Community Resources in Contra Costa – County Connection

Community Resources in Contra Costa

Image of crisis resource graphics

Everyone needs a little help sometimes. If you or someone you know is looking for food, shelter, crisis support, or assistance with basic needs, resources are available throughout Contra Costa County.

County Connection is committed to connecting our community with the services and support they need. Explore the resources below, and remember that affordable public transportation can help you get where you need to go.

Not sure where to start? Call 211 for free, confidential help finding local resources. For homelessness and housing assistance, you can also text HOPE to 20121.

COUNTY CONNECTION RESOURCES

Safe Place Logo
  • Safe Place (1-800-786-2929) – All County Connection buses serve as a Safe Place for youth in crisis. A Safe Place is a designated place that can help youth in crisis by connecting them with available resources. If you are a youth in crisis, find a County Connection bus and tell them you are in need of help. Other ways to get help:
    • Phone – text the word SAFE and your current location (address, city, state) to the number 69866. You will receive a message with the closest Safe Place location. You will also have the option to text interactively with a professional for more help. It’s quick, confidential, and safe.
    • Speak to someone on the phone by calling the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929).
    • Safe Place is not intended to replace 911 in emergency situations.  If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
  • Free Routes – County Connection offers ten free routes (marked green) to any passenger. These routes travel around Central Contra Costa County and can connect you to resources.

FOOD INSECURITY

  • Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano (multiple locations) – Find free food pantries, meal programs and produce distributions near you, or call 855-309-3663 for help finding food. Click here to see a map of Food Distribution Sites (listed by city).
  • Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa (multiple locations) – Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa Operated Dining Rooms are open to the public and serve anyone that is in need of food. There are dining rooms located in Antioch, Martinez, Oakley, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek. See dining room locations. We encourage you to check the current schedule before traveling.
  • GROW (Grass Roots Outreach Warriors) (Concord) – GROW not only provides meals to whomever needs it (6 days a week), they also offer laundry and hygiene services, as well as providing supplies such as clothing and pet supplies. Visit GROW’s help page for more info. Dinner served:
    • Baldwin Park, 2727 Parkside Circle in Concord (Port Chicago Hwy & Bonifacio)
      Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday @ 4pm
    • Cowell Park, 3501 Cowell Road in Concord (Cowell Road, just west of Babel)
      Monday, Wednesday, Friday @ 4pm
  • Monument Crisis Center (1990 Market Street, Concord) – The food distribution program provides stability for low income and at-risk individuals and families in Contra Costa County. Distribution is Monday-Wednesday, 9am-Noon. See the food distribution page before making a trip.
  • Hillcrest United Church of Christ (404 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill) – Hillcrest Community Service Programs offers a food pantry, clothing room, and care ministries for those in need.

CRISIS COUNSELING

  • Contra Costa Crisis Center (Walnut Creek, Call 988 or 1-800-273-8255) – Seek culturally relevant resources and assistance for yourself or others in need of crisis or suicide prevention, and grief counseling.
  • Rainbow Community Center (Concord, non-crisis intake line 925-692-2056) – Provides clinical and peer groups for LGBTQIA2S+ to promote acceptance, bring people together, and improve communication. See therapy FAQ for more information.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (nation-wide, call 988) – 988 has been designated as the three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.
  • NAMI Contra Costa – Provides support, outreach, education and advocacy to individuals living with and families impacted by mental illness. See NAMI’s crisis and support resources for more information.

SHELTER

  • 211 Contra Costa (food, shelter, rent, utilities, health, employment) is a single entry point for people who don’t know which organization to contact. Call 211, or text HOPE to 20121 for Contra Costa’s homeless-services referral system. General 211 assistance is free, confidential and available 24/7. Visit 211 Contra Costa for more information.
  • Contra Costa Health, Adult and Youth Homeless Services (call 211 or text “HOPE” to 20121) – Contra Costa Health’s Health, Housing and Homeless Services provides a number of services to support unhoused people. Get Help here.
  • Shelter Inc. (Pleasant Hill, 925-335-0698) – Rebuilding lives one family at a time, by helping reestablish a home, and assisting with the skills and resources families need to live the life they deserve. See Rental & Deposit Assistance for more info.
  • Trinity Center (1888 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek) is a CARE Center for adults experiencing homelessness. Visit Trinity Center to learn more.
  • Winter Nights Family Shelter (Pleasant Hill, 925-414-3883, info@cccwinternights.org) – The Winter Nights Family Shelter serves families with children, including shelter, meals, transportation, day tutors, counseling and a parking lot program. See Winter Nights for more information.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

If you know of other community resources available in Contra Costa County or would like to make a suggested edit to the list above, please contact the County Connection Marketing Department, marketing@cccta.org.