On the Frontlines: Interfaith's COVID-19 Response Efforts

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

Interfaith Community Services CEO Greg Anglea, along with our frontline staff, speak about our COVID-19 response efforts. This virtual behind-the-scenes tour of Interfaith’s program leaders at multiple Interfaith locations brings you “on the frontlines!”

Watch the video recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh7oRt6l7mU

Emergency Fund Ad Break:

Over the past few months, I have been inspired by the strength and commitment of our Interfaith staff and volunteers.  Interfaith Community Services is helping individuals and families who never thought they would need us. We have seen the numbers of people helped more than quadruple. 

With the passage of the CARES ACT, we have received many questions about how the new law impacts personal income, financial management, retirement accounts, wills, trusts, real estate and charitable giving.  

As you navigate this challenging time and  protect the people and causes you care about, please consider supporting interfaith continue to help the thousands of people in need every week.

For more information on the CARES ACT Please contact Robert Adams at (760) 803-9615 or radams@interfaithservices.org 

Thank you for being part of those special people that care about Interfaith Community Services!

Ways to Give:

Emergency Fund

With the need for rental assistance and basic essentials like food at an all-time high, monetary donations allow us to help families as quickly as possible. Please visit our donation page at www.interfaithservices.org/donate and select “Emergency Fund” in the menu.

Purchase for a Purpose

Interfaith has created an Amazon Wishlist to make donating easy. Now, supporters like you can ensure our food pantry has the supplies necessary to feed the thousands of people seeking assistance each week during this crisis.

Volunteer Opportunities

Interfaith has volunteer opportunities available for you, both on-site and from the comfort of your home, including face mask making, sack lunch building, and much more!

Email: getinvolved@interfaithservices.org

Poverty: How to End Homelessness

Iain de Jong at the recording studio

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

Here to talk about his expertise on homelessness is Iain de Jong. Iain is the President and CEO of ORGCODE and the author of “The Book on Ending Homelessness.”

Emergency Fund Ad Break:

At Interfaith Community Services, we pride ourselves on connecting people back with their community. Omar and Janey know that the key to accomplishing that at a regional level is through research-based solutions.

 A strong database network, not only allows us to properly track the success of our programs, but also the long term success of our people.

So, we are revamping our database! Unfortunately, this endeavor will near $115,000. And so far, we’ve raised $80,000. Yet, thanks to Funders Together to End Homelessness, we have a $25,000 matching grant opportunity for this endeavor. That means every dollar you give will be matched 100% down to the penny. If we can reach that goal, our project will be nearly fully funded.

With your support, we can help thousands of people successfully reconnect with their community. To donate, please visit our website www.interfaithservices.org/donate and select “Matching Opportunity” in the drop-down menu. Thank you.

Iain’s Transformative Thought:

• There’s hope in the future of San Diego’s social service personnel. The commitment of community leaders, such as the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, is a great contribution to us all.

Housing: Stay Healthy, Stay Alive

Michael Tatum on webinar from Stella Residence

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

In this episode, we will be talking to Michael Tatum. Michael is a formerly homeless individual and now a resident of the new Stella Housing Development in Mission Valley. He is one of the 62 clients receiving case management from Interfaith at the development.

Emergency Fund Ad Break:

Interfaith Community Services is here for people in their time of need, and now more than ever, our services are critical. Governor Newsom’s state-wide “stay at home” order identified Interfaith as an essential service; our services, staff, and volunteers are indispensable at a time like this.

We need your help now more than ever. With personnel and resources stretched thin, we need donations and volunteers to continue our important work. Help Interfaith continue to lift up our neighbors in need and address the unique health challenges COVID-19 creates for the poorest of our community.

For a limited time, our friends at The David T. & Dorris E. Staples Foundation will match all donations up to $40,000. This doubles the impact of your contribution. Please note “Staples Match” on your contribution. To donate visit interfaithservices.org/donate and select “Emergency Fund” in the drop-down menu.

We will remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable among us during these times and are doing everything to be sure we can. Thank you for the outpouring of support, ensuring our doors remain open to those most in need.

Michael’s Transformative Thought:

“Stay healthy, stay alive, and may God be with all of us.”

COVID-19: On the Frontlines

Abigail Celestino at our 550 W. Washington Location

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

In this special episode, Abigail Celestino, Interfaith Case Manager, and Eren Hernandez, Program Manager of Emergency Services, join Greg Anglea to talk about Interfaith’s response to COVID-19. We see the stories on the news, but what do the people on frontlines have to say?

Tune-in and find out!

