It all began with a desire to open a resource center for the homeless in Santa Monica, California.
We wondered what might be the best location and decided, "Why not ask the homeless on the
street what they think?" So we did.
Day after day we hit the streets. Through surveys and 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 homeless people reconnect with their families to the point that they
were able to go home. Several more homeless went into housing or treatment facilities.
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 program was formed that's hands-on and practical. Since October of 2006, more
than 900 homeless have been helped to transition off the streets of Santa Monica with care and
compassion.
We wondered what might be the best location and decided, "Why not ask the homeless on the
street what they think?" So we did.
Day after day we hit the streets. Through surveys and 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 homeless people reconnect with their families to the point that they
were able to go home. Several more homeless went into housing or treatment facilities.
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 program was formed that's hands-on and practical. Since October of 2006, more
than 900 homeless have been helped to transition off the streets of Santa Monica with care and
compassion.
Heart for the Homeless
Ron Hooks
Homeless Advocate
Founder
Executive Director
Homeless Advocate
Founder
Executive Director
