Cameo House is a transformative residential alternative to incarceration for justice-involved women and their children. CJCJ operates the program in partnership with the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office.
At Cameo House, mothers live safely with their children while receiving supporting services that foster healing and stability. Grounded in gender-responsive, trauma-informed care, the program helps families rebuild their lives and create lasting change. Since1998, Cameo House has served as a beacon of hope, supporting women to overcome homelessness and incarceration while reconnecting with their families and community.
A safe pathway to stability and self-sufficiency
Why “Cameo House”?
The name Cameo House represents transformation and inner strength. It embodies our belief that everyone has the capacity for change and growth. With the right environment, opportunities and compassion, people can uncover their potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities. This metaphor extends to the participants of Cameo House who, with guidance and support, discover their own worth and place within the community.
Eligibility & referrals
Cameo House works directly with justice and community partners to offer justice-involved women a place to live with their children as an alternative to incarceration. Women join our program to: 1) serve out their prison/jail sentences, 2) come as part of a pre-trial agreement, 3)or to transition back to the community without risk of homelessness or re-criminalization.
Participants must be 18 years or older, women identified, justice involved, and certifiably homeless. They may also have a child/children in custody or be in either formal or informal reunification processes. Participants must also agree to the Cameo House program expectations.
Cameo House can receive referrals from any justice partner, legal representative, community agency or advocate, or by self-referral. The completedreferral documents may be emailed directly to Cameo House Program Director Charity Harris at harris@cjcj.org. Self-referrals may also be done over the phone by calling Cameo House directly at 415−621−5661 x 100.
How it works
Cameo House is San Francisco’s only long-term residential program for justice-involved women with children over age three.
Most participants stay 12 – 18 months, receiving individualized care from a diverse, multidisciplinary team available 24⁄7. Many staff members have lived experience, some are even Cameo House graduates. Our team creates an empathetic and welcoming environment, while providing culturally responsive support.
Cameo House helps women and their families strengthen these core areas:
- Mental and physical health and substance use support
- Parenting and life skills coaching
- Education and vocational training
- Pathways to stable housing and employment
- Justice system advocacy and navigation
- Financial literacy and self-sufficiency programs
- Healthy relationship and community engagement workshops
Keeping Families Together
“The system is set up to separate families and Cameo House is not that at all. They will fight 100% to keep families together and to help you be with your children. That’s different from the other programs out there.”
Program History
Founded in 1998, Cameo House began as a safe space for women and children experiencing homelessness. In 2006, it shifted its focus to justice-involved women, and by 2014, became San Francisco’s first residential alternative sentencing program for women with children.
A January 2021 program evaluation found that of the 22 women and 18 children served from September 2019 to September 2020:
“I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it weren’t for Cameo House. A lot has to do with myself, but they gave me a place to do that…I feel like they gave me a space to find myself…and a chance to get it together.”
Support for Cameo House Graduates
In 2024, Cameo House launched a groundbreaking initiative to ensure long-term stability for participants after they transition back into the community.
Through a partnership with the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women, residents now receive income support for one year following their program graduation.
This initiative strengthens our commitment to economic self-sufficiency and family stability. We provide women with the financial foundation to sustain their success after graduating from Cameo House. This may involve support to maintain housing, pursue education or employment, each woman is different.
By extending care beyond residency, we continue to break cycles of incarceration and poverty, empowering women and their families to build secure, independent futures.
Volunteer at Cameo House
Interested in volunteering with Cameo House? We’d love to have you!
Check out our Cameo House Volunteer Opportunities and apply today!
Contact: Charity Harris, Director of Cameo House and Women’s Services
harris@cjcj.org
Find out more about CJCJ job, internship, and volunteer opportunities and applications here.