The Chico Community Shelter Partnership offers emergency shelter throughout the year at the Torres Shelter. We help people who are experiencing homelessness. Our services include case management, beds, showers, evening meals, laundry, basic personal necessities, message and mail service, storage of personal belongings, and transportation. Related social services provided on site include SSI counseling and filing assistance, basic educational tutoring, health screening, TB testing and education, veteran’s benefit assessment, behavioral health assessments and referrals to job preparedness programs and permanent and transitional housing.

The Torres Shelter is the only emergency shelter in the area that serves men, women and families with children. Approximately 75% of our guests are male and 25% are female, which is because we are the only emergency shelter in Chico for men. We are also the only emergency shelter that provides family accommodations for men,women and children. Our facility includes five private family rooms. Recently we have been seeing an increase in people needing assistance.

• On average, there have been 73 people staying at the shelter each night in 2010. Our average for all of 2009 was 61 people each night.
• So far this year in just 5 months we’ve served 346 people. We served a total of 527 people for all of 2009.
• We’ve provided 11,434 nights of stay this year. Unfortunately, we’re on pace to surpass our record of 22,123 nights of stay last year.
• Since January 1st our Guests have included 30 children in 20 families. Yes, that’s right…30 children. 

The work that we do benefits the guests we serve, but also helps our broader community. The Torres Shelter is not only a humane alternative to leaving people to sleep on our streets, but it is also represents solid public policy. At the Shelter, we have the opportunity to affect people's lives and choices with support, counsel and guidance. Without the Shelter, we'd lose that connection and that opportunity to affect change in the course of the lives of the individuals we serve.  

Thank you for your ongoing and loyal support. We can't do it without you!