Homeless in San Diego

This week on Homeless in San Diego, we're honored to welcome Mario, a recent graduate of our detox and residential program, and his Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor, Sandy. Mario shares his powerful story of recovery, the challenges he's overcome, and how his time at Interfaith's detox center gave him a renewed sense of purpose. Links: https://interfaithservices.org/services/treatment/ Withdrawal Management Number: 760 489-6380 *193 HIPAA Compliant Text Line: 760 203-3350    

Tune in to this data-driven episode of Interfaith's Homeless in San Diego, where we explore the landscape of homelessness in our region. Joining us is Dr. Jennifer Nations, Managing Director of UC San Diego's Homelessness Hub, who shares insights from her new study, Homelessness Trends and Overnight Emergency Services in San Diego County, and explains how her applied research supports policy and program changes related to housing affordability, transportation, evictions, and health.    Homelessness Hub Website: https://homelessnesshub.ucsd.edu/   Report 1 Homelessness Trends and Overnight Emergency Services in San Diego County, June 2024. Access Report 1 here   Report 2 Passing Through and Staying Put: Emergency Shelter Trajectories in San Diego County, 2018-2023, January 2025. Access Report 2 here  

Don't miss this episode of Interfaith's Homeless in San Diego to see how Neighborhood Healthcare's street medicine team is making a local impact. Meet Ana, Peer Support Specialist, and Saul, Street Medicine Medical Assistant, as they share how they provide medical care, support sobriety, and collaborate with Interfaith. Links: https://www.nhcare.org/ Withdrawal Management Number: 760 489-6380 #193 HIPAA Compliant Text Line: 760 203-3350 City Council The meeting for our Detox expansion will take place on Wednesday, February 19th at 5 p.m. at Escondido City Hall (201 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025). Free public parking is available in several municipal lots on the City Hall campus. Wear Interfaith blue for support! To write a letter of support click here: https://win.newmode.net/intesa/550wwashingtonconditionalusepermitdetoxmodification/clone More info and where to get Narcan: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/mcsd/mcsd/outreach-&-education/Street%20Medicine%20Contact%20List.pdf https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/od2a/naloxone.html

This week's episode of Homeless in San Diego delves into the critical work being done to combat addiction and help people experiencing homelessness. Hear from Certified SUD Counselor Robert and our Peer Support Specialist Nikole at Interfaith's Recovery and Wellness Center. Learn about the comprehensive support they provide, from initial withdrawal management (detox) to our ongoing residential programs designed to help individuals rebuild their lives. Links: Withdrawal Management Number: 760 489-6380 #193 HIPAA Compliant Text Line: 760 203-3350 City Council The meeting for our Detox expansion will take place on Wednesday, February 19th at 5 p.m. at Escondido City Hall (201 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025). Free public parking is available in several municipal lots on the City Hall campus.  Wear Interfaith blue for support! To write a letter of support click here: https://win.newmode.net/intesa/550wwashingtonconditionalusepermitdetoxmodification/clone  More info and where to get Narcan: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/od2a/naloxone.html

Today we're talking with Tamera Kohler, Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH). With 19 years of experience in addressing poverty and homelessness, Tamera provides invaluable insights into the complex landscape of homelessness in our region. We discuss her leadership at the RTFH since 2018, her role as a trusted expert in San Diego County, and, importantly, delve into the upcoming Point-in-Time Count. This crucial count provides a snapshot of homelessness in our community and informs critical resource allocation and policy decisions. Click the link in the bio to watch or listen to this important conversation.   Links: https://sandiego.pointintime.info/ https://www.rtfhsd.org/reports-data/ https://www.rtfhsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/RTFH-HMIS-Data-Newsletter-Dec-2024.pdf https://www.rtfhsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-PITC-Regional-Cities-Breakdown-revised-Final-June-17-1.pdf  

