City Outreach Diary

Everyone’s experiences are deeply diverse and uniquely their own. Our primary goal is to build trust with people by truly listening to their stories and responding to their needs with care and understanding.

A big part of our work involves maintaining close relationships with individuals living outside in Santa Cruz. By following up on conversations we’ve had during previous visits, we show that we care and are invested in their journey. When we go out, we bring water and snacks to ease immediate anxieties and meet basic needs. We also offer practical support like laundry vouchers, basic first aid supplies, Narcan, and other outreach tools that can make a meaningful difference in their day-to-day lives.

For those without phones, we lend ours to help them reconnect with family, schedule important appointments, or address other pressing needs. We also guide people toward healthcare, mental health resources, general government assistance, and financial support. For anyone battling addiction, we offer referrals to drug and alcohol treatment programs, including rehab and detox, always meeting them where they are with compassion and without judgment.

When someone’s health or safety is in jeopardy, we frequently engage Emergency Medical Services (EMS). We work hand in hand with community partners to connect individuals to services they qualify for and can benefit from. Our collaborations are far-reaching—including organizations like Housing Matters, County Mental Health, Downtown Outreach Workers, Downtown Streets Team, Homeless Person’s Health Project, Encompass, Abode, Janus, and the Homeless Garden Project—to ensure that each person receives the most appropriate and effective support.

Many individuals we work with have encountered several of these organizations before. Our role is to help them navigate this network of support, assessing their specific needs and guiding them toward solutions that can truly make a difference in their lives.

One of the most transformative aspects of our work is helping individuals secure a place at the City Overlook at the Armory or 1220 TCC. These shelters offer more than just a roof over their heads; they provide case management, a safe environment, and a stabilizing foundation that can change everything. For many, it’s the first step toward more permanent and stable housing.

I want to share a recent success story about one of our clients, Loren (they/them). Please note that names have been changed to protect privacy.

The City Outreach team has known Loren for years and always had a positive relationship with them. During recent winter storms, Loren went missing, and our concern for their safety grew with each passing day. We asked about them at every encampment we visited and spoke to every caseworker we encountered. While people had seen Loren, we always seemed to be one step behind. Many reported that Loren wasn’t doing well.

After almost three weeks, we finally found Loren on the levee. They hadn’t eaten or had anything to drink for three days and were visibly dehydrated and in poor health. It was pouring rain, and despite our concerns, Loren was unwilling to leave the levee. We spent two hours listening to their experiences and discussing their needs. Together, we devised a plan to get them warm, dry clothes, blankets (thanks to generous community donations), food, water, and medical and mental health support.

Fast forward: After persistent effort and patience, we helped Loren enroll in a shelter program and connect with case management. With six months of support and stability in a shelter, Loren’s life took a positive turn. They have now been in stable housing for seven months, working closely with a team of professionals to maintain their progress.

Loren’s story is a testament to how challenging yet rewarding it can be to help someone transition from living on the streets to finding stable housing. Their journey highlights the complexity of this work but also its profound impact. Each story like Loren’s reminds us why we do what we do—for the moments of triumph that make every challenge worthwhile.