Livermore-based tiny home community Goodness Village celebrated its second anniversary last week with a dinner that also served as a fundraiser for its operations.
Organizers said nearly 200 people attended the June 24 event held at the Crosswinds Church property where Goodness Village is located, adjacent to Las Positas Golf Course and the Livermore Municipal Airport.
The dinner raised more than $165,000 in support of Goodness Village. Local elected officials attended and participated in the event to help raise funds, organizers said.
Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, Livermore Mayor John Marchand and Pleasanton Vice Mayor Jack Balch each contributed home-baked desserts, which were auctioned off and raised $9,600. Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert also participated in the program.
“I am blown away and deeply grateful for the support from our larger community,” Goodness Village Executive Director Kim Curtis said. “We serve a population that often feels unseen and unvalued, the turnout for our event proves otherwise,” she added.
Since its opening in June 2021, Goodness Village has provided private, long-term housing for 28 formerly unhoused residents. The program also offers comprehensive case management on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis that is focused on returning each resident to productive, independent living.
“In just two years, community support has grown dramatically,” said Doug Miller, a Pleasanton resident and Goodness Village board member. “Businesses, nonprofits, local government and individuals have all realized that they can all help solve this important local issue.”
Goodness Village is a locally organized and funded nonprofit organization. Some of the contributors include Workday Foundation, John Muir Health, Stanford Health Care, Kaiser Permanente, The Vinay Kruttiventi Foundation, Wente Vineyards, the cities of Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin, the Pleasanton American Legion, the Pleasanton Veterans of Foreign Wars, Congressman Eric Swalwell, State Senator Steve Glazer, Haubert, Robert and Marilyn Weiss, and Joan Seppala.
In addition to celebrating a successful first two years, planning is underway for an expansion of facilities at Goodness Village with secured funding in place. The first phase will consist of a new community center. Upon completion, additional tiny home residences will also be added to the Goodness Village campus.