On this episode of Homeless in San Diego, hear Kenneth Straight's remarkable journey. After his service in the US Army ended in 2013, Kenneth struggled to regain stability upon returning to San Diego. Support from Veterans Village of San Diego during his recovery was a turning point. Interfaith's Veterans Employment and Training Services Program then provided the crucial support he needed to secure employment, including covering the cost of necessary safety classes. Now working as a machinist, with personal protective equipment and tools provided by Interfaith, Kenneth has rebuilt his life and now shares a home with his wife and dog.   Links:  https://wfw.org/  https://vvsd.net/standdown/ 

In this episode of Homeless in San Diego, we sit down with Sunny Soto-Brisco, the heart and soul of Sunny Street Outreach, a 501(c)(3) organization providing restaurant quality meals to the houseless and underserved communities in Oceanside. Sunny Soto-Brisco is a dedicated activist born and raised on the ancestral lands of the Luiseño/Juaneño band of Mission Indians in Oceanside. In just four years, Sunny Street Outreach has served over 10,000 meals. Tune in to hear Sunny's inspiring story, her journey from grassroots mutual aid to an established nonprofit, and a discussion on how we can foster collaboration between traditional nonprofits and grassroots initiatives.   Links:  https://sunnystreetoutreach.org/  https://www.instagram.com/

On this episode of Homeless in San Diego, we interview Katie Holden, a former Occupational Therapist Intern at our Abraham & Lillian Turk Recuperative Care Center. As an intern at the Turk Center, she conducted a study on pet ownership during transitional housing. Join us to learn about the benefits of keeping owners and their pets together, the challenges they face, and the barriers to getting an Emotional Support Animal letter. Katie earned her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos.  Links: https://www.usa.edu/

Join us this week on Homeless in San Diego to listen to Tom McDaniel's story. Tom went through both our residential and outpatient programs, worked hard in college, and two months ago graduated with his degree in air conditioning & refrigeration from Palomar College. He was recently accepted into the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana for Wildlife Biology. In this episode, Tom shares his journey of resilience and growth. He talks about learning how to trust, volunteering at the Rising Scholars Network, the importance of a strong support network, and setting goals for success. Links:   Rising Scholars (Transitions) Program – Rising Scholars Network  https://www.palomar.edu/risingscholars/ 

Tune in to Interfaith's Homeless in San Diego podcast as we feature local artist Mike Smack. Mike joins us to speak about his inspiring journey and the beautiful mural he created in our Escondido shelter. Inspired by conversations with detox clients, he incorporated serene clouds and even added a citrus design after seeing fresh oranges and lemons in our food pantry. Mike uses painting and other artistic practices to explore his curiosity of the human experience. While wandering the world for 5+ years, he found a universal language in art - a means to connect cultural gaps and ascend communication barriers. Mike calls this mural "one of the most fun and meaningful projects I've ever worked on," and we're grateful for the lasting impact it will have on future residents of our Recovery programs. Tune in to hear Mike's story of creativity, community, and making a difference through art. Links:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms.perp/  Website: https://www.mikesmack.com 

Welcome to this special episode of Homeless in San Diego. Today, we are honored to have Brandon O'Connell as our guest. Brandon, a Job Coach at Vantage Point for three years, is now pursuing his own company to help people coming out of incarceration. His journey from Skid Row to a stable and fulfilling life highlights his remarkable resilience, inner strength, and unwavering commitment to personal growth. Brandon runs his own podcast, Trash Can Talk, and collaborates with various companies in T-shirt printing, music, art, clothing, and stand-up comedy.   In this episode, Brandon shares insights on:   His personal journey Reintegration programs for people coming out of incarceration The evolution of mental health facilities   Tune in to hear Brandon's inspiring story, how to give yourself a chance, and find support.   Links:   Insta: https://www.instagram.com/trashcancut/   Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trash-can-talk/id1628343387

In this episode of Homeless in San Diego, we welcome our first-ever property manager, Eddie Walker. With over a hundred episodes behind us, we're excited to bring you a new perspective on the challenges and solutions surrounding homelessness. Eddie has been working with us for several years at Quince Park Apartments, providing invaluable partnership and support in our mission to help those in need. Join us as Eddie shares his experiences, discusses the obstacles property managers face, and explores the approaches he's seen make a difference. 

