Thursday mornings in Orangevale, residents experiencing homelessness can get a hot meal, a shower, some clothes and a meaningful conversation with Community HealthWorks (CoHeWo) case workers that can help with a myriad of service connections on the road to exiting homelessness.
In a partnership between Sacramento County Department of Homeless Services and Housing, CoHeWo and the Orangevale/Fair Oaks chapter of Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) – people living unsheltered in some of the farthest reaches of Sacramento County have a day each week to feel seen, heard and loved.
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Tuesday mornings another team sets up a simple tent, table, jugs of water and a box of donated food items at the park in Township 9, along the American River Parkway. CoHeWo staff have iPads to access the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and ensure people have the services they need and are enrolled in the programs they want.
Both locations are staffed by compassionate staff that know the regulars and treat them with dignity and respect. Before they even walked up, we talked about who they expected to see and the hope that they would show up. These office hours happen throughout the County, giving unsheltered folks in need of connection some much-needed stability.
In Orangevale, a woman walked up with a baby stroller – but inside, to my surprise, there was a small black and white cat. She came for a shower, a meal and a conversation with a group of workers that knew her well. Human connection, even just once a week, keeps many hopeful.
Another gentleman walked up for his appointment to be entered into HMIS for the first time. He wanted to enroll in CalFresh benefits and get on the shelter list. His case worker seemed relieved that he showed up. The unfortunate reality of homelessness is lack of stability – whether transportation, scheduling or a harsher reality, they get swept.
Gabby, Aaron and Canyon connect with several clients during the two-hour event. Guiding new clients through the intake process which assesses their status through a check of vulnerabilities, available resources, criminal history, financial resources and more.
Gabby says that many clients are initially hesitant to honestly answer questions about criminal history and mental illness. “We can help clients clear misdemeanor warrants that block people from getting into housing. We can make connections with clinicians, critical medications and mental health treatment. Once they find that out, they’re more willing to be transparent with us.”
I ask them why they do this job – why they choose to work in the field instead of in a shelter. Aaron thoughtfully says, “I want to bring resources outside of four walls, where so many people are suffering. Meeting clients where they are helps build trust. They are in the trenches, so are we.”
Canyon agrees, but for him its more so a life mantra: “I believe that while you’re alive, do things that make a difference. Do work that makes life better for everyone. So many people think they aren’t worthy or don’t deserve help – but they do.”
Gabby has a history of working in family education, group homes and similar non-profit organizations with a mission to help homeless. “The system has failed people. Unhoused people aren’t helpless, but they do need a bridge to resources and education. I love educating the community and being part of the change,”
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At Township 9, a man wanders up on a bike, peeking into the box of food donations. He is thrilled to see an assortment of sweets. He mentions he’s currently sheltered nearby at the Gathering Inn. He declines a water jug, leaving it for folks that are completely unsheltered.
Another regular practically runs up to the tent. He shares an elaborate story about an army general and a battle that’s just over the hill. He’s holding a can opener as if it’s a bayonet and it’s clear he’s suffering from mental illness. But Crystal and Nate from CoHeWo know him, understand what to expect and engage him in meaningful conversation, offer him water and food and treat him with respect.
Just a few minutes later, a woman walks up asking for help because she found two tiny kittens in the middle of the road, but cannot help them because she has two dogs. Crystal, calls 3-1-1 to make a connection to animal control. Meanwhile, staff engage her in conversation. She mentions her neighboring encampment was recently swept. Her friends lost their dog crate and a stack of vital documents. The trauma rolls through nearby encampments fearful of similar activity.
It is a familiar story in many areas of the County – the clearing of encampments sets residents back through the loss of IDs, paperwork, survival gear and perhaps the most important thing – trust in the system.
Nate says he’s been helping out homeless for years, as a volunteer. “I didn’t even know this was a paid job! I’ve always helped people that do not have any support or resources. I love people. Everyone is human and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. People feel forgotten and that makes them hopeless. Even if I am just helping them get a new ID or some food – it helps them feel seen, puts a smile on their face. That is what it’s about for me.”
As Crystal gets off with 3-1-1, relaying instructions to move the kittens to a safe place, she adds her philosophy on the work she does – “Everyone has turned their back on these people – they don’t deserve that. I have so much empathy for people. Really, I think I was made for this job. People need the most help when they’re at the bottom.”
CoHeWo’s mission is to advance community, social and economic health one person at a time. In 2024, CoHeWo connected over 1,050 Sacramento County residents to housing and shelter. Community Health Workers facilitated a wide range of services including assisting 8,200+ individuals with Medi-Cal enrollments and renewals, 9,800+ medical and behavioral health appointments scheduled, and more than 10,000 food supports (Cal-Fresh services) to reduce hunger and food insecurity.
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It is such a blessing to my soul to be around folks that care so deeply for strangers, for the forgotten, for the people that society has decided aren’t worth their time. But they are worth our time. They are important and special and deserve to live a safe, dignified life. This CoHeWo team isn’t just checking the boxes – they are truly helpers.
As Mr. Rodgers once shared: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”