Let's Be Honest

Ryan poses with his foster dog in his first apartment.

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes his colleague Lauren Pollick, Shelter Program Manager at Interfaith Community Services, to discuss the agency's housing and shelter programs, why she got into non-profit work, and she introduces one of her former clients, Ryan.

Ryan shares his experiences with both homelessness and addiction with Greg & Lauren, and details how today, he is living in an apartment for which he signed his first lease.

Calls to Action:

• Volunteer serving meals for our Haven House Year-Round Shelter residents.
• Be compassionate & kind - everyone has a story.
• Hire Ryan! For serious inquiries, give us a call at 760-618-6811.

It's Not Illegal To Be Homeless

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes back co-host Anne Rios, Executive Director and Managing Attorney of Think Dignity, as well as Gary Warth, writer for the San Diego Union Tribune, to discuss the criminalization of homelessness. Anne, Gary, and Greg share their experiences advocating for individuals who have received fines and legal penalties for being homeless, and compel listeners to get involved in order to help their homeless neighbors.

Calls to Action

• Be aware of the many challenges homeless individuals may encounter, like the safe sanctioned parking lots that make it legal for someone to sleep in their car.
• Get informed with public policies. Encourage elected officials to take action and be innovative.
• Outreach in tandem with organizations that connect with and advocate for homeless individuals like Alpha Project, Interfaith Community Services, and Father Joe's.
• Check out Gary Warth's latest article of the criminalization of homelessness for the San Diego Union Tribune.
• Be kind.

Trying to Survive

From left to right: Anne Rios, Executive Director and Managing Attorney at Think Dignity; episode guest, David; and Greg Anglea, CEO at Interfaith Community Services

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Anne Rios, Executive Director and Managing Attorney of Think Dignity, a grassroots agency working hands-on with homeless individuals, developing creative solutions to meet their needs appropriately. Founded twelve years ago, Think Dignity operates a variety of programs including a storage center,  mobile showers, a street boutique for women, legal clinics, pop-up cafes and farmer's markets, and more.

Anne and Greg are then joined by David, who brings a unique perspective to the episode - given that he is still living on the streets. Having once received services from Think Dignity, David now works for the agency, operating the truck and trailers for all mobile programs. David details his struggle with homelessness, including his ongoing journey to find a home.

Calls to Action:

• Support organizations like Think Dignity, Interfaith Community Services, and South Bay Community Services by volunteering or giving a monetary donation. These donations can go towards rental assistance, purchasing household items to furnish formerly individuals' homes, and more.
• Find out about different ordinances that are criminalizing homeless individuals by visiting Think Dignity's website and if you are compelled, talk with your County Board of Supervisors and Police Chief about what the plan to do about homelessness in a humane and dignified way.

A Commitment to Help

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Peter Seidler, Managing Partner of the San Diego Padres. Peter discusses his background in both business and Major League Baseball, as well as how his experience overcoming cancer cultivated a passion for helping our homeless neighbors. Walking the streets of Downtown San Diego during his recovery led Peter to many conversations with those living on our sidewalks, and he shares with Greg how he decided to get involved with his business colleagues to work towards ending homelessness. 

Calls to Action:

• Volunteer with organizations striving to end homelessness. Organizations such as Interfaith Community Services need daily assistance serving food to our homeless neighbors. You call also call 2-1-1 for more information and volunteer opportunities with like-minded agencies.
• Give a monetary donation to organizations helping our homeless neighbors. The Monarch School, a school for children experiencing homelessness, is one of Peter's favorites to support.
• Connect with people. Smile at them. Look them in the eyes and say hello. Sometimes a human, personal connection can be the brightest moment in one of our homeless neighbor's day.

Making It Happen

From left to right: Formerly homeless Oceanside resident Jerry; Josh Ferry with Oceanside HOT; guest host Fiona King with Interfaith Community Services

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' we welcome guest host Fiona King, Communications and Development Manager at Interfaith Community Services to the studio. Fiona is joined by Josh Ferry of the Oceanside Police Department Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) to discuss the role his team is playing to help end homelessness in Coastal North County. A non-enforcement unit, Oceanside HOT serves to build rapport with homeless clients and connect those in need to social service agencies.

Earlier this year, Josh met Jerry - who at the time had been living for the streets for 11 years. Jerry shares his struggles with homelessness, as well as how Josh and Oceanside HOT helped get him off the street and into an apartment of his own.

