Hiring unhoused individuals straight out of encampments in a personally-transforming equity empowerment model that offers the opportunity for work, service to encampments, outreach to vulnerable unhoused individuals, and creation of safe living space alternatives. With my two preschool kids, we listened for ways to reach unhoused residents in our neighborhood. I convened a 12-county collaborative of encampment advocates where we coined “Safe Organized Spaces,” since replicated in other Bay Area communities.Since 2021, SOS has brought housed and unhoused neighbors together in Richmond CA to create outreach, encampment services, jobs, and safe living spaces as solutions to homelessness. 86% of SOS staff are hired from encampments. SOS works across housing lines to uplift neighborhood-based cooperation in support of the 1,500 individuals residing in unsafe encampment locations. SOS is constituent designed and delivered in a culture of belonging, trust and accountability. Four Focus Areas:OUTREACH: Build trusting relationships to support people’s survival and personal developmentENCAMPMENT SERVICES: Deliver water, sanitation, hygiene and other essentials to improve quality of lifeJOBS: Create opportunities that encourage advancement, career development, wellness, and housingSAFE LIVING SPACES: Collaborate to develop empowerment villages free from violence and insecurity

Facilitated an emergent coordinating body in Richmond to build organization and create interventions for people living without housing who are unsheltered in unsafe encampments: approached encampments; tested activities as alternatives to removal of encampments and their residents; facilitated encampment conversations for improving safety and stability; advocated for secure interim alternatives to unsupported encampments.

Instrumental in building an organization committed to the wellness of individuals, families, and youth through housing, program and community development to help folks who experience homelessness, poverty, and mental health issues achieve health and self-sufficiency and fight against the root causes of these conditions. Unique status in BOSS, maintaining simultaneous roles: project visioning, fund development, housing construction management, program development and implementation, constituent engagement, program management. Distinguished leadership to advance BOSS’ empowerment, equity, and social justice principles, expanded curricula and learning methods, developed systems and teamwork among participants and staff to engage the investment of diverse populations in common cause. Noted for excellence in detail and delivery, unprecedented energy, commitment, consistency. Expert program change management for performance turnaround.