Success Stories

The City of Riverside and the Department of Housing and Human Services would like to extend our warmest welcome home to Ms. Stephens and her pup, Amazing.

Ms. Stephens lived in the river bottom for six years facing many challenges, just her and her furry companion. Determined to get back on her feet, she worked with the Department of Housing and Human services and applied to many units but started to lose hope as many of the units she applied to denied her application. Her outreach and case worker, Maria consistently reached out to landlords advocating for Ms. Stephens. After some time, a unit became available, and Ms. Stephens was approved. With the keys to her very own apartment, Ms. Stephens is now focused on finding employment, becoming self-sufficient, and looking to reunite with her children once again.

Congratulations, Ms. Stephens and Amazing! The City of Riverside wishes you the utmost best on your new journey!

Jimmy Dean Kendrick came to California for a job offer he received in 2022. In 2023, things took a turn for the worse. Jimmy found himself living on the streets of Riverside without support and in desperate need of assistance. Thankfully, the Office of Homeless Solutions was able to lend the help he needed. Outreach staff with the Riverside Access Center were able to connect Jimmy to the needed resources and got him a bus ride back home where he will receive family support. Jimmy was very appreciative of the services provided by the city of Riverside.”

The City Of Riverside would like to Congratulate Melinda Fobes on her new forever home! While conducting outreach in the river bottom last year Maria from the Department of Housing and Human Services came across Melinda and had offered Melinda resources and housing. Maria realized Melinda needed immediate medical attention seeing that her legs were very swollen, and she could barely walk. After Maria transported Melinda to the hospital, Melinda was informed that she would need to be placed in a recuperative care facility since she had many other health problems some which required surgery. Melinda was devastated but hospitalized for months.

Unfortunately, Melinda was back in the river bottom not having anywhere to go and got back into contact with outreach worker Maria. Melinda had shared prior to living in the river bottom she would work two jobs to be able to sustain herself and her child while she lived with her father. After her father’s passing this caused Melinda to be homeless for eight years in the river bottom. Melinda’s priority has always been to be able to get back on her feet and be able to have a stable permanent house for her son to be able to visit her. With the help of Outreach worker Maria, City Net and Office of Homeless Solutions, Melinda is now in permanent stable housing. Welcome Home Melinda we are wishing the very best for you and your son!!

The City of Riverside Office of Homeless Solutions would like to congratulate Clifford Boyd on his new home. Clifford had been unsheltered for eight years and lived in the river bottom with his dogs, trying to get by, facing many challenges. While conducting outreach Clifford was offered resources and housing. Outreach worker Maria took over and became his case worker helping Clifford obtain proper documentation. Clifford expressed how excited and hopeful he has become since it’s been many years, he felt a part of society. Clifford worked diligently to get all needed documentation for his housing and became more and more eager the closer he became to moving into his new home.

Unfortunately, Clifford sustained a seizure unexpectedly and was hospitalized for a few days. Clifford was informed by his doctor that the gastric cancer he had previously beat eight years ago has returned but unfortunately is now terminal. Clifford was distraught but was determined to be housed and live comfortably after being unsheltered for many years. Clifford expressed his birthday was coming up and his wish was to be moved into his new home before then. Knowing this outreach worker Maria made it possible to move him in as soon as time permitted to grant Clifford’s wish. Clifford is ecstatic and grateful for being able to live out his time comfortably without the worries and dangers he faced in the river bottom. Congratulations Clifford, City of Riverside wishes you a Happy Birthday and hopes you will live comfortably in your new home.

Congratulations Mr. Dale Pitts on your new Home!! Mr. Pitts is a senior citizen who has been unhoused for seven years. Throughout his time being unhoused, Dale faced many hardships such as losing his mother and being involved in a tragic accident which had left him disabled and hospitalized for seven years. After recovering from challenging life events, Mr. Pitts tried to reach out to family for support but was rejected and had to depend on the little he had to survive. Dale still struggles with his disabilities but has learned to persevere. Dale has been living at the river bottom for three years and recently accepted assistance from City of Riverside outreach services. Dale worked hard to achieve the goal of being housed and is currently working on stable permanent housing. Office of Homeless solutions is excited for Dale and his new place he can finally call Home!

