Finding His Footing
In February 2024, Partnership member Vince braved a rainy day to visit the Partnership regional office in Eureka in search of housing assistance resources. Michelle, a health care guide in the Care Coordination Department, welcomed him inside the office and offered him a cup of coffee. Michelle learned of Vince's unhoused status that lasted nearly 20 years and applauded him for seeking out resources. She assured Vince that she would connect him to the right resources.
Michelle connected Vince with the Enhanced Health Services Department, the team dedicated to administering Community Supports (CS) benefits at Partnership. The CS benefits aim to address the health-related social needs of members, offering support to secure and maintain housing benefits, medically-tailored meals, and a variety of other community-based services. Michelle was confident this referral would point Vince in the right direction.
In May 2024, Michelle was surprised to see Vince come back to the Eureka office. He shared that the referral to Community Supports not only helped him learn what housing assistance programs were available to him, he discovered he was eligible for the Veterans Affairs residential housing. Vince was in the area that day to meet with the mayor of Eureka to discuss veteran's and homeless issues. “I wanted to make sure I gave you an update," Vince shared with Michelle. Vince stopped by another time in June to share he was speaking in front of the Eureka City Council to discuss homelessness concerns from his firsthand experience.
Vince continued to check in with Michelle each month of 2024. From getting the keys to his veteran housing in July to the major update that he was registering for college courses in August, to the confirmation of his construction courses at College of the Redwoods, Vince eagerly kept Michelle abreast of his successful trajectory. Michelle even began seeing Vince volunteer at local community events during this time.
Vince served as a first-time volunteer at the North Coast Stand Down in Ferndale in September 2024, an annual three-day event aiming to serve veterans and their families. The North Coast Stand Down brings non-profits and community members together to highlight the resources and services available in Humboldt County to veterans. These services range from housing resources, to health visits, to veterinary care for the animals of veterans. Vince shared he wants his story to be one of hope for other veterans in similar situations to him. He was even interviewed for a local news story with Redwood News for his volunteer efforts.
Almost unrecognizable, dressed in a suit and a big smile, Vince visited Michelle one final time in December 2024. He shared how his stable housing was going, that he celebrated one year of sobriety, and he continued to take his college courses. He expressed his gratitude for the services and support he was given by Partnership and Michelle alike. We are eager to see how Vince continues to thrive in this new chapter of his life!
Partnership’s regional offices allow for opportunities like this to
happen organically. We are grateful Michelle was able to connect with Vince.
The bond formed between Vince and Michelle exemplifies Partnership’s mission,
“to help the members, and the communities we serve, be healthy.”
