Casa Esperanza Event Streamlines Homeless Services
Project Healthy Neighbors Provides One-Stop 'Shopping'
Every year around wintertime, Casa Esperanza Homeless Center takes a unique approach to serving Santa Barbara’s homeless population. More than just providing food and clothing, Project Healthy Neighbors, in its seventh year, offers a range of health care and other services all in the same place, including flu vaccinations, HIV testing, TB screenings, counseling, and even legal assistance.
“There was nothing like it in the tri-counties area,” said Imelda Loza, chief operating officer of Casa Esperanza. “They used our model and recently did a similar event in Santa Maria.”
On Monday and Tuesday morning this week, Casa opened its doors to homeless people, volunteers, doctors, and nurses. Booths were set up throughout the shelter and labeled with the specific services they provided. On Tuesday morning, dozens of homeless people were scattered around enjoying a meal or coffee, or taking advantage of the free offerings.