This week on Homeless in San Diego, we welcome filmmaker Jason Ritchie, a storyteller driven by the struggles of his own life. Ritchie was incarcerated for over 17 years in the California prison system and has overcome drug and alcohol addiction. He used education for his personal rehabilitation and believes it to be a crucial contributing factor for success in re-entry and recovery. Through Project Rebound, Ritchie has gone on to graduate from SDSU with an Interdisciplinary BA in Film, Journalism, and Art, and was accepted into a Master's program in Learning Design and Technology. His goal is to help others tell their stories of incarceration and addiction in the hopes of bringing awareness that these issues do not discriminate. Ritchie recently received a fellowship through Columbia University's INCITE program, an interdisciplinary institute that produces knowledge for public action at Columbia University. There, he is creating an experiential theatrical installation piece titled "Street Seen." The play is expected to debut in November and invites audiences to view life from the perspective of people who live on the streets. Don't miss this inspiring episode that challenges perceptions and showcases the strength found in second chances.   https://www.theunhousedcollective.org/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiegounhousedcollective/    https://www.voicesofourcity.org/   https://www.housingsandiego.org/heal-network   https://www.housingca.org/our-work/run/   https://incite.columbia.edu/mission    https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/student-success/project-rebound  

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation month we have a remarkable podcast episode for you.   Our guest today is none other than David Fitzgibbons, a dedicated volunteer and donor at Interfaith. David has been serving as an intake volunteer every Tuesday and Thursday for over four years, helping to meet the basic needs of our community. He assists with obtaining food, hygiene products, clothes, resources, and connects people with a Case Manager as needed. David's commitment to our community is exemplary, and we are grateful for his service. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and we invite you to listen in and hear David's perspective. You might even be inspired to become our next intake volunteer. https://interfaithservices.org/volunteer/ https://interfaithservices.org/donate/ https://interfaithservices.org/donation-inquiry/

"I think one of the things I'm most proud of about the organization and obviously your leadership is a huge part of that, is that the organization has taken this bold stance to say we are going to stand up against injustice, we are going to serve the most vulnerable, be proud of it, and we're not going to be quiet about it." Dr. Nate Sessoms This week, we have a very special episode in store for 'Homeless in San Diego.' For the first time ever, our podcast is hosted by Dr. Nate Sessoms, CEO of Success Beyond Measure, and our Board Chair, Dr. Kadri Webb. Join them as they explore this year's theme, 'African Americans and the Arts,' delve into black history, and discuss its personal significance. They will share their experiences, stories, and accomplishments, shedding light on Interfaith's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) within the community.

Joining CEO of Interfaith Community Services, Greg Anglea,  are 3 employees each with their own diverse careers and their take on the Point In Time Count. Throughout the podcast, we tackle essential questions, such as the motivation behind participating in the PITC, the personal experiences of those involved, and the impact of the count on our community. Discover the stories behind the statistics, uncover the reasons people decide to work with those experiencing homelessness, and explore the concept of "meeting people where they are at."   2023 Data : https://www.rtfhsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-City-of-San-Diego-Region-Breakdown.pdf   Volunteer: https://www.interfaithservices.org/volunteer/

Interfaith's podcast, 'Homeless in San Diego,' is making a grand return! Not only are we launching the first episode back with senior investigative reporter Lisa Halverstadt, but going forward each episode will have a video version. Lisa Halverstadt is a senior investigative reporter for Voice of San Diego who has been digging into the region's homelessness crisis for more than eight years. Join us for this episode as we interview Lisa the most tenured reporter on homelessness in San Diego. As we cover our broken homeless system, the increased need for behavioral health beds, and the challenges people face experiencing homelessness. If you have ever wondered how difficult it is for people to get help this episode offers invaluable insight. Make sure to look at the show notes below P.S. After we recorded this episode Lisa released a two-part in-depth story on homeless hospital patients detailing the complex reality our San Diegans face on a daily basis. If you have the time we highly encourage you to read the story as well. Email: lisa@vosd.org X: @LisaHalverstadt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-halverstadt-781a283/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaHalverstadt https://www.homelessinsandiego.org/listen/jen https://voiceofsandiego.org/2023/11/03/law-could-increase-demand-for-often-elusive-addiction-treatment/ https://www.talesofthestreet.com/ vosd.org/lisa https://voiceofsandiego.org/2024/01/03/county-under-pressure-to-deliver-more-behavioral-health-beds/ https://voiceofsandiego.org/2023/12/28/san-diegos-homeless-response-took-a-punitive-turn-in-2023/ https://voiceofsandiego.org/2024/01/31/theyre-medically-cleared-get-them-out-why-homeless-hospital-patients-end-up-on-the-street/ https://voiceofsandiego.org/2024/02/06/why-shelter-is-often-elusive-for-homeless-hospital-patients/ 

