Champions Spotlight
Ending Homelessness in OC through WelcomeHomeOC
Since 2019, Orange County United Way’s WelcomeHomeOC program has helped over 1,000 OC individuals experiencing homelessness find a place to call home. The program connects individuals and families holding housing vouchers with local apartment owners. It covers moving expenses, security deposits, basic furnishings and wrap-around services to assist newly housed residents stay in their homes as well as resources for the property owners. This work would not be possible without the support of our Champions.
CHAMPIONS HELPING TO END HOMELESSNESS IN OC
Champion: Lawrence R. Armstrong
Chairman, Ware Malcomb | Chair, Leadership Council, United to End Homelessness | Board of Directors, Orange County United Way
“We have established a track record at United to End Homelessness, to house a person with a voucher in 45 days, for only $26,000! Together we can, and we will end homelessness in Orange County.”
Daniel's Story
“Thanks to United Way, I can finally think about my future and am in a place of peace and happiness.” – Daniel, former foster youth
Daniel spent most of his childhood in foster homes and at age 21, he was left homeless and searching for stable housing on his own. With the help of WelcomeHomeOC, Daniel now has a place to call home where he feels confident in his future.
Chase's Story
“After serving in the Middle East, the gratitude I have for a home comes from the deepest portion of my heart.” – Chase, veteran, seeking a college degree
After serving in the Middle East, going through a divorce and a series of other unfortunate events, Chase ended up homeless and living in his car for over a year. With limited income, he couldn’t make consistent rent payments. It wasn’t until WelcomeHomeOC found an apartment that accepted his HUD VASH voucher that he was placed into a home of his own. Today, Chase is enrolled in school at Santa Ana Community College where education has become a priority.
Champion: JoAnn and Ken Lickel
Retired – Alcon Laboratories | Board of Directors, Orange County United Way
Champion: Greg Custer
Executive Vice President, Whittier Trust | Leadership Council, United to End Homelessness
Grace's Story
“United Way is my real angel on earth.” – Grace, 37 years old, mother of two
Grace was homeless on and off with her children for three years due to a domestic abuse situation that left her helpless, powerless and in true survival mode. With help from WelcomeHomeOC, Grace says she was “truly welcomed home.” She went from struggling with her kids to moving into her new apartment just three days before Christmas.
Linda's Story
“In the morning, I get to see photos of my children hanging on the walls of my new home because of United Way.” – Linda, 62 years old
After being displaced from her home of 31 years due to family circumstances and rising rent costs, Linda moved everything to storage and began living out of her car. As she searched for apartments on her own, many wouldn’t accept her emotional support animal. It wasn’t until she was connected with WelcomeHomeOC that she was approved for housing in areas she was often denied.
Champion: Charles Antis
Founder & CEO, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing | Leadership Council, United to End Homelessness | Board of Directors, Orange County United Way
Champion: Samueli Foundation
Leadership Council, United to End Homelessness
“I support this campaign anonymously and believe in the work of United to End Homelessness here in Orange County.” – Anonymous Donor
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
Alfred's Story
“What United Way provided for me in my new home is a gift and I’m so grateful.” – Alfred, veteran, cancer survivor
Severe medical conditions and insurmountable bills from congestive heart failure and kidney and thyroid cancer treatments and complications ultimately left Alfred homeless. After struggling to find a home on his own and afford security deposits, WelcomeHomeOC stepped in to find him a stable home where he can focus on the things that are most important—his health and healing.
Julie's Story
“United Way helped me finally achieve my greatest goal – finding a home.” – Julie, 24 years old, former foster youth”
Julie entered into foster care at the age of 16 and when she aged out of the system, she was left helpless and without a stable home or space to call her own. She was eventually connected with WelcomeHomeOC who helped find her an apartment. She hopes to attend school to become a Registered Nurse and is looking forward to regaining her independence in her new home.
Champion: Automobile Club of Southern California
Champion: Tarsadia Foundation
Bernadette's Story
“My new home represents peace and joy, and motivates me to be the best version of myself.” – Bernadette, former foster youth
Bernadette aged out of the foster care system when she was 19 and lived with different extended family members until strained family relationships left her homeless. Four months felt like a lifetime when she had nowhere to go. WelcomeHomeOC found her an apartment in a safe and comfortable place that accepted her voucher. She finally has a place to call home.
