Homeless In San Diego

On this edition of Homeless in San Diego, we're honored to welcome Brother Batie, Social Services Program Director at the YMCA of San Diego County. He shares powerful insights from his work in the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) homelessness sector, as well as his own lived experience with homelessness as a North County native. Recently recognized as Program Staff Member of the Year by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, Brother Batie brings both expertise and heart to his work.   Links: https://www.instagram.com/brother.batie/  https://www.instagram.com/ymcasandiego/  https://www.ymcasd.org/community-support/ymca-youth-and-family-services/ 

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%20Lis

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.sandieg

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. Whilst 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

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

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.

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