Emergency Fund Ad Break:

Interfaith Community Services is here for people in their time of need, and now more than ever, our services are critical. Governor Newsom’s state-wide “stay at home” order identified Interfaith as an essential service; our services, staff, and volunteers are indispensable at a time like this.

We need your help now more than ever. With personnel and resources stretched thin, we need donations and volunteers to continue our important work. Help Interfaith continue to lift up our neighbors in need and address the unique health challenges COVID-19 creates for the poorest of our community.

For a limited time, our friends at The David T. & Dorris E. Staples Foundation will match all donations up to $40,000. This doubles the impact of your contribution. Please note “Staples Match” on your contribution. To donate visit interfaithservices.org/donate and select “Emergency Fund” in the drop-down menu.

We will remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable among us during these times and are doing everything to be sure we can. Thank you for the outpouring of support, ensuring our doors remain open to those most in need.

Eren’s Transformative Thought:

Interfaith’s Work is Valuable: The “Helping People Help Themsleves” model works. So, if you are thinking of becoming a donor or volunteer, you should know that you are in good hands.

Abigail’s Transformative Thought:

It’s Never Too Late to Help: Interfaith is ready and willing to support the community.

Bring donations to 550 W. Washington Ave. Escondido, CA. Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Housing: It Happened Slow, But All at Once

Greg Anglea and Anthony White Podcasting on Zoom

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

This season we are diving into four topics: Housing, Recovery, Poverty, and Mental Health.

Here to talk about their expertise with Housing is Anthony White. Anthony is a veteran who experienced homelessness after serving our country. Now, Anthony serves a different purpose. With a new found passion in Homeless Advocacy at the local and state level, he is a proud member of the San Diego Homeless-Experienced Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) Network.

Emergency Fund Ad Break:

Interfaith Community Services is here for people in their time of need, and now more than ever, our services are critical. Last week, Governor Newsom issued a state-wide “stay at home” order for all Californians. Essential services and people who provide them are exempt from this order. Interfaith is identified as essential; our services, staff, and volunteers are indispensable and exempt from the executive order.

Interfaith will prove to be an essential leader in addressing the economic fallout caused by COVID-19 in the coming weeks and months. For now, though, we are in crisis response mode. We need your help now more than ever. With personnel and resources stretched thin, we need donations and volunteers to continue our important work.

Interfaith has created an Emergency Fund in response to COVID-19 with all donations matched up to $50,000. To donate visit interfaithservices.org/donate and select “Emergency Fund” in the drop-down menu.

We will remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable among us during these times and are doing everything to be sure we can. Thank you for the outpouring of support, ensuring our doors remain open to those most in need.

Anthony’s Transformative Thought:

Your Voice Matters: In order to make change happen on Homelessness, we need to hear from people who have experienced it. Contact your representatives and make your voice heard today.

Anthony’s New York Times Article:

Visit the New York Times Article: In College and Homeless

Poverty: Can Homelessness be Predicted?

Janey Rountree, Greg Anglea, and Omar Passons

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

This season we are diving into four topics: Housing, Recovery, Poverty, and Mental Health.

Here to talk about their expertise with Poverty is Omar Passons and Janey Rountree. Omar is the Director of Integrative Services for the County of San Diego and Janey is the founding Executive Director of the California Policy Lab at UCLA.

Together, they are using research-based solutions to address economic inclusion and poverty in San Diego. Janey’s research is developing groundbreaking algorithms to determine the likelihood of someone becoming homeless, thereby attempting to answer one of the most important questions about prevention:

Can homelessness be predicted?

Database Ad Break:

At Interfaith Community Services, we pride ourselves on connecting people back with their community. Omar and Janey know that the key to accomplishing that at a regional level is through research-based solutions.

 A strong database network, not only allows us to properly track the success of our programs, but also the long term success of our people.

So, we are revamping our database! Unfortunately, this endeavor will near $115,000. And so far, we’ve raised $80,000. Yet, thanks to Funders Together to End Homelessness, we have a $25,000 matching grant opportunity for this endeavor. That means every dollar you give will be matched 100% down to the penny. If we can reach that goal, our project will be nearly fully funded.

With your support, we can help thousands of people successfully reconnect with their community. To donate, please visit our website www.interfaithservices.org/donate and select “Matching Opportunity” in the drop-down menu. Thank you.

Janey’s Call to Action:

Invest in Prevention - We need more rigorous evidence to address structural poverty. To learn more about the UCLA’s Policy Lab visit: www.capolicylab.org.