Day's Story
“I think I would still be living in a car right now without United Way.” – Day, Army Veteran
Army veteran Day returned from deployment in 2012 and was diagnosed with PTSD. Even working 60-hour weeks and two jobs, she couldn’t build enough savings for move-in cost plus rent. Day became homeless and was living in a borrowed car. Her situation seemed hopeless. But then our WelcomeHomeOC program helped her find an apartment where she could use her housing voucher.
Champion: Cinda S. and Steven Churm
Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, FivePoint Holdings, LLC | Leadership Council, United to End Homelessness | Chair, Board of Directors, Orange County United Way
Champion: Verizon
Champion: Peter and Gail Ochs
Stephanie's Story
“When United Way helped me find a home, they turned a very desperate situation into a happy and joyful one.” – Stephanie, 66 years old
When Stephanie fell on hard financial luck and lost her job, she also lost her home and struggled for years to find a permanent job to support herself. With no retirement savings, she could not afford to stop working. In 2014, she was ultimately forced into homelessness and used what savings she had from temporary jobs to rent motel rooms and toggled between shelters. In 2019, she received her Section 8 housing voucher and was connected with WelcomeHomeOC, who helped her find an apartment where she felt comfortable and also assisted her with the security deposit, furniture and a new refrigerator. Stephanie said she will continue to enjoy her new home for years to come and is reminded daily of the generosity she’s been shown when she looks around her home.
Mary's Story
“After 12 years of living on the street, it feels surreal to be in my own home thanks to United Way.” – Mary, 34 years old, working towards a college degree
After a series of hardships in her early 20’s, Mary found herself homeless and eventually, living on the streets in Santa Ana for nearly 12 years. After receiving her housing voucher, individual apartment searches left her depressed and defeated. Thanks to WelcomeHomeOC, she found the perfect place to call home and continue on the path for a brighter future.
Champion: SoCalGas
Champion: Patrick S. Donahue
Robert's Story
“I will be able to improve my health and live a truly happy life in the new home United Way helped me find.” – Robert, 85 years old, veteran
When his wife became ill and needed open-heart surgery, Robert did what he had to do to save the love of his life – sell his home for little to nothing. Unable to afford a new place to live and suffering from his own medical conditions, he ended up homeless, living in an uninhabitable vehicle. That was until WelcomeHomeOC helped him find a place to call his own.
Tony's Story
“United Way helped me in more ways than one and my family now has a safe place to live.” – Tony, veteran, husband and father
Tony lost his job last year and was unable to find stable work to maintain housing for him and his family. That’s when their homelessness began and hope started to dwindle. Thankfully, with a HUD VASH voucher, WelcomeHomeOC was able to find a safe and suitable new home for him and his family. He’s looking forward to building a life with his child and wife and intends to focus on his job as an employment specialist for veterans so that others can avoid the same situation he was in.
Champion: The Isidore & Penny Myers Foundation
Champion: Verizon
Martina's Story
“United Way was the answer to my prayers. Having a place to come home to at night is an awesome feeling.” – Martina, finally home after 6 years living on the streets
When monthly rent increased, Martina was unable to make payments and she was forced into homelessness. She worked hard to find a job and save money while living on the streets but it wasn’t until she was connected with WelcomeHomeOC that she was put on the path to finally finding a place to call home. She’s grateful for not only the support she’s received but for the immense amount of hope that they gave her.
Luis's Story
“United Way guided me through a challenging time but so much good came from it, including a home.” – Luis, former foster youth
An unstable family and living situation left Luis homeless when he needed support the most. After six months of staying in and out of shelters, Luis was connected with WelcomeHomeOC for a home of his own. He’s grateful for his new space and looking forward to cooking daily. He believes there’s “no wrong way to cook.”
Champion: Michael Cupps and Golden Eagle Foundation
Champion: Kaiser Permanente Orange County
Joyce's Story
“I’m over and beyond appreciative of United Way helping me find a home. I can stop worrying and focus on my health.” – Joyce, 62 years old, first whole person care voucher holder to be housed through WelcomeHomeOC
Joyce has been living with complex and life threatening medical issues her entire life. After a lack of familial support and mounting medical bills, Joyce was forced into homelessness, and began living in motels and shelters. She received her housing voucher in May 2020 and was connected to WelcomeHomeOC shortly after. In July, she finally had a place to call her own. Joyce is grateful for what the program has done for her and feels her new space will allow her to focus on improving her health without worrying about things like food and shelter, especially during a global pandemic.
