Stanford Farmers’ Market

Visit the Stanford Farmer’s Market at Stanford, Tuesdays 10am-2pm, year-round, rain or shine. 

Foster City Farmers’ Market

Visit the Foster City Farmers Market on Saturdays 9am to 1pm, year-round, rain or shine. Located at 1010 Metro Center Blvd, Foster City.

Redwood City Kiwanas Farmers’ Market

The oldest and the largest farmers’ market on the Peninsula, conceived in 1979! Saturdays 8am-12pm, April through November.

San Mateo 25th Ave Farmers’ Market

The San Mateo Farmers’ Market is every Tuesday from May 7th – Oct 8th, rain or shine at 25th Ave & Hacienda St, San Mateo.

Financial & Legal Assistance 

St. Vincent de Paul, San Mateo

Provides free hot meals, clothing, sleeping bags, bus tokens, ID cards, laundry and mail service. 

St. Vincent de Paul, Fair Oaks

Provides free hot meals, clothing, sleeping bags, bus tokens, ID cards, laundry and mail service. 

St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room and Clothing Distribution Center

Free meals, clothing, and health care advice.

Samaritan House Free Health Clinic, Menlo Park

Free health and dental care, emergency rent assistance, free hot meals and groceries, free clothing for children, and financial education for low-income individuals and families.

St. Francis Center, Redwood City

St. Francis Center provides several community services including a food pantry, immigration counseling, shower and laundry services, community gardens, low-income housing units, ESL and GED programs, a small school for kids, a clothing closet, and a holiday toy program. 

San Mateo County Keller Center for Family Violence Intervention 

Nationally recognized comprehensive services including medical, emotional, social, and legal care and support for for victims of child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence.

The Business Debtors Anonymous, Menlo Park

An independent group for those in business struggling with finances.

Salvation Army Emergency and Food Services

Emergency services for individuals and families including referalls for rental and morgage assistance, seasonal holiday assistance, food pantry, and referrals for counseling. 

Emergency Assistance for Basic Needs, Samaritan House South

Emergency assistance with basic needs including food, housing and shelter, emergency utility and bill pay assistance, and other basic needs.

Emergency Assistance for Basic Needs, Fair Oaks Community Center

Emergency assistance for basic needs including food, housing and shelter, utility and bill paying assistance, and other basic needs.

Mental Illness Advocacy, Education, & Support Groups, NAMI

Helps to improve the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families by providing advocacy, support groups, and classes. 

California Telephone Access Program (CTAP), CA Public Utilities Commission 

Free specialized telephones and other adaptive technology for individuals with a speech or hearing difficulty.

Housing 

Kainos Home & Training Center

Social activities, recreation, housing, and job assistance for adults with disabilities.

St. Francis Center, Redwood City

St. Francis Center provides several community services including a food pantry, immigration counseling, shower and laundry services, community gardens, low-income housing units, ESL and GED programs, a small school for kids, a clothing closet, and a holiday toy program. 

WeHOPE Emergency Homeless Shelter

Emergency homeless shelter and services.

Salvation Army Emergency and Food Services

Emergency services for individuals and families including referalls for rental and morgage assistance, seasonal holiday assistance, food pantry, and referrals for counseling. 

Emergency Assistance for Basic Needs, Samaritan House South

Emergency assistance with basic needs including food, housing and shelter, emergency utility and bill pay assistance, and other basic needs.

Emergency Assistance for Basic Needs, Fair Oaks Community Center

Emergency assistance for basic needs including food, housing and shelter, utility and bill paying assistance, and other basic needs.

Peninsula Family Resource Center, St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo County

Homelessness prevention program providing emergency funds, vouchers, and gift cards to low-income residents.

Housing Assistance Program, Mental Health Association of San Mateo County

Financial assistance and housing stability program for low income San Mateo County residents living with HIV/AIDS.

WeHOPE Transitional/Supportive Housing Program

120-day program to transition out of homelessness.

Caminar Supported Housing Program

Caminar’s Supported Housing Program supports existing Caminar mental health and recovering substance abuse clients to find housing.

Accredited Handyman Services

Accredited Handyman Services is a fully licensed and insured handyman business that provides honest and reliable handyman services in San Mateo and surrounding areas.

Housing Accessibility Modification Program, Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities

Home modification services for San Carlos older adults and adults with disabilities.

Job Resources 

Cadet Program, Redwood City Police Activities League

Program for young adults age 18-21 to develop leadership skills and explore a career in law enforcement with the Redwood City Policy Department.

Redwood City Police Activities League (PAL)

Activities and services for children, families, and adults including after school programs, camps, sports, fitness classes, career development, and more.

Kainos Home & Training Center

Social activities, recreation, housing, and job assistance for adults with disabilities.

JobTrain

JobTrain provides High School/GED equivalency testing, free job placement assistance, and free career training and workshops for adults and youth in several disciplines.

Menlo Church Career Actions & Job Search Support

Menlo Church offers monthly practical trainings on job search skills and networking. 

Sequoia District Adult School

Provides English as a Second Language classes, classes needed to earn a High School Diploma or a High School Equivalency Diploma, GED certificate, bilingual computer classes, and business classes. 

NOVA Job Center

Assistance and skill development to enter or re-enter the Silicon Valley worksforce.