Although most people associate the City of Riverside Office of Homeless Solutions with just outreaching and attempting to provide housing to the members of the homeless community a lesser known service we also provide is a “Trip Home”. To provide more context, if a homeless individual is attempting to go to another city, as long as they have a point of contact whether that is a friend, family member or organization willing meet them and take them in, than the Office of Homeless Solutions can provide transportation to them via bus ticket/ Greyhound. In the case of Leon Jackson, he is a resident of the City of Riverside facing homelessness. While the City of Riverside does have shelter and programs that provide assistance to young adults, Leon felt that they were not the right fit for him; per Leon himself his goals are to find secure housing, a job and work on himself as an individual so that he may be able to provide a stable environment for his two children and be a positive role model for them.

Through a coordinated effort with the team at the Riverside Access Center, Operation Safe House and Phoenix Rescue Mission, we were able to meet Leon speak about his main goals and how the organization Phoenix Rescue Mission would align with said goals. One day after meeting with Leon the three organizations were able to coordinate a trip home to Phoenix, Arizona where the staff at Phoenix Rescue Mission would be meeting Leon at the Greyhound station. Not wanting to waste this opportunity Leon immediately began applying for jobs in Phoenix and had immediately been contacted for an interview. From the team at the Riverside Access Center and The Office of Homeless Solutions we wish the absolute best on your journey Leon.

Mr. Davenport is a familiar face at the Riverside Access Center, where he had been seeking help for a long time but never fully committed to treatment for substance misuse. However, with the assistance of Sheila, an outreach worker from our partners at Path of Life, Mr. Davenport finally decided to accept services. He was admitted to the Arlington Recovery Center (ARC) to begin his journey towards recovery.

During his time at the ARC, Antonio completed 61 days of residential treatment at Whiteside Manor Inc. in Riverside and moved to a sober living facility and began working with his housing team to secure permanent supportive housing (PSH) using his military benefits (VASH).

The experience was challenging, but Antonio persevered, supported by the caring staff who helped him every step of the way. Antonio had one goal in mind, and that was to get housed. We are happy to share that he was able to sign a lease and is now working towards securing a full-time job being a peer support specialist to help others who are going through some of the same battles he once faced.

The City of Riverside Office of Homeless Solutions would like to also thank the Veterans Not Forgotten Foundation, who were informed about Antonio’s lease signing less than 24hrs before moving in and were quick to say, “How can we help?”. They provided a whole vehicle full of move-in items for Veteran Davenport.

Antonio's journey and transformation serve as an inspiring example of the power of community support and personal resilience. The City of Riverside and all involved are incredibly proud of his accomplishments, and they look forward to seeing him achieve even more with this fresh new start in life.

Riverside's summer heat is tough, but living in a vehicle? That was Ms. Stephens and Mr. Bergeron's reality. From River Bottom to city backstreets, their journey was marked by constant relocation. A traffic collision made it harder until Joseph from The City of Riverside's Office of Homeless Solutions outreach team connected them to helpful resources. Now, with tenant-based rental assistance, they've found a home and a path to self-sufficiency.

3 generations – Finally HOME

Grandmother Patricia, Daughter Lorena, and Grandson Samuel celebrate finally having a safe place they can call HOME. For all the grandson’s life, daughter Lorena states, “We’ve never had much stability, it was one year here one year there, but I never gave up I had to find a way to make it work for my son.” And it’s true, Lorena continued to show up every day, paperwork in hand and working with The Office of Homeless Solutions Staff to find housing. Always asking what more she could do to get her and her son out of the motel and get her mother, Patricia, out of the Riverbottom. After applying to countless 2-bedroom units and searching day and night, the family finally has a place to call HOME.

