CC Peninsula Circle of Care / El Círculo de Atención
Offering a hand to those in need…
If you have been troubled by the mass deportations tearing families apart and terrorizing communities—and feel concern for all vulnerable individuals at risk—join us in offering a helping hand! The CC Peninsula Circle of Care has been created to assist the victims of these anti-immigrant actions and other at-risk individuals with money for:
Immigration Emergencies • Medical Emergencies • Imminent Eviction or Homelessness • Sudden Loss of Income • Other sudden crises threatening basic well-being or safety
The Circle of Care provides short-term help in an emergency. It is not able to provide ongoing support for long-standing financial hardship.
Social workers, faith leaders, and staff of government agencies and charities in the San Francisco Bay Area are invited to nominate low-income individuals and families they know who are facing a sudden crisis. Priority is given to San Mateo County residents.
We do not accept requests for assistance directly from individuals. If you need help, please speak with a social worker, faith leader or caseworker who already knows your situation. For other resources, dial 2-1-1 or visit 211bayarea.org.
Nominators and donors with questions about this program may contact circleofcare@ccpeninsula.org or call the Congregational Church of the Peninsula office at 650-593-4547.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for assistance through Circle of Care?
The Circle of Care helps low-income individuals and families facing a sudden, recent crisis that they cannot get through without short-term financial help. Examples include:
- the detention or deportation of a family member, especially a primary wage earner, or urgent immigration legal costs
- a delay in work authorization that temporarily prevents someone from working
- a serious injury, accident or surgery that suddenly stops someone from working
- an imminent eviction, or a need to urgently flee domestic violence
- a sudden event, such as a car breakdown, that cuts off a family’s income
We serve the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties, with priority given to San Mateo County.
Because our fund is small, the Circle of Care is meant to be a last resort, for times when family, friends and other assistance programs haven’t been enough. We regret that we’re unable to help with long-standing financial difficulties, ongoing health conditions, or general living expenses.
How do I nominate someone?
Social workers, faith leaders, and staff of government agencies and charities in the Bay Area may submit a nomination form. Nominators should know the person or family directly, and have looked into their situation. The form asks for:
- What happened, and when
- What specific help is needed, how much, and for how long
- What other help (family, friends, other programs) has been tried
- Supporting documents (if available), such as legal notices, eviction notices, proof of income loss, or bills
Note: We cannot accept self-nominations, nominations of family members, or requests from individuals asking us to find them a nominator.
How do I donate to the Circle of Care?
Donations can be made through the Congregational Church of the Peninsula, designated for the Circle of Care, here. All contributions are held in a separate account and used solely to support individuals in crisis.
What happens after a nomination is received?
- The Circle of Care Committee reviews the nomination.
- The nominee may be contacted to confirm details.
- The committee evaluates the urgency, severity, and potential impact.
- A decision is made by majority vote, based on available funds.
How does the Circle of Care provide its assistance?
Support is issued as direct payments to landlords, childcare providers, utility companies, medical providers or legal representatives.
Is the assistance offered only once or could it continue?
Assistance is short-term: either a one-time payment or support for a limited period, usually no more than three months, to help a family through a crisis until they can stabilize.
How is confidential information protected?
All personal information is kept strictly confidential. Records are securely maintained and shared only as needed for review and compliance.
About us
The Circle of Care is a ministry of the Congregational Church of the Peninsula, in Belmont California. Our purpose is to support immigrant families experiencing financial hardship due to detention, deportation or other immigration-related emergencies. It also serves low income individuals in the Bay Area who are facing acute financial distress due to medical emergencies, housing instability, loss of income, or other sudden emergencies.
Unlike many assistance programs, the Circle of Care works through personal connections. Every request comes to us from a social worker, faith leader or community professional who knows the person and their situation, often someone connected to our church congregation and its partners. This lets a small fund act quickly and with care when an emergency strikes. The fund is designed to complement other excellent aid programs in our region, and we are committed to working in a spirit of collaboration.