The Delores Project operates a safe shelter for single, adult homeless women that can house up to 50 women each night, with emergency space for an additional 25 women during times of severe weather.  The Delores Project is a place where women are treated with kindness and respect, where they can rest from the dangerous and traumatic experience of being without a place to live. Women seeking shelter at The Delores Project are offered a safe, comfortable place to stay while seeking options for more permanent housing.  The Delores Project maintains minimal requirements for admission and participation in order to reach women who are chronically homeless, have mental disabilities or who face serious barriers to stability. In 2007, The Delores Project sheltered 722 homeless women, experiencing a 247% in the number of women sheltered from year previous.

The shelter is open from 3:30 pm to 8:00 am every day.  Hand-made quilts and comfortable furnishings enhance the living areas and dormitory-style sleeping areas.  A hot supper is provided each evening; breakfast foods, snacks and beverages are also available.  Information and referrals regarding housing and other services are offered to every guest.  The Delores Project staff provides help to ensure that women have a place to go during hours the shelter is closed, such as day shelters  and other community resources.

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The Delores Project has a staff position called Transitional Advocate, which was designed to increase the effectiveness at working with women to meet their multiple needs, especially for housing and health services.  The Transitional Advocate is an adaptation of the traditional case manager role.  The Transitional Advocate supports and accompanies guests to appointments, such as to find permanent housing or connect to the appropriate health care provider.  The Transitional Advocate meets with each woman who remains in shelter more than one night to complete an intake survey of needs.  Women who choose, follow-up with the Transitional Advocate, to set goals and receive short-term assistance in achieving those goals.  Women who are assessed to require longer-term case management services are connected with other agencies in the community that offer that service.

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