Local social service agency to create an online resource for those without a home

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Calexico Neighborhood House serves the Imperial Valley region, with a specific focus on the needs of low-income women and children.

However, the pandemic has forced the organization to find creative ways to uphold that mission.

Neighborhood House is also looking to create a tele-resource network for the homeless community. It will connect them to local providers of the supplies they need, such as food and clothing. 

“I always tell people its kind of like telehealth, if you will its the same concept,” Ricardo Ortega, Project Director.

Calexico Neighborhood House serves the Imperial Valley region, with a specific focus on the needs of low-income women and children

“So it's not like go make an appointment with somebody it’s more like we can connect you directly to that person you need help from,” said Ortega.

One of their outreach tactics is to contact the “opinion maker” that exists within the homeless community.

“There is a park they call it the first street park there is usually about maybe 15-20 homeless people there if we can identify within that 15-20 the information provider and then be able to work with that person and help those people around them,” he said.

Ortega says access to resources is still very limited even with all the technology. But something simple like this could be life-changing for those who need it most

“ There is a lot of needs everywhere you turn there are needs, needs with senior citizens, the people who are out of work, in term of needing food, money to pay bills everywhere you look there are needs. ”