They are so excited to make this place their own and they stated, “Samuel just turned 8 years old, so it was the perfect gift to be able to tell him we are going HOME.” Grandmother Patricia spent the last 6.5 years in the Riverbottom, and she said she is excited to use this opportunity to work on her health and spend time with her family. “The Riverbottom was overall an unhealthy environment and I’m just so happy and grateful to you all to be out of there.” The family is adjusting well, and they are looking forward to the upcoming holidays and decorating their HOME. Congratulations to the Bailon Family and Welcome Home.

After 21 years unhoused – Kevin finally a place to call HOME

Kevin was born in Fresno, CA but he lived most of his life in Riverside, CA. Kevin moved to Riverside at 4 years old, and as a youth he attended Mountain View Elementary and John W. North HS. Mr. Johnson who shares openly about his struggle with substance misuse and his recovery, has just recently reached 14 years of sobriety. Although, it wasn’t the misuse of drugs and alcohol that ultimately led to his long journey on the streets. Mr. Johnson states “Going through a divorce took a very big toll on my overall stability; I struggled for years with trusting people romantically and personally, I still do.” Mr. Johnson now 66, said he decided to stop using 14 years ago because he understood the consequences of continuing that lifestyle.

After being in the Riverbottom for 21 years Kevin explains, “I was comfortable, but I began to become increasingly more worried about my health as time was passing. Samantha and the Office of Homeless Solutions found me at the right time. I was ready to get out of there.” Due to Kevin having two emotional support animals, it was not easy to find a landlord that was willing to rent to him, but Kevin never lost hope. Communicating daily with his worker, the Office of Homeless Solutions was finally able to find a place to call HOME for Mr. Johnson and his dogs. Kevin is adjusting well at his new home and states, “I take the dogs out to the onsite dog park every morning, they are so happy to be out of the Riverbottom.” Not only is Kevin taking care of his dogs, but he is also able to properly take care of himself now.

He shared how he is using the onsite gym, he has medical appointments scheduled, he can take showers daily, wash his clothes, store his food in a refrigerator, and most importantly he says, “I can finally lock my door, I’m safe. We’re safe.”. Kevin shared that he never wants to go back to the Riverbottom, “Having this roof over my head is something I’m proud of. For once I feel ‘normal’, and that motivates me to keep going.” When the world labeled him as “homeless”, he states, “I never felt human”. Mr. Johnson still visits the local Stater Bros where he would go daily for groceries when he was living in the Riverbottom. Kevin stated, “The workers all congratulated me on finding housing, they are happy for me, and I consider them to be my friends. I am happy for me. Why would I ever go back there (Riverbottom).” Congratulations Kevin, keep celebrating! The Office of Homeless Solutions staff are all very proud of you and happy for you. Welcome HOME!!

The City of Riverside Office of Homeless Solutions staff would like to extend our best wishes to Mr. Morgan on this new fresh start. Justin has found himself challenged by life in numerous ways, but he is excited and ready to use this opportunity as a fresh start. Case Manager Samantha and the Office of Homeless Solutions met Justin in the Santa Ana River Bottom where he was hesitant to speak with the team as he has had a history of justice involvement. Samantha built rapport with Mr. Morgan, and he accepted services. Case Manager Samantha and Justin worked together to complete all necessary documents and locate housing. Justin looks forward to working with his City Net case manager to obtain employment and set goals that will help him become self-sufficient. Congratulations Justin and Welcome Home!

