Helping Our Homeless Seniors and the Role of Affordable Housing

Bruce, a formerly homeless senior, in his apartment.

On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Rebecca Louie, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. Wakeland is a leader in the creation and operation of affordable housing in California that address the needs of our communities.

Bruce’s unit in San Diego.

Rebecca also introduces Bruce, a resident of supportive housing Wakeland has built in San Diego. Bruce is a Vietnam veteran who had a successful career in construction. After severe health problems led him to lose his job when he was in his late 60s, he became homeless. Bruce shares his story from experiencing homelessness as a senior to how affordable housing helped save his life.

Calls to Action:

• Give your time to something you care about - as Bruce explains, “it takes a lot of people to make everything run and it takes a lot of money”

• Learn more about one of the programs Bruce discusses on the show: St. Paul’s PACE

• Be a vocal YIMBY (yes in my backyard) to show policy makers that you want affordable housing in your community

• If you’re interested in viewing Wakeland’s affordable housing units Rebecca mentioned, please click here

An Opportunity to Live a Lawful Life

Steve Binder, Co-founder of Homeless Court

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Steve Binder, Deputy Public Defender and Co-founder of innovative court program: Homeless Court.

Homeless Court Program in action.

Steve and Greg discuss the game-changing court program that helps homeless individuals get back on their feet and leave the streets. Steve provides listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at the origination of Homeless Court in San Diego, how the program works, and the national expansion of this first-of-its-kind program.

Calls to Action:

• Request that our officials cease using the criminal justice system as a way to cite/arrest homeless people and, instead, to fund programs and strengthen opportunity for people struggling with homelessness

• Learn more about the Homeless Court Program in San Diego by clicking here

• Voice your support of Homeless Court by reaching out to the American Bar Association Commission on Homelessness and Poverty

Love is Worth Living For

Jill in her office, where she has worked for 7.5 years.

On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Deacon Jim Vargas, CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. Established in 1950, Father Joe’s Villages has a mission to end and prevent homelessness, one life at a time.

Deacon Jim also introduces Jill, a former client of Father Joe’s Villages who shares her story from broken and hopeless, experiencing homelessness for 10 years, to her decision that love was worth living for.

Calls to Action:

• Reach out. If you know someone who needs help, connect with them and encourage them to seek services to begin to rebuild their life.

• Volunteer with organizations like Father Joe’s Villages and Interfaith Community Services - both organizations rely on help from thousands of volunteers each year.

• Donate, or as Jill says, “Give. Give. Give.” Your donation translates to services that help people like Jill overcome homelessness.

Exploring Life on the Street in San Diego

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Dennis Stein, filmmaker of "Tony - The Movie." Greg and Dennis also welcome Tony Rodriguez, star of the movie and native San Diegan to discuss his experience with homelessness.

Dennis and Tony provide listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at how the documentary developed- growing from a film about life on the streets, to also embracing a focus on understanding solutions. What do communities do to significantly reduce homelessness? What is happening in San Diego? And does Tony find housing?

Calls to Action:

• Watch “Tony - The Movie” to learn more about Tony’s story, life on the street, and solutions

• Reach out to the Regional Task Force on the Homeless and your elected officials to show your support for a regional long-term plan to address homelessness in San Diego

• If you are a small business owner and interested in learning more about Business for Good that Dennis discusses, please click here.

Being Homeless Sticks With You

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Jim Harris, President of the University of San Diego. Jim shares that his passion for helping those experiencing poverty came from hearing his parent's stories of growing up during the Great Depression, and how he even experienced his own bout of homelessness in college when he was forced to live out of his car.

Greg and Jim also discuss what USD is doing surrounding the issue of homelessness in San Diego, how the trauma and fear one experiences while being homeless is life-long, and what those who are looking to help those in need can do to truly make a difference.

Building Houses For The Homeless

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Ginger Hitzke, low-income housing developer and owner of Hitzke Development Corporation. With a long-standing passion for helping the homeless, Ginger and her team build affordable housing units across San Diego County, as well as supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals looking to get rehoused.

Ginger also introduces her guest, friend, and co-worker Carol: a San Diego native who found herself homeless for the first time earlier this year. Carol shares her physical and emotional struggles with homelessness, and details how she received multiple tickets for "illegal lodging" while laying down in a sleeping bag behind Home Depot. Carol and Ginger also recount their journey from strangers, to friends, to colleagues and how today, Ginger is living and working at a Hitzke Development property in Lemon Grove with what she calls a second chance at life.

