Shelter is essential.
Protection from the elements and security from the world are fundamental needs, ones that matter even more when you have a family to care for. Shelter is also, unfortunately, not guaranteed, and struggles with homelessness are prevalent everywhere, including Monterey County.
One program that aims to provide relief and aid in recovery for displaced and homeless families is the Monterey Salvation Army Housing Program. Yesenia Lopez-Rubio has acted as the program manager for the past four years, though this is her newest role as a long-time staff member of the Salvation Army.
Eighteen years ago, while studying at Cal State Monterey Bay to become a social worker, Lopez-Rubio interned at the Salvation Army. After graduating, she joined the staff and has since worn many hats in her years there, including Resident Service Coordinator and Program Assistant.
“We just try to offer as much support to who we can,” said Lopez-Rubio.
A benefit of being on staff for nearly two decades is being able to witness the housing program grow and take shape she says. The Monterey Housing Program consists of two types of housing, both designed for homeless families or families on the verge of homelessness.
The first is the Frederiksen House, a 90-day emergency shelter. The second is transitional housing, 24-month offerings comprising the Casa de las Palmas and Phase II programs.
“When I started, or as an intern, we still had four units for the emergency shelter, but those were at a hotel,” said Lopez-Rubio. “Early on in my career, the Frederiksen House program was built and so now we have our own building that’s part of Salvation Army property.”
Casa de las Palmas was the Salvation Army’s original transitional housing and Phase II was built around 2012, said Lopez-Rubio.
These shelters are resources for struggling families, who come from diverse situations and histories.
“The majority of the families coming in are single moms, but we’ve had single dads and couples with children,” said Lopez-Rubio. “We’re able to take on families from a lot of different backgrounds … They’re coming from an eviction or foreclosure, or sometimes it’s due to domestic violence.”
A major aim of the housing program is to simply be ready for their clients on a timeline that works for them.
“We’ve had families where we’ve gotten phone calls and they’re trying to leave a domestic violence situation,” said Lopez-Rubio. “They’re about to come into the program and they can’t … We let them know that it’s OK. Whenever you’re ready, give us a call.”
The housing program is much more than simply providing a roof and basic needs. It is also support, community and education. It is an active program designed to provide resources and push clients toward stable housing.
“We provide our clients with case management,” said Lopez-Rubio. “We’re working with clients on individual goals, getting them connected to different resources or letting them know what’s happening in the community.
“We also do workshops … On a monthly basis we have presenters from different organizations in the community that would provide useful tools for families,” she said. “So we’ll focus on tenant education, on parenting, on nutrition, on stress management.”
With such an involved and driven program, it is no surprise that the housing program has no shortage of incredible stories. “There are a couple cases that have really stuck with me over time,” said Lopez-Rubio.
“There was a family that I worked with in the beginning and she was pregnant at the time,” she recalled. “She is still a part of the alumni services. She still comes in and says hi. Her child is like 10 already.
“It’s really amazing, just seeing the family in a stable spot and wanting to stay connected to us.”
Just as driven as the housing team is, of course, the families that are brave enough to get help and driven enough to establish themselves past the program. One such family started a book club with their fellow housing families eight years ago and it is still going strong today.
“I saw them recently for book club night. We do different books like self-motivation or self-care, just something to help families bring positivity,” said Lopez-Rubio. “This way they can still be connected to us (when they exit the program).”
While physically, the Salvation Army Housing Program provides only transitional housing, it also aims to provide a team focused on problem solving and kindness to create an invaluable service for struggling families in Monterey County.
The Salvation Army “really wants to help as much as we can,” Lopez-Rubio said, “to provide hope for families.”
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Operation Christmas Cheer was created in 1985 – a partnership between The Herald, West Coast Community Bank and the Salvation Army. It has raised more than $2.6 million and the Salvation Army has used the money for a variety of services, from buying turkeys to giving away Christmas toys for children, not just military kids but kids throughout the community. The Herald offers to publish a short message from donors, as well as the donor’s name, unless they want to remain anonymous. West Coast Community Bank in Monterey gathers donations and passes them on to the Salvation Army. None of the funds go toward administrative costs. Those wishing to contribute can visit bit.ly/OperationChristmasCheer or use coupons printed in The Herald.
