Casa Esperanza Homeless Shelter Gets Funding Boost from Talent Show

A weekend talent show provided funding for the Casa Esperanza homeless shelter in Santa Barbara at a time when money shortages have had an impact on services.

Organizers of the show, hearing of the dire need for new funding, donated their proceeds to help the shelter.

Recently Casa Esperanza scaled back its daytime “drop in” lunch program and went specifically for a “sobriety based” shelter. Anyone with a drug or alcohol issues can not stay at the shelter, but can go through reform programs.

Beginning December 1, the shelter will have 200 beds available for the winter months.

Executive Director Michael Foley says Casa Esperanza only gets 40 percent of its funding from the government and rest comes from grants and donations.

The talent show was held at the Majorie Luke Theater.

It featured dancing, magic, comedy, and musical performances.

During the show Foley was invited to the stage to talk about the shelter, and a NewsChannel 3 story was aired to update the audience on some of the current issues facing the shelter.

Tuesday, the Santa Barbara City Council will discuss the contracts it has for shelter, its operations, and receive an update on funding.