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CityServ CEO thanks Livermore for pandemic support, highlights 'Caring Hotels' and staff wellness program
Summary
Christine Beach Bimani, CEO of CityServ of the Tri Valley, told a public meeting that Livermore’s pandemic-era gap funding helped CityServ survive and that the group was approved for another year of winter-relief funding; she outlined a Caring Hotels placement network and a 'Be Well' initiative for staff.
Christine Beach Bimani, CEO of CityServ of the Tri Valley, told a public meeting that the nonprofit relied on pandemic-era gap funding from the city of Livermore and was approved for another year of funding through Livermore’s winter relief program.
Bimani said that Livermore’s support was crucial to CityServ’s financial survival and described programs the organization operates to help people find stable housing and services. "During the pandemic, without the support of Livermore specifically, I don't know if CityServ would have survived financially," she said.
CityServ, she said, uses a care-coordination model to connect people to medical services, food assistance, housing resources and other supports. The organization began case-management work after receiving HEAP funding in late 2019 and now uses what Bimani called a holistic "care model" or "care wheel" to address root causes rather than short-term fixes.
Bimani described a Caring Hotels Network in which CityServ has memoranda of understanding with local hotels to place people who do not fit in traditional shelters — such as single parents with pets — and provide case management while staff seek permanent housing solutions. She said the arrangement relies on partnerships and local funding to cover placements and related casework.
She also announced a pilot collaboration, "Livermore Connects," that brings together Tri Valley Nonprofit Alliance, Tri Valley Haven, Access Health, Open Heart Kitchen and CityServ to canvass neighborhoods and make residents aware of available services.
Bimani provided a scale figure for the organization’s reach, saying CityServ serves close to 6,000 individuals per year through classes, programs and care coordination. She urged sustained funding and greater community engagement to maintain and expand services.
To support nonprofit staff, CityServ has instituted a "Be Well" initiative aimed at frontline workers who face trauma regularly. "Our people on our teams are not that different from the people we serve," Bimani said, adding that staff need support so they can continue caring for others.
Bimani closed by inviting residents and potential volunteers to contact CityServ (connect@cityservcares.org; cityservcares.org), visit the office for a tour, or meet with staff to discuss volunteer or partnership opportunities. She thanked the audience and encouraged continued engagement.
The remarks were a public presentation; no formal motions or votes were recorded during the segment.
