Eliminate Homelessness for Oakland's Unsheltered

Unstable living conditions, poverty, housing scarcity, and many other issues have contributed to individuals falling into homelessness. The Covid-19 pandemic has both highlighted and worsened underlying mental and behavioral health challenges homeless individuals face. To remedy this, Roots Community Health Center recently transformed its Turning Point program into a transitional housing and workforce development program. This program provides emergency but stable housing while equipping its participants with the necessary skills to secure long-term employment. Additionally, it connects them to Roots’ expansive cache of services providing physical, emotional, and behavioral care to them, ensuring their health does not impede their ability to work. This program transforms lives, providing our people a pathway out of homelessness that did not exist before. 

Turning Point provides temporary housing for up to 40 homeless individuals. Within the first two months of the program's launch, we are proud to say two residents transitioned to permanent housing, and four have been linked to job opportunities. Each program serving as a point of entry as Roots dedicated team members help transition homeless households off the streets and into temporary housing solutions. Once stabilized, navigators help community members identify barriers to employment and link them with wrap-around services to address those barriers.  

The Covid-19 crisis upended all of our lives. Much of the country has come to a halt, the ripple effect has disproportionately impacted those with low economic mobility; the homeless, those living from paycheck to paycheck, individuals living with mental illness, and chronic health conditions. We’re working to solve our community members' immediate needs each day while collaboratively working with our community partners and stakeholders to analyze the long-term impact and anticipated future needs. This crisis has exacerbated existing chronic issues in our community like lack of access to medicine and financial instability, which have only gotten worse. Our goal is to let them know they do not stand alone. Your gifts allow us to continue to serve the community most vulnerable.