James is able to receive food, clothing, hot showers, and more thanks to your support.
James, a man in his 50s, worked as a mechanic for 15 years. But seven years ago, everything changed. After developing a heart condition, James said his doctor told him he had to stop working. Suddenly without income, and facing long delays applying for disability, James found himself without a home.
James said the challenges of life on the street are constant. Today, he is still unhoused and struggling to recover from an infection in his leg. Finding a safe place to sleep, get food, and simply stay clean can be overwhelming.
“Getting into a shelter is hard – you have to be in one location to get food, another place at the right time to have a chance of getting into a shelter, and catching buses, getting food, and getting to where you have to be can be almost impossible some days,” James said.
He explained that dealing with paperwork and keeping track of schedules has always been difficult for him, and that these challenges have only gotten harder since becoming homeless.
James comes regularly to the St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County Family Resource Center in Pittsburg. There, he receives groceries from the food pantry and takes part in the weekly Saturday shower program, where he can get a hot shower and clean clothes.
“Honestly I’m so thankful,” James said. “The food I get is helping keep me alive.”
He also receives daily meals from the Loaves and Fishes Pittsburg Dining Room at St. Vincent de Paul, which serves a hot lunch seven days a week.
“Everyone here is so nice to me,” he said. “They’re always so helpful and kind. It feels safe here and like people really care.”
James shared that he is grateful to live in Contra Costa County, where community groups work together to care for people who are unhoused.
“I just think I’m lucky to be in Contra Costa if I’m going to be homeless,” he said. “I think Contra Costa is the best in the world at caring for people on the street, because of groups like St. Vincent de Paul and Loaves and Fishes.”
James also expressed thanks for the Pittsburg Police Department, who helped connect him with the Contra Costa Health Services CORE homeless outreach team and got him onto a housing list.
“I’ve just been so scared,” James said. “But it’s starting to feel like there’s really a light at the end of this tunnel.”
Through food, showers, warm meals, and community connections, St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County continues to walk alongside neighbors like James, hoping he will be placed in permanent supportive housing soon, with dignity and care.
