It all began with a desire to open a resource center for the homeless in Santa Monica.
We wondered what might be the best location and decided, "Why not ask the homeless what
they think?" So we did.
Day after day we hit the streets. Through field interviews, we began establishing relationships with the
homeless and tried to help them any way that we could. Unexpectedly, they began to say that the kind of help
we were offering was really making the difference. After only a few weeks, we had helped several people
who had been on the streets for years reconnect with their families to the point that they were able to go
home. Several more went into housing or treatment centers.
In the process, we developed a program that brought a wide variety of helps and resources to the
homeless that fostered change. In reality, it wasn't about the location of a building, but making a connection
with the homeless where they live everyday. One homeless guy said, "Hey man, this is as real as it gets. You
are taking it to the street!"
A new outreach/intervention program was formed that's compassionate, practical and
effective.
We wondered what might be the best location and decided, "Why not ask the homeless what
they think?" So we did.
Day after day we hit the streets. Through field interviews, we began establishing relationships with the
homeless and tried to help them any way that we could. Unexpectedly, they began to say that the kind of help
we were offering was really making the difference. After only a few weeks, we had helped several people
who had been on the streets for years reconnect with their families to the point that they were able to go
home. Several more went into housing or treatment centers.
In the process, we developed a program that brought a wide variety of helps and resources to the
homeless that fostered change. In reality, it wasn't about the location of a building, but making a connection
with the homeless where they live everyday. One homeless guy said, "Hey man, this is as real as it gets. You
are taking it to the street!"
A new outreach/intervention program was formed that's compassionate, practical and
effective.
Heart for the Homeless
| Ron Hooks Homeless Advocate Founder Executive Director |
 | |  | |  | |  |
_______________________________________________
