Making a Positive Difference
I am pleased to recommend Ron Hooks and West Coast Care. Since arriving in Santa
Monica, Ron has employed a unique hands-on, street-savvy approach to providing services
to the homeless in our community. Ron and his dedicated staff work collaboratively with the
City's Human Services team, our Police and Fire Departments and our highly regarded non-profit social
service network. Ron and his team are frequently the first to encounter newly arriving homeless individuals
while they patrol the city's beaches and other areas on bicycle and on foot. Employing an engaging and affable
approach, they attempt to discern the specific needs of the individual, providing immediate aid or referrals
where appropriate. In many cases, individuals have become stranded in Santa Monica and simply need
assistance in returning home. Others have more serious issues, which might include substance abuse and/or
mental illness. West Coast Care's patient and deliberate interactions are designed to begin a process of
connecting every individual with a way off the streets and into housing and, most importantly, away from chronic
homelessness.
Every day, West Coast Care is making a positive difference in the lives of homeless individuals in Santa
Monica.
For the third year, the "Helping the Homeless” Sammy (Award) goes to West Coast Care. Since arriving
here in Oct. 2006, WCC has helped more than 750 people to transition off of the streets by reconnecting them
with family and friends in their home towns or getting them into treatment programs and/or housing. It’s an
absolutely amazing success record.
These guys have a phenomenal success rate and are getting even the chronically homeless off the streets.
At the Social Services Commission meeting on February 22, the City of Santa Monica presented the
findings of the citywide 2010 Homeless Count conducted on January 27, 2010. The point-in-time count
revealed an overall decrease of 18.9% in the number of homeless individuals on the streets and in shelters
and institutions within the city, as compared to the city’s 2009 Homeless Count.
Monica, Ron has employed a unique hands-on, street-savvy approach to providing services
to the homeless in our community. Ron and his dedicated staff work collaboratively with the
City's Human Services team, our Police and Fire Departments and our highly regarded non-profit social
service network. Ron and his team are frequently the first to encounter newly arriving homeless individuals
while they patrol the city's beaches and other areas on bicycle and on foot. Employing an engaging and affable
approach, they attempt to discern the specific needs of the individual, providing immediate aid or referrals
where appropriate. In many cases, individuals have become stranded in Santa Monica and simply need
assistance in returning home. Others have more serious issues, which might include substance abuse and/or
mental illness. West Coast Care's patient and deliberate interactions are designed to begin a process of
connecting every individual with a way off the streets and into housing and, most importantly, away from chronic
homelessness.
Every day, West Coast Care is making a positive difference in the lives of homeless individuals in Santa
Monica.
For the third year, the "Helping the Homeless” Sammy (Award) goes to West Coast Care. Since arriving
here in Oct. 2006, WCC has helped more than 750 people to transition off of the streets by reconnecting them
with family and friends in their home towns or getting them into treatment programs and/or housing. It’s an
absolutely amazing success record.
These guys have a phenomenal success rate and are getting even the chronically homeless off the streets.
At the Social Services Commission meeting on February 22, the City of Santa Monica presented the
findings of the citywide 2010 Homeless Count conducted on January 27, 2010. The point-in-time count
revealed an overall decrease of 18.9% in the number of homeless individuals on the streets and in shelters
and institutions within the city, as compared to the city’s 2009 Homeless Count.
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| Richard Bloom Councilmember - City of Santa Monica Mayor, 2002 - 2004, 2007; Mayor pro Tem, 2001, 2008 Chair, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission Councilmember, Westside Cities Council of Governments |
| Bill Bauer Santa Monica Daily Press 12.28.09 |
| Officer Robert Martinez Team Leader Homeless Liaison Program Santa Monica Police Dept. |
| The City of Santa Monica website |
