Homeless in San Diego

An Interfaith Community Services podcast about the myths and realities around the big issue, and what you can do to help.

Sunny Soto-Brisco 11/13/2024

Sunny Soto-Brisco In this episode of Homeless in San Diego, we sit down with Sunny Soto-Brisco, the heart and soul of Sunny Street Outreach, a 501(c)(3) organization providing restaurant quality meals to the houseless and underserved communities in Oceanside. Sunny Soto-Brisco is a dedicated activist born and raised on the ancestral lands of the Luiseño/Juaneño band of Mission Indians in Oceanside. In just four years, Sunny Street Outreach has served over 10,000 meals. Tune in to hear Sunny’s inspiring story, her journey from grassroots mutual aid to an established nonprofit, and a discussion on how we can foster collaboration between traditional nonprofits and grassroots initiatives. Links: /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/33916222

Katie Holden 10/21/2024

Katie Holden On this episode of Homeless in San Diego, we interview Katie Holden, a former Occupational Therapist Intern at our Abraham & Lillian Turk Recuperative Care Center. As an intern at the Turk Center, she conducted a study on pet ownership during transitional housing. Join us to learn about the benefits of keeping owners and their pets together, the challenges they face, and the barriers to getting an Emotional Support Animal letter. Katie earned her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos. Links: https://www.usa.edu/ /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/33520332

Tom McDaniel 07/30/2024

Tom McDaniel Join us this week on Homeless in San Diego to listen to Tom McDaniel’s story. Tom went through both our residential and outpatient programs, worked hard in college, and two months ago graduated with his degree in air conditioning & refrigeration from Palomar College. He was recently accepted into the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana for Wildlife Biology. In this episode, Tom shares his journey of resilience and growth. He talks about learning how to trust, volunteering at the Rising Scholars Network, the importance of a strong support network, and setting goals for success. Links: Rising Scholars (Transitions) Program – Rising Scholars Network /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/32341757

Mike Smack 06/25/2024

Mike Smack Tune in to Interfaith’s Homeless in San Diego podcast as we feature local artist Mike Smack. Mike joins us to speak about his inspiring journey and the beautiful mural he created in our Escondido shelter. Inspired by conversations with detox clients, he incorporated serene clouds and even added a citrus design after seeing fresh oranges and lemons in our food pantry. Mike uses painting and other artistic practices to explore his curiosity of the human experience. While wandering the world for 5+ years, he found a universal language in art - a means to connect cultural gaps and ascend communication barriers. Mike calls this mural "one of the most fun and meaningful projects I've ever worked on," and we're grateful for the lasting impact it will have on future residents of our Recovery programs. Tune in to hear Mike’s story of creativity, community, and making a difference through art. Links: Instagram: Website: /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/31874982

Brandon O'Connell 06/04/2024

Brandon O'Connell Welcome to this special episode of Homeless in San Diego. Today, we are honored to have Brandon O'Connell as our guest. Brandon, a Job Coach at Vantage Point for three years, is now pursuing his own company to help people coming out of incarceration. His journey from Skid Row to a stable and fulfilling life highlights his remarkable resilience, inner strength, and unwavering commitment to personal growth. Brandon runs his own podcast, Trash Can Talk, and collaborates with various companies in T-shirt printing, music, art, clothing, and stand-up comedy. In this episode, Brandon shares insights on: His personal journey Reintegration programs for people coming out of incarceration The evolution of mental health facilities Tune in to hear Brandon’s inspiring story, how to give yourself a chance, and find support. Links: Insta: Podcast: /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/31591747

Eddie Walker 05/21/2024

Eddie Walker In this episode of Homeless in San Diego, we welcome our first-ever property manager, Eddie Walker. With over a hundred episodes behind us, we're excited to bring you a new perspective on the challenges and solutions surrounding homelessness. Eddie has been working with us for several years at Quince Park Apartments, providing invaluable partnership and support in our mission to help those in need. Join us as Eddie shares his experiences, discusses the obstacles property managers face, and explores the approaches he's seen make a difference. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/31206067