Sara's Story
“A home used to be my dream and now it’s my reality thanks to United Way.” – Sara, 35 years old, mother of two
Lack of affordable housing, an abusive relationship and mental health issues were all barriers to maintaining stable housing for Sara. She entered into homelessness in 2011 and remained homeless for the following six years. Eventually, WelcomeHomeOC was able to find her an apartment. She can now focus on her career and watch her daughters thrive in their new life.
Champion: Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation
Champion: Bank of America
Doug's Story
“I didn’t think that having a stable home was something that would ever happen for me. It’s a miracle thanks to United Way.” – Doug, 50 years old
Chronic medical conditions and mounting bills related to hospital visits left Doug homeless and searching for a place to live that would be conducive to healing. His inability to work was a huge financial barrier to ending his homelessness but when he was issued a section 8 housing voucher and connected with WelcomeHomeOC shortly after, he saw the light at the end of the tunnel. He now has a comfortable home to live in that meets his needs so he can focus on his health.
Katie's Story
“United Way moved mountains for me. They found me a home, and I finally feel safe again.” – Katie, 53 years old, spent years living on the streets before being welcomed home
An abusive relationship stripped Katie of everything she’d worked for financially, and left her homeless and on the streets. Through a service provider partner, Katie was connected to WelcomeHomeOC, and now has her own home. Katie hopes to go back to work and is taking time to prioritize her personal mental and physical health.
Champion: St. Mark Presbyterian Church
Champion: Homeful Foundation
Max's Story
“When United Way helped find me a home, it was like a breath of fresh air, and I’m so grateful.” – Max, veteran, aspiring production manager
After nearly nine years of military service, 37-year-old Max struggled to make ends meet when he returned to civilian life. It was hard to maintain a consistent income to afford rent and Max became homeless in 2018. WelcomeHomeOC found an apartment to accept his VASH voucher and now he can finally say he is home. Since finding stable housing, Max has enrolled in LA Film School, and with just four months left until graduation, he is looking forward to building his career.
Briana's Story
“I’m finally getting a chance to prove how independent I can be thanks to help from United Way.” – Briana, 23 years old, former foster youth
Briana entered the foster care system when she was just five years old and when she phased out of it, was left with nowhere to go. Briana was determined to find a place where she and her son could live safely and happily, but most apartment rents were significantly out of her budget. She was issued a housing voucher and connected with WelcomeHomeOC in January 2020 to assist her in finding an apartment that would accept her voucher. Now, Briana and her son are thriving in a community and city that she loves. She is looking forward to raising her son in a stable and happy home.
Champion: Union Bank
Champion: Orange County Community Foundation
Bernadette's Story
“My new home represents peace and joy, and motivates me to be the best version of myself.” – Bernadette, former foster youth
Bernadette aged out of the foster care system when she was 19 and lived with different extended family members until strained family relationships left her homeless. Four months felt like a lifetime when she had nowhere to go. WelcomeHomeOC found her an apartment in a safe and comfortable place that accepted her voucher. She finally has a place to call home.
Shane's Story
“I am blessed. My stress level is finally low and my life is moving at a great pace. Thanks to United Way, being home has 100% played a part in that.” – Shane, 44 years old, dealing with a debilitating spine condition
Shane has struggled with a physical spine disability his entire life, and eventually, it affected his ability to work. He was forced to quit his job to focus on healing and reducing his pain. Unfortunately, the pain ensued and after being out of work for an extended period of time, ended up homeless in 2011. For years after, he spent time in and out of homeless shelters before beginning the process of obtaining a rental assistance housing voucher. When he received his voucher in 2020, he was connected with WelcomeHomeOC and found a place perfect for him and his needs. There are so many things Shane loves about having his own space, “four walls, a shower, a place to sleep at night, and a kitchen to cook in.”
Champion: County of Orange
Champion: Reverend Paul C. Reeves
Champion: Ducommun
Hector's Story
“Our lives have turned out for the better thanks to United Way and their help finding us a home.” – Hector, 77 years old, Navy veteran
Hector and his wife only became homeless at the beginning of this year. A series of unfortunate family circumstances resulted in the loss of their rental home and they were forced into homelessness. When they were put in touch with WelcomeHomeOC, their “lives changed.” With a new space to call their own, new furniture and a fridge, Hector and his wife are ready to pick up where they left off and are looking forward to stable housing.
