Homeless In San Diego

Homeless in San Diego is back! Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to Season Two: “Homebound.” This season we will cover: Housing, Recovery, Poverty, and Mental Health. All in an effort to give people a pathway home. Here to talk about his experience with Housing is Tom Jensen. Tom is a formerly homeless client, returning guest to the podcast, and overall friend of Interfaith.

On the season finale episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Marlon Blue. 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.

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Carl Falconer and David Gruber. Carl is the President and CEO of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance and David is their Development and Communications Director. In our first ever phone call podcast, calling from miles and miles away, the good people at MDHA discuss some of the work our organizations have in common. David, podcast aficionado, found out about our work through this very podcast. Wanting to speak about the homelessness crisis, David understands that this issue isn’t unique to any one city. From permanent supportive housing to street outreach, the services we both provide and the coalitions we seek to form, perhaps speak to something deeper: a shared commitment to helping our fellow neighbor…. Even if that neighbor is miles and miles away! 

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Coleen Cusack. At her previous job, Coleen saw firsthand the legal obstacles endured by people experiencing homelessness. Today, she is a Criminal Defense Attorney who focuses on helping our homeless populations through the injustices they face. As Coleen became actively aware of the laws around homelessness, she developed a unique perspective on the repercussions of these practices. Coleen believes that many of the policies in place do not take the right measures when it comes to helping the situation. So in an effort to legally affect change, she defends persons who are being charged in infractions court for unjust ordinances. Coleen is an example of someone who is fighting for social justice and equality in our community by setting precedents for large-scale legal change.  

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Dennis Larkin. Dennis is a resident of Talmadge Gateway Apartments, an affordable housing development for seniors who have struggled with homelessness. From the partnership between Wakeland Housing & Development and St. Paul’s Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly, 60 residents are able to have a safe place to live independently. Dennis has lived a long and eventful life. From helping flood victims in Thailand to becoming the founder of a successful drug and alcohol program, he truly has a lively spirit. Yet after his wife passed, he fell into a self-destructive lifestyle. He developed an alcohol problem and lost all financial stability. Things worsened so much that it led to him living out of his car and developing health problems. Fortunately, through Dennis’ own strength and the help of organizations such as Wakeland, he managed to secure a place at Talmadge as

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Dana and Jo. Dana is the founder and CEO of Leap to Success, an organization that works with women who are rebuilding their lives. Leap to Success connected with Jo at one of the lowest points in her life and supported her as she turned everything around. Jo fell under hard times during the market crash. Having had an established job as a Finance Analyst with the Boeing Company, she was unfortunately caught in a series of tragic family events during the market crash and lost everything. In an incredible story of overcoming adversity, Jo’s struggle shows us that homelessness can affect anyone if they are hit with the wrong set of circumstances.

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Robert and Judy. Here to share their story of overcoming alcoholism, they actually have a special connection to our organization. Now happily married and successful business owners, once upon a time they first met at Interfaith! Robert and Judy would have never imagined they would be in the position they are today. Years ago, Robert was suffering from alcoholism, caught up in the musician’s lifestyle, while Judy was a recent divorcee drinking away the pain of a failing marriage. After alcoholism severely crippled their life, they found a sense of peace and safety at Interfaith. They entered our addiction recovery services and graduated the programs; ensuring their path to regaining their lives. Now, fully sober and continuing their business ventures, they are enjoying life and awaiting Robert’s new position as a member on Interfaith’s board of directors. Glad to have you Robe

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Bill and returning guest, Lauren Pollick. This time around, Lauren, Shelters Program Manager at Interfaith, invites Bill to talk about his experience with our organization. Having endured a struggle that is familiar to many who have experienced homelessness, Bill’s story of addiction is a lesson to learn from. According to Bill, the grip that addiction has on you is a torturous one. Alcohol not only crippled his self-esteem, but also quite literally crippled his body. Bound to a walker and unable to take a step, it took the intervention of Interfaith’s Case Manager, Holly, to keep him alive. Fortunately, Bill was treated at a rehabilitation center just in time, but the true core of this story came right after. As he walked out of the hospital and willingly made his way back to Interfaith, he symbolically took the first and most important steps on the path to recovery: his own

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Dr. Patel, CEO of Neighborhood Healthcare. Going on 50 years, Neighborhood Healthcare provides medical, dental, and behavioral services to low-income patients. Having completed missions around the world, Dr. Patel returned with a desire to provide medical care in the U.S. for those that need it the most. Early on, he served as a staff family physician at Neighborhood Healthcare. Having realized his desire to help beyond a one on one basis, Dr. Patel worked his way up to CEO of the organization and quickly focused on integrating social services with existing medical services. Now partnering with Interfaith Community Services to just that, the two community leaders discuss their shared mission, partnership, and passion.

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Abrea Ponce and podcast alumnus David Baker. David and Abrea have dedicated their lives to helping homeless youth out of the difficulties they experienced first hand. Having come from a variety of hardships, from being kicked out of her home at a young age, to entering the prison system right after, Abrea is now a Project Specialist at the Regional Task Force on the Homeless in San Diego. These experiences have redefined her perspective on many things and ultimately gave her new sense of purpose in helping homeless youth. It’s people like Abrea and David who show us that growth is truly possible and that the work being done to prevent these issues are in good hands.