Jason Ritchie 05/09/2024

Jason Ritchie This week on Homeless in San Diego, we welcome filmmaker Jason Ritchie, a storyteller driven by the struggles of his own life. Ritchie was incarcerated for over 17 years in the California prison system and has overcome drug and alcohol addiction. He used education for his personal rehabilitation and believes it to be a crucial contributing factor for success in re-entry and recovery. Through Project Rebound, Ritchie has gone on to graduate from SDSU with an Interdisciplinary BA in Film, Journalism, and Art, and was accepted into a Master’s program in Learning Design and Technology. His goal is to help others tell their stories of incarceration and addiction in the hopes of bringing awareness that these issues do not discriminate. Ritchie recently received a fellowship through Columbia University's INCITE program, an interdisciplinary institute that produces knowledge for public action at Columbia University. There, he is creating an experiential theatrical installation piece titled "Street Seen." The play is expected to debut in November and invites audiences to view life from the perspective of people who live on the streets. Don't miss this inspiring episode that challenges perceptions and showcases the strength found in second chances. Instagram: /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/31205387

David Fitzgibbons 04/27/2024

David Fitzgibbons In honor of Volunteer Appreciation month we have a remarkable podcast episode for you. Our guest today is none other than David Fitzgibbons, a dedicated volunteer and donor at Interfaith. David has been serving as an intake volunteer every Tuesday and Thursday for over four years, helping to meet the basic needs of our community. He assists with obtaining food, hygiene products, clothes, resources, and connects people with a Case Manager as needed. David's commitment to our community is exemplary, and we are grateful for his service. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and we invite you to listen in and hear David's perspective. You might even be inspired to become our next intake volunteer. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/31005148

Dr. Kadri Webb & Dr. Nate Sessoms 02/27/2024

Dr. Kadri Webb & Dr. Nate Sessoms "I think one of the things I'm most proud of about the organization and obviously your leadership is a huge part of that, is that the organization has taken this bold stance to say we are going to stand up against injustice, we are going to serve the most vulnerable, be proud of it, and we're not going to be quiet about it." Dr. Nate Sessoms This week, we have a very special episode in store for 'Homeless in San Diego.' For the first time ever, our podcast is hosted by Dr. Nate Sessoms, CEO of Success Beyond Measure, and our Board Chair, Dr. Kadri Webb. Join them as they explore this year's theme, 'African Americans and the Arts,' delve into black history, and discuss its personal significance. They will share their experiences, stories, and accomplishments, shedding light on Interfaith’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) within the community. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/30129693

Point In Time Count 2024 02/20/2024

Point In Time Count 2024 Joining CEO of Interfaith Community Services, Greg Anglea, are 3 employees each with their own diverse careers and their take on the Point In Time Count. Throughout the podcast, we tackle essential questions, such as the motivation behind participating in the PITC, the personal experiences of those involved, and the impact of the count on our community. Discover the stories behind the statistics, uncover the reasons people decide to work with those experiencing homelessness, and explore the concept of "meeting people where they are at." 2023 Data : Volunteer: /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/29992043

Lisa Halverstadt 02/08/2024

Lisa Halverstadt Interfaith's podcast, 'Homeless in San Diego,' is making a grand return! Not only are we launching the first episode back with senior investigative reporter Lisa Halverstadt, but going forward each episode will have a video version. Lisa Halverstadt is a senior investigative reporter for Voice of San Diego who has been digging into the region’s homelessness crisis for more than eight years. Join us for this episode as we interview Lisa the most tenured reporter on homelessness in San Diego. As we cover our broken homeless system, the increased need for behavioral health beds, and the challenges people face experiencing homelessness. If you have ever wondered how difficult it is for people to get help this episode offers invaluable insight. Make sure to look at the show notes below P.S. After we recorded this episode Lisa released a two-part in-depth story on homeless hospital patients detailing the complex reality our San Diegans face on a daily basis. If you have the time we highly encourage you to read the story as well. Email: X: LinkedIn: Facebook: /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/29808538

