South Orange County Uniting To End Homelessness

COSTA MESA, CA — What is your knee-jerk reaction when you see a homeless person in your neighborhood? Do you want to call the police, or do you try and lend a helping hand? There are many roads that lead to homelessness, according to the United Way Orange County and their United To End Homelessness Campaign.

One of their largest advocates was a former taxi driver who ended up on that road to homelessness not so long ago.

He is known as "Santa Bob," and after over a year on the streets, he found his way back from the darkness of homelessness, illness and despair.

Robert Morse, Santa Bob's real name, moved to Orange County in the 1960s. He is a graduate of Orange Coast College with a degree in political science, and after working many odd jobs, was living in a hotel and driving a cab. That was the last place Morse worked for several years.

"(The cab company) went out of business. Then, I ran out of money and ended up on the streets," Morse said in a testimonial video for the United To End Homelessness campaign.

"The first year...was...rather difficult."

Back in those days, the OCTA ran 24-hours a day, and Morse rode the busses through the night.

"During the day I'd go to the beach to stay warm," he said. Being out on the streets created health issues, and Morse came down with pneumonia. Then, he got his diagnosis: COPD and Asthma.

"For me, the change in my circumstances happened when I heard about the Check-In Center" in Costa Mesa, he said.

For someone who had to lug everything they owned everywhere, a trip to the Center was freeing. It was eye-opening. It was life-changing.

Inside the storage facility were stacks of plastic bins where Morse could write his name, place his belongings, keep toiletries and clean clothes along with other personal items. It was an opportunity that he had no idea existed, a novel approach to helping homeless people regain their dignity.

The storage-bin for the homeless is a "unique idea," he said. For Morse, it was life-changing.

"Being able to store clean clothes, being able to change every day. It is a unique experience for most homeless people," he said.

Morse began helping there as a volunteer.

"For a while, I began as the de facto manager of the Check-In Center. Then, I became the manager, and I'm still there," he said. His pride is palpable in his words, and his focus is clear.

Morse has become an advocate for the homeless at the Costa Mesa Network for Homeless Solutions. He is lending expertise as someone who has been homeless, and headway is being made.

Advocates are making strides in Costa Mesa, but there is still a long way to go.

"We are trying to assist the homeless and push forward with an agenda for solving the homeless crisis," Morse said. "I do understand what's happening out there, having experienced homelessness."

However, Morse is just one story told by the #EndHomelessnessOC

In Mission Viejo, a new class called Homeless 101 will be co-presented by Becks Heyhoe (United Way) and Brad Fieldhouse (City Net).

What is homelessness?

Why do people become homeless?

What is being done to prevent homelessness?

Can homelessness be solved?

Find out more at the Tuesday, Nov. 13 meeting at the Mount of Olives Church located at 24772 Chrisanta Street in Mission Viejo.

Photo via YouTube screenshot