Join us for a reflective journey in this special episode of "Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories" as we pay tribute to the late Peter Seidler. Your host, Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, guides us through a poignant exploration of a past episode featuring Peter Seidler, Managing Partner of the San Diego Padres. In this thoughtful retrospective, we revisit the insightful conversation between Greg and Peter, delving into Peter's background in business and Major League Baseball. Together, they explore the transformative moments that shaped Peter's commitment to addressing homelessness in San Diego. Peter's personal experiences, including his battle with cancer and the meaningful connections he forged while walking the streets of Downtown San Diego, provide a powerful backdrop for this reflection. As we honor the legacy of Peter Seidler, this episode serves as a tribute to his dedication and compassion towards making a positive impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Join us for a heartfelt journey as we revisit the wisdom and insights shared by Peter in this memorable episode.

Scott life had hit rock bottom. After serving in the Air Force and battling homelessness and addiction on the streets of San Diego, he felt trapped in despair. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerged when he realized he had the unwavering support of the VA. With nothing left to lose, he sought solace at the VA hospital, where he began his journey to recovery. During his time there, Aspell was informed a program for homeless veterans run by Interfaith Community Services. Determined to turn his life around, he immersed himself in the program at the Abraham & Lillian Turk Recuperative Care Center.   Aware that the road ahead wouldn't be smooth, Aspell acknowledged the challenges he faced. Although he possessed disability benefits and social security, his credit score is in poor shape. Yet, he holds onto optimism, hoping that he would qualify for a low-income home. With determination fueling his spirit and newfound support guiding his path, Aspell embarked on a quest for stability and a fresh start. The echoes of his troubled past spurred him forward, eager to break free from the chains that once bound him. As he seeks a place to call his own, Aspell dreams of a future built on resilience, strength, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Hugh Hughes is the president of Residency Apparel, a social enterprise using custom, branded apparel to support women transitioning into permanent housing in Los Angeles. For over the last ten years, Residency has worked with and alongside the unhoused population in LA, and they are able to fund that work through their donors and their clients that need their own branded merchandise. Their programs are two-fold: supportive employment, and sponsorship of trauma therapy for women in need. You can learn more about their work at www.residencyapparel.com

We welcome back Lynn Solorzano, Founder and President of Ashley's Hope.  Lynn started this non-profit in memory of her daughter, Ashley.  Ashley passed away after 8 years living on the streets of San Diego -- she was only 25.  The mission of Ashley's Hope is to provide people struggling with homeless-related issues dignity, respect and most importantly, hope.  Lynn is providing all Interfaith locations with clean, gently used clothing on a regular basis.   Learn More About Ashley's Hope: https://ashleyshope.org/

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 12 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 someone who wants to give back and be of service to those who are in a similar position he was in.  

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. 

