Like many little girls, when Bella Crotte comes home from dance class she likes to show her family what she has learned. For years, she had no dance class and no place to call home. Now she does, thanks to Hamilton Families, which helps homeless families and is one of our nonprofit recipients of Dreamforce ‘18.

Salesforce’s annual autumn conference – which registers more than 170,000 attendees – packs San Francisco hotels, leaving some attendees scrambling to find a place to stay. Imagine if that was your family’s situation every night. There are more than 1,800 homeless children currently attending public school in San Francisco. For 33 years, Hamilton Families has worked to help children like Bella.

Since 2011 Salesforce and Co-CEO Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne, have contributed more than $15 million to Hamilton Families, and Salesforce employees have volunteered their time. This Dreamforce, attendees can help, too.

How to help Hamilton Families at Dreamforce ‘18:

• Learn more at a panel on “Disrupting Homelessness: A Systems Approach” Thursday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. PST :00 p.m. PST at the Salesforce.org Lodge in the Westin St. Francis with Tomiquia Moss, the CEO of Hamilton Families, Sherilyn Adams, the Executive Director of Larkin Street Youth Services, and Naomi Morenzoni, the Vice President of Philanthropy Strategy for Salesforce.org.

• Get inspired by an educational experience on homelessness at the #DFGives Pavilion that  highlights success stories from Hamilton Families and Larkin Street Youth Services.

• Play the Quest Dreamforce ‘18 scavenger hunt to win a prize and unlock a $50 donation toward raising $1 million to help end homelessness in the Bay Area.

How Hamilton Families works

Hamilton Families works with building owners and landlords to help families find and move into permanent housing. Staff then work with families to develop professional goals to increase their income. And programs connect families with vital resources that help them build community and find access to mental and physical health resources, including education, asset building, and financial counseling.

Bella’s mom, Blanca Crotte, says two years in a home made possible by Hamilton Families has changed her children’s lives. “They went through so much, moving and shelters. Now that we are home together, we are really beginning to heal. It’s hard work, but slowly I can tell things are moving forward and the kids are more focused in school and engaged. They are connected to therapists and doctors and after-school programs.”

Dreamforce ‘18 is a chance for conference attendees to see what is possible with Salesforce by connecting with resources, learning new skills, and building a better future. Hamilton Families helps families like the Crottes share that dream, too.