Carmichael HART: Providing Essential Help For Those Experiencing Homelessness

When a person’s basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing aren’t met, it’s difficult to survive, much less thrive. So, the Carmichael Homeless Assistance Resource Team — or HART — exists to make sure our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness can receive the support they need.

Carmichael HART is a nonprofit supported by faith communities, other nonprofits, businesses, agencies, and individuals. The organization’s goal is simple — to support men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Carmichael. The Carmichael HART is part of a network of HART groups throughout the Sacramento area.

The nonprofit has been in Carmichael for about three years. Our Lady of the Assumption parishioner Juan Yniguez was part of the initial planning group to bring HART to Carmichael. Although this isn’t a ministry specific to Our Lady of the Assumption, Juan asks parishioners to join in supporting this work.

“OLA is a very generous parish,” Juan says. “Parishioners always help those in need. This is a good call for us as a parish to ask ourselves, ‘Are we in a position to work on this specific effort?’”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, one of HART’s primary ministries was offering winter overnight housing at churches throughout Carmichael in January and February. OLA volunteers helped with this effort by staffing the housing. This part of the ministry is on hiatus until the threat of the pandemic wanes. For 2022, HART will offer winter respite three days per week, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at area churches. This is a chance for individuals to eat, clean up, relax a bit and charge a phone.

“When I got involved, I learned the need is so great in the Sacramento area,” Juan says. “Once I started attending HART meetings, I realized I needed to stay on top of this to support our brothers and sisters who are experiencing homelessness.”

HART also operates the Charlotte House, a transitional house for women and their children. The house is staffed with case managers who help navigate the next steps like employment and permanent housing. A similar house for men will be opening soon. Financial support is needed to keep these programs in operation.

In addition, HART coordinates a program to provide Saturday morning showers to those experiencing homelessness, as well as a street outreach food program.

One important element often missed by those experiencing homelessness is community and support. So, HART also operates a buddy program through which adult mentors are paired with vulnerable students. A backpack program was also formed to support the students’ return to school. About 300 backpacks were distributed for the current school year.

Juan says HART has allowed him to truly see Christ in the face of others. He has been so surprised by the simple circumstances that have forced individuals into homeless situations, such as a lost job or a rent increase.

“So many of our guests have just had a bad shake,” Juan says. “All of a sudden they found themselves on the streets. I have been fascinated to learn about their life stories. It turns out that you start thinking of unhoused people as neighbors, not just ‘the other.’ They have a passion and a right to live in the neighborhood just as much as I do.”

Juan says these efforts go beyond providing a place to sleep or a meal — it’s being a face of Christ to others and loving people, even if we don’t know them personally.

“This is about answering God’s call to help those in need,” Juan says. “This has been an educational and spiritual growth experience. Christ has asked us to see Him in those in need.”

HART is run by volunteers, and there is only one part-time paid individual that acts as a navigator. This person goes to the streets to offer support, service referral, and a listening ear to those experiencing homelessness.

“The volunteers are so dedicated and so humble,” Juan says. “Doing this work has impacted my faith in a lot of wonderful ways.”

Carmichael HART is a nonprofit supported by faith communities, other nonprofits, businesses, agencies and individuals.

If you would like to support HART or to get involved, please contact Juan Yniguez at jcyniguez@att.net or 916-207-9512. Donations to HART can be made at carmichaelhart.org.