07/24/2026
Once again, church members are volunteering to host breakfast and dinner guests with the Silicon Valley Safe Parking program. First Congregational Church joined this program in 2019, offering folks who currently live in their cars a safe place to park and sleep at night, with access to restrooms and phone charging stations. Volunteer hosts also put out healthy snacks and provide company. The guests sometimes feel like talking, and other times prefer to eat quietly.
Spearheaded by Brian Link and Karen Armor, the Safe Parking program has brought the church into partnership with nine other local churches, as well as the cities of San José and Campbell. Guests rotate from month to month and each guest is vetted by Amigos de Guadalupe, so all the guests may feel comfortable and secure.
"We have had as many as 40 members volunteering to host," said Karen Armor. "One volunteer told me, 'I don't know who got more out of it, the guests or me!'"
People living in their cars are not homeless, but houseless. "We don't want anyone left out in the cold," continued Karen. "They are the same as us. If we were to stop, this group of guests would be broken up, and essentially lose their family."
Lisa Francesca and Mark Baumann, who have volunteered for two years, mentioned how good it feels to host. "With this simple act of hospitality, you meet interesting people and hear amazing stories," said Lisa. "Jesus teaches us to help one another, and this is a really easy way to do that."
Members and friends who would like to shadow a host to see how the process works and how it feels can look for the sign-up button in the next church’s What's Happening newsletter, or speak with Karen or Brian.
Amigos de Guadalupe
