Rich has lived experience of homelessness and addiction. He is a former Marine, MMA, Fighter, and Police Officer whose life has not been easy. While dealing with trauma Rich turned to drugs as an escape from reality. Ultimately, he ended up homeless for 4 years. Since then, Rich has gone through programs and reflects on his journey to self-sufficiency and recovery. Rich has since then overcome homelessness and is someone who wants to give back and be of service to those who are in a similar position he was in.
Shannon
Shannon came to Interfaith through a referral to be part of our RWC Program (Recovery and Wellness). After successfully graduating from the program, she is now a live in Manager of a women's sober living home. Through the trials and tribulations of her life, Shannon has overcome homelessness, is sober, and lives a life to help others.
Mei pt.2
Mei Bautista returns to give updates on how being on the show last year has given her voice back. In Mei’s own words, she “suffered bouts of homelessness throughout her life and continues to push forward through many years of trauma since childhood." She recognizes that healing is not linear; she is actively trying to rise above her challenges and create a better future. In remembrance of her stepfather who died while living on the streets, she created Humanitote. For every bag sold, Mei donates a Humanitote bag to Interfaith filled with toiletries which are given directly to Humans experiencing homelessness. Humanitote also gives Mei hope as she sews each bag. Mei hopes to reunite with her five younger siblings who were taken away and adopted over ten years ago and she puts out a call to anyone who can help with reunification services. Mei will be at Change Your Mind this Saturday May 6th with Humanitote for the 2nd year in a row! You can also support by visiting her store, Daydream Here in Escondido, at 227 E. Grand Ave and by following Humanitote on Instagram @humanitote.
.daydreamhere.com/page/humanitote-project.
Elizabeth
Liz Rosas faced homelessness in San Diego for a year, from December 2013 to December 2014. Now, she actively advocates for others who are currently experiencing homelessness. She is a member of the Regional Task Force on Homelessness' Continuum of Care Advisory Board, representing those who are and were previously homeless. Additionally, she actively participates in the San Diego Housing Federation's Homeless-Experienced Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) Network.
Drew Moser
Drew Moser is the Executive Director of the Lucky Duck Foundation, which raises money to fund, activate and lead high-impact programs that alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. He has been in this role since early 2019. Drew is passionate about facilitating the generosity of donors who are committed to immediately helping those suffering from homelessness. He joins us to talk about the homeless crisis and the work that is being done to help those in need.
https://www.luckyduckfoundation.org/
Sunny Rey
Sunny Rey, was born into homelessness and dropped off in San Diego by her birth mom where her early experiences in foster care into adoption rooted her first musings as a writer at age 12. Growing up in the system with social workers ever present, Sunny found herself the rebel activist with a strong desire to build communities that combined art and a welcoming inclusive movement.
Sunny's early adulthood was spent with 15 years working in the social work arena while writing books on the side and raising her two children as a single mom. She recently founded a 501(C)3 where she put together hygiene kits for the homeless with fellow poets.
https://www.poetsundergroundpress.com/
Tiny Homes with Ellen and Renee
Here to talk about their expertise with (tiny) Housing is Ellen Stone and Renee Seevers.
Ellen is the Founder and Managing Director of Tiny Home Central Consulting and Renee is the CEO of, the much anticipated, TinyFest.
Ellen and Renee partnered with Interfaith Community Services to bring you a showcase of "Tiny Homes" - an alternative, compact, and efficient way of living. Much can be said about these tiny homes, but can they be a big solution for Housing? Listen and find out!
TinyFest Ad Break:
Interfaith Community Services along with our wonderful guests, Ellen and Renee, bring you an amazing opportunity at TinyFest! Curious about Tiny Homes? Want to support Interfaith? Thanks to TinyFest Events, you have a chance to come and join the fun while supporting your local non-profit.
The event will be on Sat, Match 11, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM & Sun, Mar 12, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Come on down to the Del Mar Fairgrounds - 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, CA 92014.
Visit tinyfest.events to purchase your tickets.
Visit tinynow.org to learn more about Tiny Homes.
Holly Point-in-Time Count
Holly Nelson serves as Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager for the City of Escondido. She's also a friend and former employee of Interfaith. Holly began her career with us as a case manager and has shown an unrelenting commitment over the years to helping to secure housing and benefits to unsheltered members of our community. Please listen to our latest episode of Homeless in San Diego to learn more about Holly and the Point in Time Count she's spearheading this month.
Marc Prescott
Marc is a Volunteer at Interfaith, who feels passionately about giving back to those in need. In his adventurous career he has worked in television as a new reporter, and an entrepreneur in many fields of media entertainment. While perusing his entrepreneurship Marc found himself close to homelessness. Now Marc understands how easily being homeless can happen and that it can happen to anyone. Through his compassion, Marc now wants to help those in need and does so by Volunteering in Interfaith.
Jimmy pt. 2
Jimmy, came through Interfaith twice, and is now housed, sober, and working fulltime as an employee with the Union. In his story he shares that when facing homelessness, it was difficult to accept help when it was offered, but through the endless efforts of the Homeless Outreach team he accepted the help and got the help he needed. Through his and trials and tribulations Jimmy has turned his life around, and hopes that he can inspire people with his story.