CHRISTINA SUTHERLAND is the Founding Executive Director of Shelter Network of San Mateo County, a private non-profit organization, providing the county with a comprehensive network of housing and social services for homeless families and single adults. Shelter Network has been recognized three times by HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its model transitional housing programs. In 1992, directly acknowledging Chris’s work, the Management Center of San Francisco awarded Shelter Network its Award for Excellence for outstanding management of a non-profit in Northern California. Since she became Executive Director in 1987, at the age of 25, Shelter Network has grown from one shelter and a staff of three, with a budget of $150,000, to four programs county-wide, a staff of 50 and budget of $1.5 million. Since 1993, more than 85% of families and 50% of single individuals assisted by Shelter Network have broken the cycle of homelessness and returned to homes of their own.
