News Archive

Navigating your way through the holiday season can be challenging for some. County Connection is committed to public service and knows that besides needing an affordable transit option, there are those who may need help in other ways.

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, looking for shelter, or are in need of crisis counseling support, there are resources available in Contra Costa:

COUNTY CONNECTION RESOURCES

• 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) – Free food is available near you! Click here to see a map of Food Distribution Sites (listed by city) to find a location or call 855-309-3663.
• 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. Click here to find a meal near you.
• 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. 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.
• 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.
• 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. 

SHELTER

• 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.
• Shelter Inc. (Pleasant Hill, 925-435-2074) – 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.
• Winter Nights Family Shelter (Pleasant Hill, 925-435-2074, info@cccwinternights.org) – The Winter Nights Family Shelter serves families with children, including shelter, meals, transportation, day tutors, counseling and a parking lot program.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• The Ladybug Program (Concord) – The Ladybug Program assembles and distributes menstrual supplies to women and teens in need. Click here to email The Ladybug Program to request period supplies and/or menstrual health management materials.
• 4 Our Families (Martinez, 925-335-6581) – Provides resource referral and benefit assistance for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKS, General Assistance, and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
• Contra Costa Health, Substance and Treatment Services (1-888-678-7277) – If you or someone you care about is dealing with alcohol or drug use, seeking help is the first step.
• Contra Costa County MEDS Coalition (request services) – Prescription drug safety and overdose prevention.
• Contra Costa Public Defenders, Clean Slate Program (CleanSlate@pd.cccounty.us or fill out online form) – Dedicated to helping clients clear their prior records in order to overcome the barrier to employment, housing, education and public benefits that a prior record can present.

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.

CONCORD, CA – East Bay bus transit operators County Connection, LAVTA (Wheels), Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT applaud California lawmakers for approving the Connect Bay Area Act, Senate Bill 63 (SB 63). The bill paves the way for a regional funding measure that could stabilize transit service for millions of Bay Area riders, including thousands who depend daily on the Tri-Valley and Contra Costa County’s bus systems. 

SB 63 authorizes a Public Transit Revenue Measure to be placed on the November 2026 ballot if sufficient voter signatures are collected. The measure would establish a half-cent sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties, and a one-cent sales tax in San Francisco, creating a sustainable funding stream to preserve and expand essential transit service. 

“This is a turning point for East Bay bus operators,” said Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “For too long, bus operators like ours have stretched every dollar just to maintain basic service. SB 63 has the potential to provide stable, long-term funding that allows us to maintain essential services and respond to new demands. With this support, we can better serve our riders, reduce congestion, and meet climate goals.” 

For smaller transit agencies, SB 63 could mean the difference between cutting essential services and building a system that meets the needs of a changing region. 

“SB 63 gives our communities a chance to secure reliable funding that ensures students can get to school, seniors can access essential services, and workers can depend on us to reach their jobs,” said Christy Wegener, Executive Director of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, provider of Wheels services. “It’s about protecting the everyday trips that keep the Tri-Valley moving.” 

Without new revenue, many East Bay operators would face difficult decisions about reducing service – cuts that would hit transit-dependent riders the hardest. 

“The mobility needs of Contra Costa County’s most vulnerable populations depend on frequent, safe and reliable bus service,” said Rashidi Barnes, CEO of Tri Delta Transit. “SB 63 is a vital step toward ensuring we can provide equitable, safe, and consistent transportation in Eastern Contra Costa—where transit is essential to both economic mobility and quality of life. This bill brings real hope to the people we serve.” 

“WestCAT plays a unique role in connecting riders in Western Contra Costa to the broader Bay Area,” said Rob Thompson, General Manager of WestCAT. “Sustainable funding from SB 63 means we can protect these lifeline services, expand where demand is growing, and invest in cleaner, greener buses. It’s a smart investment in equity, the economy, and the environment.” 

The Tri-Valley and Contra Costa transit partners extend appreciation to Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguin for authoring the legislation, Governor Gavin Newsom for his leadership, and the region’s legislative delegation for continued support of transit riders.  

Media Contacts: 

County Connection 
Ryan Jones | rjones@cccta.org | 925-680-2037 

Wheels 
David Mark | dmark@lavta.org | 925-455-7553 

Tri Delta Transit 
Leeann Loroño | llorono@eccta.org | 925-754-6622 

WestCAT 
Mica McFadden | mica@westcat.org | 510.724.3331