The City of Riverside Office of Homeless Solutions staff would like to welcome Ms. Salinas home. The smile on her face says it all. Tina has spent many years on the streets of Riverside and was very familiar with many outreach staff, code enforcement and our city PSET team. When Case Manager Samantha first encountered Tina in the Santa Ana River Bottom, her frustrations were very clear. Tina stated, “Hi Samantha, I’m sorry but I’ve met others like you before. Everyone says they are going to help me and look at me. I’m still here, I’m still homeless.” Samantha was very understanding toward Tina’s frustrations, but really wanted to help Tina. It took time and a lot of patience to grow rapport with Tina, but that was something she needed; Tina needed to be able to trust the person she was working with. Although the process was full of many challenges for Tina she never gave up. She was very resourceful throughout the process and that is why she found her “forever home”.

After spending many years homeless around Riverside and the last three years in the Santa Ana River Bottom Tina shares, “My health has declined.” Tina wants to use this opportunity to focus on her overall health and wellbeing, and once her health stabilizes and she gets stronger, she looks forward to reconnecting with her family. Even though Tina has prayed for this day to come and her time being on the streets to come to an end, her transition into housing was very tough for everyone involved. Tina shared real emotions on the day of her transition from the Santa Ana River Bottom into her new home.

Tina explained, “I am afraid of change, this is all I’ve known for so many years.” It takes courage to embrace change, and Tina is very courageous. Tina shared with her case manager Samantha recently how well things have been going since she’s been housed, and she will use this motivation to continue to bigger and better things. “Just watch Samantha, I’m going to make you all proud”. The Office of Homeless Solutions staff are already very proud of you Tina Salinas and we wish you all the best. Congratulations and WELCOME HOME!

The City of Riverside Office of Homeless Solutions would like to Welcome Veteran Mustin home. James and his pup, who has since been laid to rest, have found their FOREVER HOME. Mr. Mustin, a native to Riverside, served in the United States Army from 1980-1990 where he spent his time traveling all over the world. While serving he split his time between Behavioral Science Specialist and Infantry. James returned to the states after his service and was doing his best to transition into civilian life when he was faced with his mothers passing. Due to the loss of his mother, James became homeless. Mr. Mustin still carries around pictures of his mother in his Bible and talks about her as if she was still here today. Veteran Mustin is a familiar face around Riverside, although not many people know the service he gave to our country.

After many years of living on the street, City of Riverside also learned of this news and his caseworker, Samantha, was very quick to assist Mr. Mustin to getting linked to the VA and getting the benefits he deserved. We are so proud of James and so happy to welcome him and his pup, Kawasaki home. It wasn’t long after James moved into housing that Kawasaki became very ill and had to be put down. Although it was a very hard loss for James, he shared with us that he believes Kawasaki stayed strong for him until he found his forever home. He says, "Kawasaki knows I’m safe now and she can rest in peace." The City of Riverside is continuing to support James through this transition. Best wishes to Mr. Mustin on this new journey; Kawasaki will forever be in our hearts.

The City of Riverside and the Office of Homeless Solutions would like to extend our warmest welcome home to Mr. Michael Carter. Michael has been struggling with finding stability for the last five years. Mr. Carter has had his fair share of adversities throughout his life, but when The City of Riverside Office of Homeless Solutions got a call from Mr. Carter, he shared that he was very focused on getting off the streets and would do whatever he needed to do to make that happen. Mr. Carter met with his caseworker, Samantha, in the Santa Ana Riverbottom and they got straight to work. If wasn’t for Mr. Carter’s determination to be housed this may have never happened, shares Samantha. He had all his paperwork in on time and was always calling to get updates on his housing process. Mr. Carter understood that it would take work and patience to find a forever home, but he did not give up. That is why we are here today, and that is why we are so proud of Mr. Carter.

Since signing the lease to his new apartment, Michael has not slowed down. He is working even harder with his in-home case worker to become stable and self-sufficient. He is working on getting income, connecting with a health care provider, and most importantly he says, "I finally get to see my son again and spend time with him." Something that Michael could not do while he was unhoused. Michael is so proud of his Home and so grateful for the opportunity. Michael, congratulations on this new journey! We have no doubt that this is just the beginning for you! We cannot wait to see where you will go from here.