We are happy to welcome back Mei. Mei inspires all of us at Interfaith.  In Mei's own words, she “suffered bouts of homelessness throughout her life and has managed to obtain secure housing and push forward through many years of trauma since childhood. “ In 2020, Mei opened Daydream, a gift shop located on Grand Avenue in Downtown Escondido, and launched a separate line selling her handmade “Humanitote” bags. For every bag sold, Mei donates a Humanitote bag to Interfaith filled with toiletries which are given directly to Humans experiencing homelessness.  As a business owner, and Interfaith partner, Mei furthered her work by collaborating on an ongoing fundraising event called Breakfast & Bags “for a unified effort in helping Interfaith help our houseless neighbors in need,” at Sunny Side Kitchen in Escondido where she launches each new Humanitote Collection at the event. We are grateful to Mei and Sunny Side Kitchen for their support!  Breakfast & Bags are held on the second Saturday of each month from 8am-12pm. Join us in supporting Mei by visiting her store, Daydream in Escondido, and supporting her Humanitote project at https://www.daydreamhere.com/page/humanitote-project.

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 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.  

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 home less with fellow poets .  https://www.poetsundergroundpress.com

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 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 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, 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.  

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.  

Meet Pam! Pam has overcome adversity and is ready to help others do the same!   Pam is one of Interfaith's newest employees. Despite recently joining, she has had to become familiar with our motto of "helping people help themselves" long before she joined us. Adopted from the Philippines at an early age, Pam grew up in Fallbrook where she often felt isolated and without a real support system. At the height of the pandemic, her life at home and relationships were not healthy. To escape the struggles at home, she became homeless and often couch surfed. Although Pam went without a home for a long time, she persevered and enrolled at UC Riverside where she worked hard to earn a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and even made the Dean's list for academic excellence! Today, Pam is excited to share and use her experiences to help people in need overcome their own difficult situations, all while continuing to further her education and goals. Pam embodies our mission of helping people in need overcome difficult situations and reach new heights!

We're taking a short recess in recording this week while we prepare for our Annual Meeting and Grand Opening of our Turk Recuperative Care Center on October 26th .  This gives us the perfect opportunity to look back on a previous episode with Mauro a local artist and the visionary behind the largest mural in Escondido titled "Journey to Healing."  This mural will live on as a symbol of recovery for all those who will begin transforming their lives at the Abraham and Lillian Turk Recuperative Care Center, for years to come. 

As we take a short break lets reflect on one of our most popular episodes. Please note new phone number is : 760.489.6380  Marlon is a Navy veteran from New Jersey. After serving for 20 years and being deployed to San Diego, he was able to retire in 2012. Yet, after being affected by an identity fraud scam, he was forced to come out of retirement and struggled financially. Fortunately, after connecting with someone who referred him to Interfaith, he was able to receive the right job training to put his life back on course. Today, Marlon is doing a lot for himself and his community. He is the founder and owner of his own business, Blue Sky Enterprise (BSE) Security Services. He actively employs veterans and refers them to job training opportunities; all while taking the first steps to establish his own non-profit. Named LOV (Love Our Veterans), Marlon plans on building a veterans home for young and old vets to help one another achieve success.

Candi Milo is one of the busiest actresses in voice-overs today and is honored to have taken the mantle from the legendary late June Foray as the voice of Granny for all of Warner Brothers Animation projects. Milo is a successful actor and Annie Award nominee best known for voicing Dexter in Dexter's Laboratory and The Flea in Mucha Lucha, along with literally thousands of other well-known characters. Her recent memoir, "Surviving the Odd," covers the topical concepts of how we deal with people experiencing homelessness as well as those with mental health problems as seen through the eyes of a child. She learned by watching how the outside world treats people experiencing homelessness vs. Her own experiences of living with people experiencing homelessness while growing up. She is a passionate advocate for people dealing with mental illness and homelessness 

Amy Denhart is the Director of Funders Together to End Homelessness San Diego (FTEHSD) at Catalyst, where she supports FTEHSD's strategic grantmaking and advocacy in systems change and permanent housing opportunities to reduce homelessness.     For the past 22 years, Amy held positions in fundraising, public policy, and community engagement. During more than a decade as Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood, she worked with donors and the Board of Directors to advance public policy in support of reproductive health care. Prior to that, she was Area Director for US Senator Barbara Boxer, serving as the Senator's liaison to the San Diego community, connecting constituents to the Senate and other government bodies. Just prior to joining FTEHSD, Amy worked closely with the City of San Diego and County governments as the lead finance and contract management staff for a local community engagement and design firm. She has served on the City of San Diego's Parks and Recreation committee and is currently a board member on the Regional Task Force on the Homeless. 

