Note: Some names of individuals have been changed to protect their privacy. Content is produced unedited and with the permission of each member.

Berkeley Mental Health

For over seven years, Carl (an alias) was a fixture on one of the prominent street corners in Berkeley. He maintained a train of 3-4 shopping carts in which he kept all his possessions. These things were frequently stolen, after which he would begin the process of reacquiring odds and ends to give him a sense of place. He relied on panhandling and various soup kitchens for sustenance. Carl was considered to be a bizarre and dangerous spectacle as he was often seen yelling and gesticulating at forces he felt were oppressing and stalking him.

Read about Carl and other Berkeley Mental Health members.

Butte County SEARCH

I am a disabled Vietnam veteran. Over a year ago I was assaulted by an angry man. My face was badly beaten, I almost lost the vision in my left eye due to a deep cut right below the eye. I asked for help from the local VFW on the Friday following the attack. Instead of help, I was mocked by a few VFW members. I have never returned to anymore VFW meetings.

I went to the SEARCH Program’s office, within a few days and spoke to Larry about the attack. Greg also saw my face and was very upset that I got no help from any group of veterans and helped me. They put me in a hotel, eventually they got me an apartment. They pay most of my rent, I got a lot of help form them.

Eric, one of the SEARCH Team, has helped me many times. He got me my apartment, helped me move in. He went to my outside storage bin and got some of my essentials, like some chairs, a lamp, table, ect… He helped clean my apartment too.

The SEARCH Program has helped many homeless and low-income people. You could call me and I would gladly tell you how much the SEARCH staff has helped me.

- Anthony

View the profiles of more Butte SEARCH members.

Marin County Community Mental Health Services

The Mountain Man of Marin
Submitted by Shannon Mong, Psy.D., AB 2034 case manager

While the success of the AB2034 program is most easily measured by the number of homeless individuals who now have roofs over their heads or by the significant decreases in their psychiatric hospitalizations or arrests, there is another side to the success of this program that is hard to quantify. People who used to be isolated, shunned, or ignored are no longer alone. For many of the AB 2034 members, this may well be the most important accomplishment of all. For Samuel, that has certainly been the case.

Looking at Samuel on the street today, most people would not imagine that he is a “success”. His 6’ 4” frame causes him to stand out on the street, a lanky middle-aged man with long hair and a thick gray beard that brings to mind the image of Grizzly Adams. To the casual eye, he might look a little “odd” as he walks around town or up into the hills in his heavy jacket for his frequent hikes. Yet to those of us who know Samuel, he is a constantly evolving success, a wonderful example of what this program is set up to do.......(more)

Monterey MCHOME Program

My Survival on the Streets in Salinas, California

I became homeless in 2003 because I was using crack cocaine, my drug of choice which became my main priority. I had no money to pay for life expenses, and the drugs became very attractive to me as I was convinced that they helped me block pain and cope with everyday life. I am a survivor of child abuse, and the drugs helped my escape from the painful memories. My goal with this story is to tell you what it was like for me to recover on the streets of Chinatown as I was homeless and learned that I have a dual diagnosis, Drug abuse and Bipolar. I want anyone who reads this story to know that there is hope and you don’t have to go through it alone. (more)

San Joaquin HEARTS

To the HEART Program:

Thanks you for choosing me for this. I am honored and hope this can help someone else.
For many years I was living in fear searching for a way to get away from the torment. I got sick around the year 1996 and could not figure out what was happening to me. I searched and searched and could not find anyone to help me get away from this torment.

I sought help and came to be in many hospitals and numerous facilities none of which really helped me. I could accept my body failing but not my brain. By the year 2000 I was used to living in torment and just thought I would ignore it. Well that made me even sicker. I started having one surgery after another and staying in hospitals for months at a time and one time I almost died. I had a code blue but they revived me. I don’t know why God allowed me to live but he did. I was going thru with no parents or family support. But I did have some very supportive friends to help me through. I have ended up already having five surgeries and I don’t know if I’ll have any more but at least I have the right diagnosis for all that ails me.....(more)

The Mental Health Association of Orange County

Too Busy for AB

To meet Fabian today you would never imagine that the individual standing before you once dressed flamboyantly and lived in a park. It is true when Fabian was found by AB outreach staff he was dress in black leather skirt, heavy black work boots, black leather vest, white silky shirt, wearing an over sized turban that was close to 3 feet tall, and lots of gold chains and rings. His hair was worn in long dread locks and he had a beard. At times he would sit as if he was a regal prince surveying his realm. (more)