What do you do at the County?
I am out stationed and work with San Diego Police Department. I ride along with a police officer and contact homeless individuals on the street. We offer them assistance and referrals to programs and agencies. The goal is to assist the homeless in removing barriers to basic needs.
What do you like most about your job?
Assisting an individual in getting services and basic needs meet.
What's your favorite memory from your work?
My favorite memory is of a client that everybody gave up on,
including himself. He was a chronic problem in the community with
multiple ambulance runs to the ER monthly. He was extremely vulnerable
and lacked the mental capacity to advocate for his own basic needs. He
was unable to receive public assistance due to his lack of
identification. I was tasked with trying to assist him. I created a
plan and reached out to multiple agencies to assist me in trying to
stabilize the client. It was a collaborative effort that involved
multiple agencies from all levels. It was rewarding both personally
and professionally to witness the willingness on everyone’s part to
work together to help one man find his way back to dignity. He was
been housed and stable now for going on two years.
