The Downtown San Diego Partnership and its Clean & Safe Program announced a major milestone achieved by the Family Reunification Program, sponsored by Sharp HealthCare. The program has successfully reunited 1,000 homeless individuals in Downtown San Diego with friends and family across the country.
Launched in 2011, Clean & Safe homeless outreach coordinators identify homeless individuals who may benefit the most by traveling back home to loved ones. Family and friends are then contacted to ensure the person has a place to stay and necessary support. Once confirmed, the outreach team offers the individual transportation necessary to reconnect with their support system.
Kris Michell, President and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, stated, “Finding answers to homelessness is challenging, but this collaborative effort proves it is possible. A strong support system is essential for all of us, and I look forward to the continued success of the Family Reunification Program.”
The success of the program is due to the generous sponsorship from Sharp HealthCare, along with the support and contributions from several organizations including AT&T, Bank of America, the County of San Diego, and San Diego Gas & Electric.
Executive Vice President of Sharp HealthCare, Dan Gross, praised the program, saying, “This amazing program has ended homelessness for 1,000 individuals and should be widely applauded. I encourage more organizations in San Diego to support this proven solution, which works with people living on the streets to renew relationships with family and friends in a supportive environment.”
The individual stories of the 1,000 people aided by the program are unique and inspiring. For example, Jeffrey, an honorably discharged veteran, was struggling with alcoholism and became homeless in Downtown San Diego. With the support of the Clean & Safe homeless outreach coordinators, he was able to reconnect with his family in Missouri and enter a veteran treatment program called House Incorporated.
Alonso Vivas, Executive Director of Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Clean & Safe Program, stated, “The Family Reunification Program changes lives forever. It gives hope to some of the most vulnerable members of our Downtown community. It’s been an incredible journey so far and this is just the beginning.”
To learn more about the Downtown San Diego Partnership and the Clean & Safe Program, please visit www.downtownsandiego.org.
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