Omar’s Call to Action:

Help People with Prevention - This research is an opportunity for elected officials and community leaders to reframe their approach to prevention solutions.

Event: Tiny Homes Big Solutions

Ellen Stone, Greg Anglea, and Renee McLaughlin

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

This season we are diving into: Housing, Recovery, Poverty, and Mental Health.

Here to talk about their expertise with (tiny) Housing is Ellen Stone and Renee McLaughlin.

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, Feb 29, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM & Sun, Mar 1, 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.

Ellen’s Call to Action:

Visit San Diego’s Chapter of the American Tiny Homes Association and join the Tiny House Enthusiasts Meetup Group. For more information: Americantinyhouseassociation.org

Renee’s Call to Action:

Andrew Heben: One of the creators of the SquareOne Tiny Home Village, wrote a book about this housing option. Tent City Urbanism: From Self-organized Camps to Tiny House Villages.

Community First! Village: One of the largest examples of Tiny Home Villages for formerly homeless individuals. For more information visit: Mlf.org/community-first

Housing: Affirming Our Mission

Dana Derderian-Ibarra, Greg Anglea, and Heather Pollock-Averick.

Host Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, welcomes you to the Homeless in San Diego Podcast — Season Two: “Homebound.”

This season we will cover: Housing, Recovery, Poverty, and Mental Health.

Here to talk about their expertise with Housing is Dana Derderian-Ibarra and Heather Pollock-Averick.

Dana is Interfaith’s Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance and Heather is Affirmed Housing’s Director of Supportive Housing Services.

Dana and Heather collaborated on the new partnership between Interfaith and Affirmed Housing. The Stella Housing Development in Mission Valley is now home to 62 formerly homeless individuals with help from Interfaith’s Case Managers. Work well done.

Dana and Heather’s Way to Give:

Support Affirmed Housing: Developers like Affirmed Housing help the community in many ways. Make sure to educate yourself and advocate for future projects. Learn more about how you can help by visiting: www.affirmedhousing.com/

Housing: SOAR to Success

Greg Anglea, Kate Jones, and Gregory Moore

Welcome to Homeless in San Diego! 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.

Here to talk about his experience with Housing is Gregory Moore. Greg is a formerly homeless client, son of a peanut farmer, and the very first success story from our “SOAR” program. Joining him to give us some perspective on SOAR is, Interfaith SOAR Case Manager, Kate Jones.

Special Announcement:

At Interfaith Community Services, we pride ourselves on bringing people together. People like Greg and Kate help make Interfaith a more connected community by working together.

So how do we ensure that’s possible? To keep our community connected, we need a database network we are sticking together. Unfortunately, without a strong database, we cannot properly track the success of the programs we run and the people we help.

Yet, thanks to Funders Together to End Homelessness, we have a $25,000 matching grant opportunity for this endeavor. That means every dollar you give will be matched 100% down to the cent. The total cost of revamping our database will near $115,000. And so far, we’ve raised $60,000. If we can reach that goal, our project will be nearly fully funded.

With your support, we can help thousands more successfully reconnect with their community.

To donate please visit our website interfaithservices.org/donate and select “Matching Opportunity” in the drop-down menu.

Congressional Testimony:

Interfaith testified in front of Congress on behalf of our Veterans. #EveryVeteran deserves a chance to receive the benefits they are entitled. View our Congressional Testimony.

Kate’s Call for Change:

On average, S.S.I. is $1,000 per month, while a one-bedroom apartment in San Diego is $1,600. Help support the expansion of HUD’s Permanent Supportive Housing to account for this.

Reach out to your local representatives to voice your support.

“With stable housing and stable income, recovery is not only possible, it’s probable.”

Greg’s Call for Change:

Regulate rent prices.

“I’ve talked to people who’ve said ‘I got kicked out because I couldn’t afford my rent.’ That right there should be fixed. ”

Housing: New Beginnings

Tom Jensen and Greg Anglea

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.

Special Announcement:

Interfaith Community Services pledged to end and prevent homelessness for 2,019 men, women, and children, by the end of 2019. By mid-December, we had made good on that promise and housed a grand total of 2,022 people throughout San Diego. Every day, individuals like Tom enter Interfaith’s doors seeking help. It is only through the support of people like you, that Interfaith continues to be there.

To donate or volunteer visit our website at interfaithservices.org.

To volunteer for the Point in Time Count visit: interfaithservices.org/volunteer/

Tom’s Transformative Thought:

“To become a Zen Master, you have to possess three things: The clothes on your back, food to eat, and shelter.”