At the University of Washington, Gregg enjoys teaching courses in housing, economics, and finance at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He maintains an active research agenda focused on housing policy, housing markets, housing affordability, and homelessness. Gregg is also actively engaged in a wide range of community efforts to address the acute housing crisis 

Anna is a licensed social worker and member of Interfaith's Homeless Outreach team, who works closely with Officer Ferry of the Oceanside Police Department's Homeless Outreach. The H.O.T. works closely with several service providers to help accomplish this goal by connecting these individuals with the various resources that are available to them to assist them in finding permanent housing. 

Dane White sees opportunities for helping one another through challenges and improving our local communities.  He joins us today sharing his very personal journey overcoming homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges.  Dane shares what always got him through the tough times was knowing someone loved him and cared.  Dane can trace his lineage in Escondido back for five generations and is an active business and community member locally.   https://www.danemwhite.com/ 

Isaac came through Interfaith twice, and has now been sober for over 20 months (longest duration in over 20 years). In his own words, “the biggest turning point was deciding to stay sober no matter what was going on, and realizing I did not have to be miserable the rest of life. Seeing my own strength. Taking the first step was hard and then once you hit a stride, nothing stops you. Interfaith is a safe place and everyone treated me like family.” 

Gary Warth, journalist with the San Diego Union Tribune and San Diego resident since the 1970's, brings years of storytelling centering homelessness throughout the region, and a variety of beats since 1989. One of the stories Gary shared in our conversation was his recent coverage of Dr. Gregg Colburn's recent book, Homelessness is a Housing Problem. You can read Gary's July 2022 article about homelessness in San Diego that he references in our conversation: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/homelessness/story/2022-07-11/new-book-links-homelessness-city-prosperity

Mei inspires all of us at Interfaith.  In Mei's own words, she “suffered bouts of homelessness throughout her life and has managed to obtain secure housing and push forward through many years of trauma since childhood. “ In 2020, Mei opened Daydream, a gift shop located on Grand Avenue in Downtown Escondido, and launched a separate line selling her handmade “Humanitote” bags. For every bag sold, Mei donates a Humanitote bag to Interfaith filled with toiletries which are given directly to Humans experiencing homelessness.  As a business owner, and Interfaith partner, Mei furthered her work by collaborating on an ongoing fundraising event called Breakfast & Bags “for a unified effort in helping Interfaith help our houseless neighbors in need,” at Sunny Side Kitchen in Escondido where she launches each new Humanitote Collection at the event. We are grateful to Mei and Sunny Side Kitchen for their support!  Breakfast & Bags are held on the second Saturday of each month from 8am-12pm. Join us in supporting Mei by visiting her store, Daydream in Escondido, and supporting her Humanitote project at https://www.daydreamhere.com/page/humanitote-project.

Monique is resilient. She is a mother of eight, has many years' experience serving as site supervisors for children's centers, and the tables turned when her husband became disabled and the birth of a baby left the family without income. Over 10 years ago, Interfaith helped pay for rent, and steered her toward educational options. Monique shares with us her turbulent journey overcoming homelessness, domestic violence and losing custody of her kids.  Monique is deeply inspiring, resilient and strong and is achieving great goals in supporting families and children overcoming trauma.  “Our past does not define us, our past strengthens us to learn from our different experiences, to help others, it's empowering, and you can do great things in the world.”  Indeed, Monique is doing great things in the world.

