Everyone has a story, and homelessness can touch anyone. It's important to remember that behind every person without a home, there is a unique narrative that deserves compassion and assistance.
Our Friends.
Barry
Barry has been a friend and client of the Mission for at least 5 years now. The Mission found him on a street corner in Fremont in his wheelchair, filthy, and severely mentally ill. After having stabilized him with psychiatric medication, and advocating for him before the medical and psychiatric community, the Mission helped place him in a first-rate nursing facility where he enjoys the care and comforts his physical condition requires. We visit him 7 days a week.
Eric
Lilly
This is Lilly...Lilly is a really special person. She was hit by a bus and thrown across the street. When she opened her eyes, she saw the paramedics. Lilly has been off the streets for about a year, she has been sober for about the same. She is mostly wheelchair bound because of the bus accident.
Paul
Paul is 63 years old, lived at the Oakland Hotel for five years and has been homeless for the past couple months. Recently he wasn't able to stand when he woke in the morning. He finally agreed to go to Summit Hospital where the doctors diagnosed severe arthritis aggravated by the cold nights outdoors. They transferred him to the Fruitvale Healthcare Center where we hope he will stay to have his health problems dealt with. Update: Paul likes the Fruitvale Center and is happy there.
Harry
Harry is in between housing, and is at least enjoying the shelter of a tent and visitations from the Mission until he gets back on his feet. The Mission will do whatever it can to support that goal.
"Moses"
Joe, aka “Moses”, lives in the Dimond district of Oakland. One of the most charismatic and intelligent of our clients. He is always positive. The many books that he reads has made him an excellent conversationalist. We often make brief house call visits to Joe. These visits ensure that people don’t suffer serious illnesses on the streets without proper medical care.
Ronald
Ronald , 65 yrs. old, was found at Lafayette Square Park immobile on a bench, and lying in his own feces. We cleaned him up, got him housing, and through frequent visitation, keep him up and walking to prevent the atrophy which had plagued him for so long.
Quince
Quince is 68 years old, and has been homeless for at least a decade. We are in the process of placing him into suitable housing arrangements. We visit him every day, and administer life saving medication such as insulin, as well as psych-meds. Update: After being placed in a skilled nursing facility, Quince lived for several years in residential housing, but recently had to be moved to hospice care.
Gregg
One of our volunteers, Dave, is trying to help Gregg get off the streets, worrying that he won't make it through another Winter.
Bonnie
Bonnie has been a grateful recipient of the Mission’s love for almost two decades. Because of our consistent interest in her life over the years, Bonnie has managed to avoid many of the unforgiving pitfalls of homelessness which result in serious illness and death. She is now residing with friends in comfortable housing, where the Mission continues to support her brave efforts to triumph over prostitution and drug addiction.
Michael
Michael enjoys the comforts of his own room at one of the Mission’s houses. We found Michael on a bus bench, disabled, and virtually naked. We took him off the streets, got him primary medical care, and continue to manage his life.
Delphine
Delphine was a long time abuser of drugs and alcohol, suffering from chronic kidney disease and glaucoma on the streets of Oakland. It was not uncommon to find her on the sidewalk, soaking in her own urine and feces. The Mission got her medical attention and back into her family home, where she now benefits from the love and care of family and friends. Her physical condition has improved miraculously, despite her blindness, and she still enjoys the daily visits from the Mission, which makes every effort to stay in people’s lives, which is the key to greatly improving their chances of success.
JD
J.D. is deaf and unable to walk. We found him naked and sitting in his wheel chair at a bus stop downtown. Our outreach managed to find him housing, and we continue to visit him with a smile and the snacks that he loves. Update: J.D. is at Fairmont Hospital, Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, San Leandro in long-term care where his specialized needs can be met.
Kietly
Kietly told us his brother brought him water every afternoon and that his case worker, Kathy, was looking for housing,but he was defecating in his bedding, urinating on himself, and not able to stand without help. The Crisis Response Team sent him to Highland hospital where doctors discovered a large burn, up and down his side, possibly caused by a cigarette fire. He is being held on a 5150 for 72 hours, but we are unable to track his progress and speak to a hospital social worker on his behalf so that he won't be re-released to this doorway due to patient confidentiality.
Loreen
Loreen is one of the Mission’s newest clients. Chronically homeless, and suffering from mental health issues, Loreen is in need of psychiatric medication and housing, both of which the Mission is making efforts to provide with the assistance of Bay Area Community Services (BACS).