Call to Action:

• Learn more about what your community is doing to end homelessness. Does your local police department have a homeless outreach team? What can you do to support them? Do your research and see how you can help your neighborhood HOT unit help end homelessness.

A Sense of Belonging

Bill, Interfaith Head Chef (left) joins Greg Anglea, Interfaith CEO (right) at the Voice of San Diego recording studio.

On this episode of 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories," host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Bill Lewis, Head Chef at Interfaith. Bill walks Greg through his personal story of addiction and homelessness, and details how he was able to get clean, find a home, and eventually begin a journey of giving back by cooking for the clients of various Interfaith programs.

Calls to Action:

• Understand the importance of detox programs and advocating for more opportunities for people to get sober across San Diego County.
• Join our team! Interfaith is currently hiring Licensed Vocational Nurses for our Recuperative Care Program. Learn more by clicking here. 
• Support Interfaith's Recovery and Wellness Center. Recovery programs allow the problem of homelessness to start fixing itself but we need funding to keep the program going. Click here to make a difference today.

Holding on to Hope

On this episode of the podcast 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by Joni Halpern, an administrative lawyer who works to help low-income individuals and families get access to benefits and overcome barriers to housing.

Greg and Joni are then joined by Lydia, a former client of Joni's who used to work with homeless families, before becoming sick, losing her job, and losing her home herself.

Calls to Action:

• Consider hiring homeless and/or formerly homeless community members. Without a job, thriving in a new home can be nearly impossible for many of our neighbors in need. 
• Challenge the way you think about people in need. Get involved by learning more about your community's needs, give your time, or consider giving a monetary donation.

Prescription for a Home

From left to right: City of Oceanside Director of Neighborhood Services, Margery Pierce; former client, Marshall; Interfaith CEO and podcast host. Greg Anglea

On this episode of the podcast ‘Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,’ host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by City of Oceanside Director of Neighborhood Services, Margery Pierce, to give listeners an understanding of the several community partners involved in helping individuals and families overcome homelessness.  

Greg and Margery are then joined by Oceanside resident Marshall, who shares his journey from a normal life as a commercial pilot - who owned his own home, two cars and two boats - to a life on the streets for nearly 10 years, to finally overcoming addiction and homelessness.

Calls to Action:

• Treat people normally, connect with them, and let them know that there are solutions that work.
• Support those organizations helping people like Marshall find a solution to homelessness:
  • Brother Benno
  • McAlister Institute
  • Interfaith Community Services
• Call our hotline at 760-618-6811 to share your experience or ask questions that you'd like us to address in a future episode.

Finding a Forever Home

Duane, Danielle, and their 10-week old baby stop by Interfaith's Escondido headquarters

On this episode of the podcast 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by his colleague Richard Biddle, Rapid-Rehousing Specialist at Interfaith Community Services, to give listeners an in-depth look at what the term "rapid-rehousing" means, what it takes to move families off of the streets, and how his role as a social worker plays into the process.

Greg and Richard are then joined by Interfaith Community Services' rapid-rehousing program participants Duane and Danielle (along with their 10-week old baby!), who share how they found themselves camping in El Cajon with their four, soon to be five, children for nearly 8 months until they were able to move into a home of their own.

Calls to Action: 

• Donate household items to Interfaith Community Services' "Make it a Home" program. Items needed include, but are not excluded to: new bedding & bath towels, kitchen items, new or lightly used furniture, bathroom & hygiene supplies, and more. To learn more and schedule your donation, please click here.
• Landlords, property managers, and property owners with units available for lease, please consider renting your apartment to a homeless family in need of a place to call home. By working with organizations such as Interfaith to house homeless families (often for additional financial incentives like double security deposits), you can make a difference in our communities today. Click here to learn more.

From Street to Shelter

Former Interfaith shelter participant Brian poses in front of his new home.

On this first episode of the podcast 'Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories,' host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, is joined by his colleague Victor Hernandez, Associate Director of Rapid-Rehousing and Shelters at Interfaith Community Services, to give listeners an overview of the realities of homelessness, what a typical shelter program looks like, and what other types of help may be available to individuals living in a homeless shelter.

Greg and Victor are then joined by former Interfaith Community Services' shelter program participant Brian, who shares what his experience living in a homeless shelter was like and how he, along with his cat Nala, found their way into a home of their own.

Call to Action:

• Find a local organization that is helping to end homelessness & get involved, including:

  • Interfaith Community Services

  • Father Joe's Villages

  • Alpha Project

  • Community Resource Center

  • South Bay Community Services

  • McAlister Institute