Hey Neighbor,

Lack of housing is a challenge for all Californians, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.

We know that you’re saddened, overwhelmed, and frustrated by homelessness in California. We are, too. But we refuse to lose hope.

We’re social workers, therapists, and doctors dedicated to helping our most vulnerable unhoused neighbors get off the streets.

If they’re out here, so are we.

Sincerely,

Your California Behavioral
Health Departments

Bringing care
to our communities.

Finding housing for
our neighbors.

Compassionate
mental health care
is our mission.

OUR COMMUNITY,
OUR NEIGHBORS,
OUR MISSION.

OUR MISSION

We are social workers, therapists, doctors, nurses, peers, and community members passionate about helping others in need. We’re dedicated to doing whatever it takes, as long as it takes, because we see the positive impact our care can have on person’s life, forever.

We know our work is never done, and yet we refuse to lose hope.

Los Angeles

CONNECTION

We bring our care to our communities and reach out with compassion. Our relationship-based approach to care prioritizes building connections through daily interactions in order to establish trust and foster hope.

STABILITY

We connect people to the safe housing and mental health treatment they need to find stable ground. We help ensure people’s unique needs are met as they journey back to health and independence. 


WELLNESS

We support people as they work towards their goals and enable a more meaningful life. We help them gain the tools and capabilities necessary to re-enter society with confidence and control.

This looks like–

Crisis Response

Emergency Housing

Medication

Showers & Personal Hygiene

Meals & Grocery

Transitional Housing

Psychiatric Services

Landlord Mediation

Credit Repair

Substance Abuse Services

Employment

Permanent Housing

Educational Programs

Financial Services

Psychiatric Therapy

WHO WE ARE


Millie,
Social Worker, LA County
Chance,
Psychiatrist, LA County
Lavit,
Social Worker, LA County

OUR
NEIGHBORS

Today, hundreds of thousands Californians are unhoused. That’s hundreds of thousands sisters, best friends, fathers, daughters, and cousins, many of whom are suffering from moderate to severe mental illness.

 

#OurNeighbors
Kentucky's Story
#OurNeighbors
Kendra's Story
#OurNeighbors
Kontrena's Story

OUR
COMMUNITIES

We provide each continuum of care in every county. No matter the street corner or clinic, we lead with personalized, dignified care that respects a individual’s civil liberties, autonomy, and unique needs.


Our comprehensive approach to mental health care extends to every aspect of an individual’s journey, from healing to housing.

Our Communities

A public service of CaLMHSA on behalf of the County Behavioral Health Departments of California

©2024, CalMHSA

info@calmhsa.org

Meet Millie—a social worker in LA County who is dedicated to helping people suffering from mental illness get the care they need.

Meet Dr. Chancelor Cruz, a psychiatrist who works for LA County at Hollywood 2.0. Every day he and his team criss-cross the streets of Hollywood to bring mental health care to the unhoused. Dr. Cruz is passionate about helping people regain stability through therapy and medication, but he also wants to see people experience joy.

“Our end goal is to help people live a meaningful life, whatever that may mean to the individual.”

Meet Lavit—a social worker for LA County with an unwavering commitment to changing the lives of the unhoused for the better.

After years working in the streets of Skid Row, these days you’ll find her on the sidewalks of Hollywood, sitting crosslegged with unhoused neighbors, bringing people food and water, driving them to doctor’s appointments, and finding them safe housing.

“This work is complicated, nuanced, dirty, and hard. But we’re out here, helping people, every day, and doing the best we can. You can’t love the schizophrenia out of someone. But you can provide them with the care they need.”

Kentucky was living on the street for six years, in a barely inhabitable crack between two buildings. After meeting Nancy, a social worker with Hollywood 2.0, Kentucky found housing, and began working on securing aide that can support his transition into permanent housing.

Kendra is living in transitional housing after years on the streets of Hollywood. She loves the safety and security afforded by having a room of her own, as well as the opportunity to have a desk piled high with art supplies. She enjoys making colorful collages to decorate her space.

Kontrena lived on the streets of Monterey for over three years, and things had become unbearable. She had lost all hope and feared that she would die in the abandoned building where she was hiding, until a friendly voice called out her name — specifically, her nickname.

It was a County Behavioral Health Department worker who had been looking for Kontrena. This moment of recognition and human connection was the turning point that helped her begin her journey to healing.

Today, she’s the Peer Advocacy & Outreach Coordinator at Interim, Inc., where she uses her own experience to help others find their way.