Join us in listening to Josh's inspiring personal and professional journey in this podcast and at our upcoming Change Your Mind Mental Health Expo on September 10th. Born and raised in South Africa, Josh's extensive travels include ventures deep into the state of mind called bipolar type 1. Josh combines his lived mental health experience with his education in psychology (BA from the University of South Africa) and theology (MA from Fuller Theological Seminary) to create a synergy between the inner and outer worlds. By combining insights from Western perspectives (science, psychology, and philosophy) with insights from Non-Western perspectives (traditional cultures, spirituality, and mysteries), the goal is to reframe your identity away from self-stigma, towards post-traumatic growth, and the potential gifts of your neurodiverse mind. Josh and his wife run Inspired Mind Mental Health. Josh works with Interfaith and NAMI in supporting those most affected by mental health struggles, including people who are unsheltered.   Join us on September 10th at our Change Your Mind Mental Health Expo so that you can participate in great workshops and presentations by leaders like Josh. interfaithservices.org/change/     Josh is an ongoing speaker at Interfaith's Faith-Based Mental Health Academy. We provide a San Diego County sponsored training on Faith and Mental Health for faith leaders and mental health professionals. Learn what mental illness is, how to support those who are suffering, where they can receive treatment and how faith communities can become a part of their recovery. To learn more about the training and community education programs offered in English and Spanish, visit https://www.interfaithservices.org/program/clinical-behavioral-health/ faithbasedmentalhealth@interfaithservices.org

Lynn Solorzano, Founder and President of Ashley's Hope.  Lynn started this non-profit in memory of her daughter, Ashley.  Ashley was only 25 and homeless.  She passed away after 8 years living on the streets of San Diego.  The mission of Ashley's Hope is to provide people struggling with homeless-related issues dignity, respect and most importantly, hope.  Lynn is providing all Interfaith locations with clean, gently used clothing on a regular basis.

Randy and his wife were living off of social security, in an unsafe housing situation, and on the verge of eviction.  In 2021, Interfaith Community Services connected with them via our Home Safe Program, a homelessness prevention program for Seniors in our community. When asked why Randy chose to be a guest on our podcast, he shared “I was in a situation for a year when I saw no way out.  I did not know about Interfaith, and I just can't believe what they did for us, or that it was even possible.  It was like a miracle. I get up every day giving thanks for it. Interfaith really takes good care of you and makes sure you are doing ok all the time. They don't just say here you are…they make sure you continue to do ok.” This is our last episode for Season 2 and we look forward to you joining us again for Season 3 this Summer.

Joining us for this two-part podcast series, Levi Giafaglione reflects on his journey overcoming homelessness, his experience working in social services agency and exploring land investments.  Levi invites us to consider how each of us can be change makers. If you have not already, tune into the previous podcast for a series you won't want to miss!

Meet Levi Giafaglione. Three years ago he started listening to our podcast and set a goal of one day being a guest and sharing his own experiences and reflections on overcoming homelessness. Levi has now made that goal a reality, and we are proud to be able to share his personal story and the various challenges he faced while living in “survival mode”. Tune in to hear about Levi's struggles with homelessness and stay tuned for the next recording where he will be sharing his amazing success journey. This is a podcast you won't want to miss!

Join us for an invaluable conversation discussing homelessness and giv4, an initiative of the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego and twelve curated local nonprofits confronting homelessness in San Diego.  The goal of giv4 is to learn about homelessness, the affordable housing crisis and different solutions in San Diego County.  Two of the twelve organizations receiving funding from this collective effort are Interfaith Community Services and HEAL, Homeless Experienced Advocacy & Leadership.  Ollie Benn, Director of Philanthropy and Social Impact at Jewish Community Foundation San Diego, joins Greg Anglea and Vanessa Graziano, representatives of two of the organizations in this inspiring conversation you do not want to miss.  Contact Us: interfaithservices.org/contact Interested in supporting Interfaith Community Services: www.interfaithservices.org/donate Learn more about giv4: https://giv4.jcfsandiego.org/  

Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, along with Interfaith colleague Shira Jacobs, welcome you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast. Joining us today is Vanessa. A few years ago, Vanessa lived in her car and lost her three children while she battled addiction. In her own healing process, she started a non-profit program, Oceanside Homeless Resource, now also called "Love on the ground." Listen to Vanessa's powerful story about hope, love, compassion, open hearts and minds. In Vanessa's own words, "Let us walk together and be love on the ground." Contact Us: interfaithservices.org/contact Learn more about HEAL, Homeless-Experienced Advocacy & Leadership Network: housingsandiego.org/heal-network