Peter Seidler- A Commitment to Help 11/17/2023

Peter Seidler- A Commitment to Help Join us for a reflective journey in this special episode of "Homeless in San Diego: Real People, Real Stories" as we pay tribute to the late Peter Seidler. Your host, Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services, guides us through a poignant exploration of a past episode featuring Peter Seidler, Managing Partner of the San Diego Padres. In this thoughtful retrospective, we revisit the insightful conversation between Greg and Peter, delving into Peter's background in business and Major League Baseball. Together, they explore the transformative moments that shaped Peter's commitment to addressing homelessness in San Diego. Peter's personal experiences, including his battle with cancer and the meaningful connections he forged while walking the streets of Downtown San Diego, provide a powerful backdrop for this reflection. As we honor the legacy of Peter Seidler, this episode serves as a tribute to his dedication and compassion towards making a positive impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Join us for a heartfelt journey as we revisit the wisdom and insights shared by Peter in this memorable episode. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/28692033

Scott 07/25/2023

Scott Scott life had hit rock bottom. After serving in the Air Force and battling homelessness and addiction on the streets of San Diego, he felt trapped in despair. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerged when he realized he had the unwavering support of the VA. With nothing left to lose, he sought solace at the VA hospital, where he began his journey to recovery. During his time there, Aspell was informed a program for homeless veterans run by Interfaith Community Services. Determined to turn his life around, he immersed himself in the program at the Abraham & Lillian Turk Recuperative Care Center. Aware that the road ahead wouldn't be smooth, Aspell acknowledged the challenges he faced. Although he possessed disability benefits and social security, his credit score is in poor shape. Yet, he holds onto optimism, hoping that he would qualify for a low-income home. With determination fueling his spirit and newfound support guiding his path, Aspell embarked on a quest for stability and a fresh start. The echoes of his troubled past spurred him forward, eager to break free from the chains that once bound him. As he seeks a place to call his own, Aspell dreams of a future built on resilience, strength, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/27533172

Hugh Hughes/ Residency Apparel 06/27/2023

Hugh Hughes/ Residency Apparel Hugh Hughes is the president of Residency Apparel, a social enterprise using custom, branded apparel to support women transitioning into permanent housing in Los Angeles. For over the last ten years, Residency has worked with and alongside the unhoused population in LA, and they are able to fund that work through their donors and their clients that need their own branded merchandise. Their programs are two-fold: supportive employment, and sponsorship of trauma therapy for women in need. You can learn more about their work at /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/27286728

Lynn (Ashley's Hope pt.2) 06/13/2023

Lynn (Ashley's Hope pt.2) We welcome back Lynn Solorzano, Founder and President of . Lynn started this non-profit in memory of her daughter, Ashley. Ashley passed away after 8 years living on the streets of San Diego -- she was only 25. The mission of Ashley’s Hope is to provide people struggling with homeless-related issues dignity, respect and most importantly, hope. Lynn is providing all Interfaith locations with clean, gently used clothing on a regular basis. Learn More About Ashley’s Hope: /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/27074292

Rich 05/30/2023

Rich Rich has lived experience of homelessness and addiction. He is a former Marine, MMA, Fighter, and Police Officer whose life has not been easy. While dealing with trauma Rich turned to drugs as an escape from reality. Ultimately, he ended up homeless for 12 years. Since then, Rich has gone through programs and reflects on his journey to self-sufficiency and recovery. Rich has since then overcome homelessness and someone who wants to give back and be of service to those who are in a similar position he was in. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/26989674

