The Homeless Solutions Team is excited to announce that Corona’s first group of homeless residents were served at the Harrison HOPE Center this week!

Early in the morning on June 20^th, our Corona Police Department HOPE Team and City Net began their usual street outreach to find unsheltered homeless residents in need of help. Officer Martinez of the HOPE Team and Adrian Labastida of City Net engaged an elderly resident who recently lost her housing in Corona and was living in her car. Although she was emotional about the recent trauma associated with living on the streets as a senior citizen, she expressed her gratitude as she and other homeless residents were welcomed by the Mercy House Shelter Manager, Ashleigh Solomon, and the rest of the Mercy House Team.

Once the shelter guests were welcomed inside of the Harrison HOPE Center, they received a delicious hot breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. After breakfast, our new guests were so happy to have the benefit of a shower, clean clothes, and the feeling of safety in a welcoming environment. Mercy House case managers met with all new shelter guests and conducted an intake assessment to develop a crisis stabilization and housing plan for each client. Consistent with the vision of the City’s Homeless Strategic Plan, the Harrison HOPE Center operates as a complete system of services. As a result, clients have access to the on-site clinic to receive medical, behavioral health, and dental services as well as job development and life skills training and housing resources, including tenant-based rental assistance and permanent supportive housing. This systems-oriented approach will help our most vulnerable residents to regain hope, health, and housing!