IS THE CHURCH CALLED TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS CRISIS IN SAN DIEGO?
We believe the answer is YES.
THE CRISIS:
According to the 2024 Regional Task Force on Homelessness Point in Time Count, at least 10,605 people are experiencing homelessness in San Diego County. According to the same study, 23% self-reported as having a substance use disorder. It is widely accepted by people who once suffered from homelessness and addiction, and who now work in homeless services that as many as 80% of the unsheltered population have some form of addiction or substance abuse. The Voice of San Diego reported 378 fentanyl-related overdose deaths among those experiencing homelessness in San Diego County in 2023.
THE SOLUTION:
Please take 2 minutes to see WHY and HOW The Church can BE the answer to our city’s number one crisis.
THE IMPACT:
HOW CAN THE LORD USE MY CHURCH TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO?
What do our Church Partners say about working with We See You?
The Promise Church has been honored to partner with We See You San Diego for the last three years, to see lives powerfully transformed by WSY’s relationship-first approach to reaching the homeless. We are called to support We See You because they take the love of Jesus to the streets, to the “least of these”, and with honor and respect, they build relationships that see the person first, and homelessness and addiction second.
We See You knows that it’s not about reinforcing behavior, it’s about breaking the cycle of addiction and empowering people in the only way that lasts: introducing them to a true relationship with God through Jesus and letting the power of the Holy Spirit restore lives. We’ve seen the transformation firsthand. We have people in our church who have been through WSY’s program, who have graduated from our Bible College and are now serving at We See You to help rescue others. We enjoy a strong relationship with Laura Chez and We See You, knowing that our financial support and our weekly volunteers at the Dinner Parties are helping to grow an organization that truly gives back. Their heart is our heart: to do what it takes to rescue the lost, and to teach others to do the same.
The Promise Church, located in Northern Escondido, California, is a powerful, Spirit-Filled Church that flows in anointed, Biblically accurate preaching, Powerful Worship, and Discipleship.
-Senior Pastor Cindy Hope, Promise Church
For the past two years, our congregation of around 250, located in Alpine, California, has had the privilege of supporting We See You through monthly Taco Tuesday sponsorship, volunteer efforts, and a clothing collection point in our church foyer.
It was their powerful mission—“To see lives transformed among the homeless and addicted in San Diego”—that first drew us to partner with them. We’ve truly fallen in love with their hands-on approach to showing the love of God. They don't just treat these men and women who find themselves in chronic homelessness and addiction as clients—they treat them as friends. Every week, they provide opportunities (at no cost) for their “friends” to come off the streets and take steps toward rehabilitation.
As our Bethel family continues to serve alongside We See You, we’ve seen God’s blessings flow back into our congregation. The more we reach out, the more we see His love and grace multiplied in us.
If you're a pastor or church leader in San Diego, I urge you to seriously consider getting involved with this amazing organization. The work they’re doing is truly transforming lives, and it’s an honor to stand with them in this mission. May God bless you as you continue to serve your communities.
-Pastor Greg Roedell, Bethel Christian Assembly
The lives transformed by We See You San Diego are not restricted to those served but include those of us who have had the privilege to serve our neighbors. As pastor of The Immaculata Catholic Church on the University of San Diego campus, I have had the opportunity to witness both kinds of transformation. The WSYSD model becomes an inspiration for any who experience the comprehensive and dignified services that are provided for our neighbors in need.
Our parish has been involved with WSYSD for about four years and I have been personally inspired by the response of our parishioners who, as a result of a whole parish service opportunity on a Tuesday evening, have become a regular part of the WSYSD team as cooks, bakers, shoppers, servers, providing assistance with pets, or even clothes donation. There really is a service opportunity for everyone. I would encourage any pastor or congregation to consider partnering with WSYSD as a way to personalize the plight of so many of our unhoused neighbors, to have the opportunity to serve them, and to find solidarity and transformation in the process.
- Rev. Matthew D. Spahr, Pastor, The Immaculata Catholic Church
Our church, Clairemont Emmanuel, began our partnership with We See You San Diego in 2018.
Ways in which we partner currently:
Monthly sponsorship of 1 person for recovery
Monthly dinner party support (donations and volunteers)
Monthly Amazon order of hygiene supplies
Gift bags for guests on Valentine’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving & Christmas
Clothing drives
Monthly cards/care packages for men and women in recovery
Benefits for Clairemont Emmanuel Church:
Strengthened friendships/fellowship with like-minded followers of Christ
Opportunities to serve those less fortunate in a safe environment (all ages welcome)
Variety of ways to get plugged in based on physical and financial availability
We have had new members attracted to our church because of community outreach
Retirees are re-gaining “purpose” and decreased levels of isolation/depression
Children engagement in helping others/family volunteering together as a unit
- Jeanie Pressley, Living Waters Ministry Leader, Clairemont Emmanuel Church
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, which has a congregation size of 75-85 people who attend weekly, is located on Highway 94 and Euclid Ave. We have been partnering with We See You San Diego for 3 years.
In addition to financially supporting the ministry, 3 members of our congregation have leadership roles within the organization, and several members of our church volunteer occasionally. Our church hosts specific clothing drives for We See You, we post updates in our church newsletter, and the church donates ice for We See You’s dinner party every week.
We See You is a very warm, friendly gathering of like-minded Christians doing God's work.
- Dan Herman, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Next Steps
Thank you for taking time to find out more about how The Church can be part of the solution to our city's greatest need. To set up a meeting with a member of We See You's Executive Team or to book We See You to share this local mission with your church, please fill out this brief form and someone from our team will get back to you.