On this special episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Rabbi David Castiglione. Rabbi Castiglione is a board member of Interfaith and Rabbi of Temple Adat Shalom, where Interfaith first started 40 years ago. Here to shed light on the recent events in Chabad of Poway, Rabbi Castiglione and Greg hope to bring an alternative message against the negativity around these tragic events. During the events at Chabad of Poway, Rabbi Castiglione and Greg were only a few blocks away attending morning services at Adat Shalom. When word came in of the shooting, the meeting they were having about Interfaith’s work was interrupted and the discussion about the importance of looking after your fellow neighbor was stopped. Everyone was told that it was best to side with safety and leave, but in that moment something rang in the hearts of the attended. In what Rabbi Castiglione could only call, “an affirmation of religion,” instead of leavin

  On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Analaura. Analaura is a writer who shares her own experiences, perspectives, and struggles with homelessness. Taking special note of the trauma homelessness causes, she reflects on the journey the last half of her life has taken her through. Whether it was growing up in a car with her entire family or trying to find housing with Interfaith, Analaura’s personal story is a truly touching account of overcoming both personal and circumstantial battles. Visit www.homelessinsandiego.org to see this episode's "Calls to Action."

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Sarah Gomez. Sarah is a Marine Corps veteran, mother of two, and graduate student at Cal State San Marcos. Today she is also an Instructional Technician and Academic Coach at the university. Greg and Sarah discuss her journey from a successful homeowner to losing everything and becoming homeless with her two children and nowhere to go after her husband was sentenced to jail. Listen to learn how Sarah’s resilience and grit, and her commitment to her children led her to where she is today.

On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), Kim Mitchell, and army veteran Rod Gabriel. “Every veteran has raised their right hand, has committed an oath to serve and do something beyond themselves; yet, veterans are disproportionately represented among people experiencing homelessness,” says Greg. Army veteran, Rod, shares his inspirational story about the homelessness he experienced after serving in the military. His journey includes imprisonment, addiction, and homelessness, until he found VVSD, which helped him on his road to recovery and finding his path as a successful entrepreneur. Visit www.homelessinsandiego.org to see this episodes "Calls to Action"

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Michael Williams, a published author and formerly homeless Marine Corps veteran, back to the show. The two discuss Michael's experiences, from losing the successful life he once had and experiencing homelessness, to finding a place to call home and regaining his independence. Once a person experiencing homelessness is able to rent an apartment and begin a new chapter of life, the process is a one-step-at-a-time journey. To learn more about Michael's journey and his spiritual perspective of homelessness, visit our podcast website at homelessnessinsandiego.org

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes Michael Williams, a published author and formerly homeless Marine Corps veteran. The two discuss what life was like for Michael before he ended up on the streets - a successful man, who not only was a consultant in the performing arts industry for 10 years, but also has a degree in economics and served his country as a Marine Corp Infantry Officer. But then he got sick. He had to sell his home, goods, and eventually his car just to get by, until he was able to receive help at Interfaith.

On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services is joined by Gary Warth of the San Diego Union Tribune. Warth shares his unique perspective about the stories and issues surrounding homelessness. The purpose of their discussion was to share insight into the realities some people face while experiencing homelessness as well as help listeners be more educated and informed about what’s taking place in our communities. One of Warth’s goals as a journalist investigating a story is to understand what homeless people need rather than allowing committee members to make decisions for them. For example, he spoke with a woman in her mid-60s. She has a five page resume and wants to work, but fears not being able to find a job because she cannot access a shower and does not have clean clothes. Another man said he waits in line at 4am to use a public shower with a hundred other people and only half in line may get to use it. Warth also gave insigh

On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Executive Director Krysta Esquivel and David Baker of YMCA Youth & Family Services (YFS). David shares his personal journey, coming from “a background of dysfunction,” and experiencing homelessness at a young age. “I would say I never really had a home,” said David, until he found YMCA YFS. Krysta discusses the goals of the organization around social responsibility and helping vulnerable youth and families. David is a living example of how the cycle can be broken; not only is he no longer homeless, but he is now an employee at YMCA YFS, helping those who are in the shoes he once was; and he wants all youth experiencing homelessness to know: you are not a lost cause.

On this episode of ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Tracy, a Navy Veteran and graduate of Interfaith’s Recuperative Care Program located at our Hawthorne Veteran and Family Resource Center. Tracy also introduces Max, his loyal companion and the first service dog to live at the Recuperative Care center (and to come on the podcast!), as well as his son, Caleb, who is inspired by and proud of his dad’s journey.  When Tracy first came to Interfaith, he was living in his car and struggling to treat his PTSD and schizophrenia. When he was offered a way out of homelessness through Recuperative Care, Tracy was skeptical of accepting the help. Tracy shares how grateful he is that he did and how Interfaith truly turned his life around.