FESCO would like to thank the Walmart Foundation, HomeAid Nothern California, SolarCity and Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the funding for a major green retrofit!

The renovations, which will save FESCO more than $2,500 a year on energy bills, were made possible through HomeAid America’s Environmental Sustainability Program. The savings will allow the shelter to provide additional help to families and children in need.

As a HomeAid Northern California partner, PG&E orchestrated the energy audit with SolarCity for the FESCO properties in Hayward.  Gay McDaniel, Executive Director of FESCO stated, “We are extremely grateful to HomeAid Northern California, SolarCity and PG&E for providing these critical energy improvements at no cost to us.  We can now conserve our precious resources for providing services to our residents and we will now have lower energy costs and a better living environment.”

FESCO’s energy retrofits included air sealing the building envelopes, attic insulation, air filtration systems, duct systems with zoned controls, high efficiency lighting upgrades, high efficiency water heater and efficiency and safety measures.  A dedication ceremony will be held on January 16, 2013 to celebrate the energy improvements.

“PG&E is proud of our collaboration with HomeAid Northern California and SolarCity on this important project, said Gregg Lemler, Senior Director of Transmission System Operations for PG&E. “As a result of our joint efforts, FESCO will enjoy significant energy savings, allowing them to invest even more in the incredible work that they do assisting East Bay families in need.”

HomeAid Northern California would like to thank SolarCity and PG&E for their support in making this project happen.  A special thank you also goes out to our national partners in greening our future – HomeAid America, Walmart, Owens Corning and Masco Corporation Foundation.

Family Emergency Shelter Coalition Appoints

Gay McDaniel as Executive Director

Hayward, Calif., August 28, 2012—The governing board of Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO) announced today that it has appointed Gay McDaniel to be the agency’s Executive Director effective on September 17. She will succeed Cate Steane, who has relocated to the Santa Rosa area.

The Board Chair, Bob Peppler, said, “The FESCO board and staff are very pleased to have found someone who is the perfect fit for our organization.  Gay brings many years of experience in nonprofit social services, including services for the homeless, who are the people FESCO is dedicated to serve.  We are looking forward with confidence to Gay’s leading the organization into its exciting future.” 

Ms. McDaniel is currently the Director of Social Services for Abode Services, a provider of supportive housing for homeless, very-low-income, and disabled individuals and families in Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. Prior to joining Abode Services, Ms. McDaniel was Executive Director of Su Casa, a domestic violence prevention/intervention organization in Southern California. She also worked for United Way of Greater Los Angeles as the Major Gifts Team Manager.

Gay McDaniel said, “I am really excited about working with the FESCO board, staff, and community supporters as we assist homeless families move toward housing permanency and self-sufficiency.  These are challenging times for social services, but FESCO has a bright future because of its long history of strong volunteer leadership and  the tremendous support it receives from the community.”

Ms. McDaniel earned a bachelors degree in social work from Texas Woman’s University and a masters of social work at the University of Houston. She also holds a certificate of nonprofit management from California State University at Los Angeles.

Ms. McDaniel has served in the local community in volunteer capacities as co-chair of the board of HERS Breast Cancer Foundation, on the FEMA Alameda County Local Board, and on the Community Engagement & Advisory Committee for the City of Fremont Family Resource Center.

About FESCO

The Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO) was organized in 1986 for the purpose of providing services to homeless and very-low-income families in Alameda County, California. It is a nonprofit organization comprising more than 30 churches and other members of the community in the Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and San Leandro areas. FESCO operates the 24-bed shelter Les Marquis House, which houses about 100 families each year (composed of approximately 120 adults and more than 200 children). In addition, the organization operates a multi-room transitional housing project called Banyan House and a four-unit permanent housing project, which provides low-cost rental housing with supportive services to families