Calls to Action:

• Reach out to your local elected officials to advocate for more housing in your city; set a calendar reminder for March 1st and send them an email

• Support local measures that create more affordable housing

• Donate in-kind items to organizations such as Crisis House and Interfaith Community Services (click here for a current “needs list”)

No Veteran Should Live On The Street

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by colleague Mitchell Snow, Case Manager for Homeless Veterans at Interfaith. Mitchell shares with listeners his path from Interfaith volunteer, to intern, to staff person and how earning his Masters in Social Work from USC defined his life's work helping homeless veterans move off of the streets, into transitional housing, and eventually into homes of their own.

Mitchell then introduces Phillip, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam during the 1970's. Phillip shares with listeners his journey transitioning into civilian life, the struggles he faced after becoming incarcerated, and how he has maintained hope through all of life's ups and downs.

Calls to Action:

• In Phillip’s own words, recognize that there are thousands of veterans living on the streets in San Diego and across the nation. Make a difference in their lives by making a donation to an organization helping veterans, or volunteer with an agency like Interfaith Community Services.

• Connect any homeless community members you may know and encounter with resources and community partners like Veterans Village of San Diego, Community HousingWorks, Interfaith Community Services, and the Veterans Administration.

• If you are a veteran in need of services, stop by the new County Building for Veteran Services at 1701 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058. This new building is a one-stop shop for veterans in need of programs and services, and is right across the street from Interfaith’s own Veteran Service Center.

Helping the Homeless This Holiday Season

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Micki Hickox, Volunteer Services Manager, at Interfaith. Micki shares with Greg how her late grandmother instilled in her a passion for volunteerism at a young age, how she works as a "matchmaker" for volunteers, and how those looking to get involved this holiday season can make a difference in the lives of individuals and families.

Calls to Action:

• Consider making a monetary gift! On our website, you can dictate to which program you would like your contribution to go, or you can let us know to use your gift where it is needed most.

• Donate a gift card to an individual or family in need! Gift cards can either be used to supplement Adopt a Family gift bags, or can be passed out to our intake clients during the holiday season.

• Visit our website to check out a complete listing of both Individual and Group Volunteer Opportunities!

'Voices of Our City' Choir Shines Spotlight on Homelessness

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by John Brady, Production Manager of the Voices of Our City choir. Voices of our City serves as a space for mutual aid and community building, as well as giving voice to San Diego's homeless community, past and present. The choir showcases the abilities and powerful potential of every individual, and provides a positive sense of community and solidarity for people facing extreme hardships and their neighbors.

John shares with Greg his own experience with homelessness and how he was connected to the choir, as well as details the stories of his fellow choir members - some of whom continue to live on the streets today.

To support Voices of Our City, please visit their website or attend their annual Holiday Party by clicking here.

Calls to Action:

• Make your voice heard! Vote in future elections and support causes your find important in your own community.

• Join Voices of Our City at one of their rehearsals every Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Singing is optional - you also can serve as a volunteer during the lunch portion immediately following the rehearsal. More information can be found here.

• Support Voices of our City by making a donation or attending their 2018 Holiday Party!

Tickets & Fines Can Devastate the Homeless

On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Public Defender Terri Peters from the County of San Diego. Greg and Terri also welcome Tom Christie, Homeless Court Advocate with Interfaith Community Services, to discuss the Homeless Court Program and how it works with our local homeless population to dismiss fines in order to get their drivers licenses restored, garnishes lifted, and provide them access to a variety of other benefits.

Terri and Tom then share the stories of some of their clients they have worked with on getting cases dismissed, as well as list the many ways the public can get involved with the Homeless Court Program.

Calls to Action:

• If you are homeless and need assistance in getting your fines cleared, please access the Homeless Court Program! You can learn more by clicking here, or by visiting Interfaith Community Services on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays to meet with Tom and our Homeless Court volunteers.

• If you are a nonprofit organization and are interested in becoming a Homeless Court Service Provider, please click here.

• If you would like to volunteer with the Homeless Court program, please click here. Opportunities with Homeless Court are under the “Individual Opportunities” tab. You can also email Tom if you would like to volunteer for the North County Stand Down event on February 7th - 10th, 2019 in Vista.

• Support law enforcement teams like the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) in Oceanside who are embedding social workers and social services into their practices. To learn more about Oceanside HOT, please click here or listen to our earlier episode with Office Josh Ferry of the Oceanside Police Department.