Cameo House

Cameo House is an alternative sentencing program for homeless, formerly incarcerated women and their children. 

Cameo House provides supportive services and reunification for women with up to two children. No other program in San Francisco focuses on this particular population, female ex-offenders with children.

Why are we called Cameo House?

A cameo is seemingly plain stone that, when carefully carved, produces an exquisite silhouette of a woman and becomes a priceless gem. The symbolism of this transformation applies to our participants who, through the help of the program, come to realize that they too are exquisite and priceless members of both the Cameo House family and our community. 

Learn more about Cameo House, hear from residents, and see photos of the rooms and amenities >> 

Eligibility and referrals

Residents must be 18 years or older, committed to sobriety, have at least one child in custody or in formal reunification services, and be certifiably homeless. 

How it works

The Cameo House staff serve as a multi-disciplinary team, supporting each family in building skills in areas such as: 

• Parent and child attachment
• Stress management
• Breaking unhealthy relationship patterns
• Economic self-sufficiency
• Anger management
• Educational and vocational attainment

Cameo House staff member with a resident's child

History

Cameo House was founded in 1997 as a transitional housing program for homeless women with children. In 2014, in partnership with the San Francisco Adult Probation Department (SFAPD), Cameo House established San Francisco's first alternative sentencing program for women with children.

During the 2011 operating year, Cameo House was able to complete a total renovation of Cameo House, including clients and staff quarters. The extensive rehabilitation of the building has created a renewed sense of pride of Cameo House for the staff and clients.

Shirley Lamarr, Director of Cameo House 

Cameo House 

424 Guerrero St. 

San Francisco, CA 94110

Tel: (415) 703-0600

Fax: (415) 703-0550

slamarr@cjcj.org