In a partnership between Sacramento County Department of Homeless Services and Housing, Community HealthWorks and the Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) Orangevale/Fair Oaks chapter, people living unsheltered in some of the farthest reaches of Sacramento County have a day each week to feel seen, heard and loved.

On Tuesday mornings, another team sets up a simple tent, table, jugs of water and a box of donated food items at the park in Township 9, along the American River Parkway. Community HealthWorks staff have iPads to access the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and ensure people have the services they need and are enrolled in the programs they want.

Both locations are staffed by compassionate staff members who know the regulars and treat them with dignity and respect. Before they even walked up, we talked about who they expected to see and the hope that they would show up. These office hours happen throughout the county, giving unsheltered folks in need of connection some much-needed stability.

In Orangevale, a woman walked up with a baby stroller but inside, to my surprise, was a small black and white cat. She came for a shower, a meal and a conversation with a group of workers that knew her well. Human connection, even just once a week, keeps many hopeful.

Another gentleman walked up for his appointment to be entered into the Homeless Management Information System for the first time. He wanted to enroll in CalFresh benefits and get on the shelter list. His case worker seemed relieved that he showed up. The unfortunate reality of homelessness is lack of stability; whether transportation, scheduling or a harsher reality, they get swept.

Gabby, Aaron and Canyon connect with several clients during the two-hour event, guiding new clients through the intake process which assesses their status through a check of vulnerabilities, available resources, criminal history, financial resources and more.

Gabby said that many clients are initially hesitant to honestly answer questions about criminal history and mental illness. 

“We can help clients clear misdemeanor warrants that block people from getting into housing. We can make connections with clinicians, critical medications and mental health treatment. Once they find that out, they’re more willing to be transparent with us,” Gabby said.

I asked them why they do this job, specifically why they choose to work in the field instead of in a shelter. Aaron said, “I want to bring resources outside of four walls, where so many people are suffering. Meeting clients where they are helps build trust. They are in the trenches; so are we.”

Canyon agreed but for him, its more so a life mantra: “I believe that while you’re alive, do things that make a difference. Do work that makes life better for everyone. So many people think they aren’t worthy or don’t deserve help but they do.”

Gabby has a history of working in family education, group homes and similar nonprofit organizations with a mission to help homeless. 

“The system has failed people. Unhoused people aren’t helpless but they do need a bridge to resources and education. I love educating the community and being part of the change,” Gabby said.

At Township 9, a man wandered up on a bike, peeking into the box of food donations. He was thrilled to see an assortment of sweets. He said that he’s currently sheltered nearby at the Gathering Inn. He declined a water jug, leaving it for those who are completely unsheltered.

Another regular practically ran up to the tent. He shared an elaborate story about an army general and a battle just over the hill. He held a can opener as if it was a bayonet and it was clear he’s suffering from mental illness. But Crystal and Nate from Community HealthWorks know him, understand what to expect and engage him in meaningful conversation, offer him water and food and treat him with respect.

Just a few minutes later, a woman walked up asking for help because she found two tiny kittens in the middle of the road but could not help them because she has two dogs. Crystal called 3-1-1 to make a connection to animal control. Meanwhile, staff engaged her in conversation and she said that her neighboring encampment was recently swept and her friends lost their dog crate and a stack of vital documents. The trauma rolls through nearby encampments fearful of similar activity.

It is a familiar story in many areas of Sacramento County: the clearing of encampments sets residents back through the loss of IDs, paperwork, survival gear and perhaps most importantly, trust in the system.

Nate said he has been helping the homeless for years as a volunteer. 

“I didn’t even know this was a paid job. I’ve always helped people that do not have any support or resources. I love people. Everyone is human and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” Nate said. “People feel forgotten and that makes them hopeless. Even if I am just helping them get a new ID or some food, it helps them feel seen, puts a smile on their face. That is what it’s about for me.”

As Crystal got off the phone with 3-1-1, relaying instructions to move the kittens to a safe place, she added her work philosophy: “Everyone has turned their back on these people; they don’t deserve that. I have so much empathy for people. Really, I think I was made for this job. People need the most help when they’re at the bottom.”

Community HealthWorks mission is to advance community, social and economic health one person at a time. In 2024, Community HealthWorks connected more than 1,050 Sacramento County residents to housing and shelter. Community HealthWorkers facilitated a wide range of services, including assisting 8,200-plus individuals with Medi-Cal enrollments and renewals, 9,800-plus medical and behavioral health appointments scheduled, and more than 10,000 food supports (Cal-Fresh services) to reduce hunger and food insecurity.

It is such a blessing to my soul to be around folks who care so deeply for strangers, for the forgotten, for the people that society has decided aren’t worth their time. But they are worth our time. They are important and special and deserve to live a safe, dignified life. This Community HealthWorks team isn’t just checking the boxes; they are truly helpers.

As Mr. Rodgers once shared, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”