Shannon 05/16/2023

Shannon Shannon came to interfaith through a referral to be part of our RWC Program (Recovery and Wellness). After successfully graduating from the program, she is now a live in Manager of a women's sober living home. Through the trials and tribulations of her life, Shannon has overcome homelessness, is sober, and lives a life to help others. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/26850600

Mei pt.2 05/02/2023

Mei pt.2 We are happy to welcome back Mei. Mei inspires all of us at Interfaith. In Mei’s own words, she “suffered bouts of homelessness throughout her life and has managed to obtain secure housing and push forward through many years of trauma since childhood. “ In 2020, Mei opened Daydream, a gift shop located on Grand Avenue in Downtown Escondido, and launched a separate line selling her handmade “Humanitote” bags. For every bag sold, Mei donates a Humanitote bag to Interfaith filled with toiletries which are given directly to Humans experiencing homelessness. As a business owner, and Interfaith partner, Mei furthered her work by collaborating on an ongoing fundraising event called Breakfast & Bags “for a unified effort in helping Interfaith help our houseless neighbors in need,” at Sunny Side Kitchen in Escondido where she launches each new Humanitote Collection at the event. We are grateful to Mei and Sunny Side Kitchen for their support! Breakfast & Bags are held on the second Saturday of each month from 8am-12pm. Join us in supporting Mei by visiting her store, Daydream in Escondido, and supporting her Humanitote project at . /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/26685975

Elizabeth 04/25/2023

Elizabeth Liz Rosas faced homelessness in San Diego for a year, from December 2013 to December 2014. Now, she actively advocates for others who are currently experiencing homelessness. She is a member of the Regional Task Force on Homelessness' Continuum of Care Advisory Board, representing those who are and were previously homeless. Additionally, she actively participates in the San Diego Housing Federation's Homeless-Experienced Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) Network. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/26637783

Drew Moser 04/04/2023

Drew Moser Drew Moser is the Executive Director of the Lucky Duck Foundation, which raises money to fund, activate and lead high-impact programs that alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. He has been in this role since early 2019. Drew is passionate about facilitating the generosity of donors who are committed to immediately helping those suffering from homelessness. He joins us to talk about the homeless crisis and the work that is being done to help those in need. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/26428830

Sunny Rey 03/21/2023

Sunny Rey Sunny Rey, was born into homelessness and dropped off in San Diego by her birth mom where her early experiences in foster care into adoption rooted her first musings as a writer at age 12. Growing up in the system with social workers ever present, Sunny found herself the rebel activist with a strong desire to build communities that combined art and a welcoming inclusive movement. Sunny's early adulthood was spent with 15 years working in the social work arena while writing books on the side and raising her two children as a single mom. She recently founded a 501(C)3 where she put together hygiene kits for the home less with fellow poets . https://www.poetsundergroundpress.com /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/26218584

Tiny Homes with Ellen and Renee 03/07/2023

Tiny Homes with Ellen and Renee Here to talk about their expertise with (tiny) Housing is Ellen Stone and Renee Seevers. 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, Match 11, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM & Sun, Mar 12, 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. Visit tinynow.org to learn more about Tiny Homes. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/26146302

Holly Point-in-Time Count 01/18/2023

Holly Point-in-Time Count Holly Nelson serves as Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager for the City of Escondido. She's also a friend and former employee of Interfaith. Holly began her career with us as a case manager and has shown an unrelenting commitment over the years to helping to secure housing and benefits to unsheltered members of our community. Please listen to our latest episode of Homeless in San Diego to learn more about Holly and the Point in Time Count she's spearheading this month. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/25637739

Marc Prescott 01/10/2023

Marc Prescott Marc is a Volunteer at Interfaith, who feels passionately about giving back to those in need. In his adventurous career he has worked in television as a new reporter, and an entrepreneur in many fields of media entertainment. While perusing his entrepreneurship Marc found himself close to homelessness. Now Marc understands how easily being homeless can happen and that it can happen to anyone. Through his compassion, Marc now wants to help those in need and does so by Volunteering in Interfaith. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/25560813

Jimmy pt. 2 12/20/2022

Jimmy pt. 2 Jimmy, came through Interfaith twice, and is now housed, sober, and working fulltime as an employee with the Union. In his story he shares that when facing homelessness, it was difficult to accept help when it was offered, but through the endless efforts of the Homeless Outreach team he accepted the help and got the help he needed. Through his and trials and tribulations Jimmy has turned his life around, and hopes that he can inspire people with his story. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/25354368

Jimmy 12/13/2022

Jimmy Jimmy, came through Interfaith twice, and is now housed, sober, and working fulltime as an employee with the Union. In his story he shares that when facing homelessness, it was difficult to accept help when it was offered, but through the endless efforts of the Homeless Outreach team he accepted the help and got the help he needed. Through his and trials and tribulations Jimmy has turned his life around, and hopes that he can inspire people with his story. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/25314219

Pam 11/22/2022

Pam Meet Pam! Pam has overcome adversity and is ready to help others do the same! Pam is one of Interfaith’s newest employees. Despite recently joining, she has had to become familiar with our motto of "helping people help themselves" long before she joined us. Adopted from the Philippines at an early age, Pam grew up in Fallbrook where she often felt isolated and without a real support system. At the height of the pandemic, her life at home and relationships were not healthy. To escape the struggles at home, she became homeless and often couch surfed. Although Pam went without a home for a long time, she persevered and enrolled at UC Riverside where she worked hard to earn a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and even made the Dean’s list for academic excellence! Today, Pam is excited to share and use her experiences to help people in need overcome their own difficult situations, all while continuing to further her education and goals. Pam embodies our mission of helping people in need overcome difficult situations and reach new heights! /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/25024977

Mauro 10/25/2022

Mauro We're taking a short recess in recording this week while we prepare for our Annual Meeting and Grand Opening of our Turk Recuperative Care Center on October 26th . This gives us the perfect opportunity to look back on a previous episode with Mauro a local artist and the visionary behind the largest mural in Escondido titled "Journey to Healing." This mural will live on as a symbol of recovery for all those who will begin transforming their lives at the Abraham and Lillian Turk Recuperative Care Center, for years to come. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/24795609

Marlon 10/18/2022

Marlon As we take a short break lets reflect on one of our most popular episodes. Please note new phone number is : 760.489.6380 Marlon is a Navy veteran from New Jersey. After serving for 20 years and being deployed to San Diego, he was able to retire in 2012. Yet, after being affected by an identity fraud scam, he was forced to come out of retirement and struggled financially. Fortunately, after connecting with someone who referred him to Interfaith, he was able to receive the right job training to put his life back on course. Today, Marlon is doing a lot for himself and his community. He is the founder and owner of his own business, Blue Sky Enterprise (BSE) Security Services. He actively employs veterans and refers them to job training opportunities; all while taking the first steps to establish his own non-profit. Named LOV (Love Our Veterans), Marlon plans on building a veterans home for young and old vets to help one another achieve success. /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/24724116

Candi 10/11/2022

Candi Candi Milo is one of the busiest actresses in voice-overs today and is honored to have taken the mantle from the legendary late June Foray as the voice of Granny for all of Warner Brothers Animation projects. Milo is a successful actor and Annie Award nominee best known for voicing Dexter in Dexter’s Laboratory and The Flea in Mucha Lucha, along with literally thousands of other well-known characters. Her recent memoir, "Surviving the Odd," covers the topical concepts of how we deal with people experiencing homelessness as well as those with mental health problems as seen through the eyes of a child. She learned by watching how the outside world treats people experiencing homelessness vs. Her own experiences of living with people experiencing homelessness while growing up. She is a passionate advocate for people dealing with mental illness and homelessness /episode/index/show/homelessinsandiego/id/24645945

Homeless in San Diego

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