Good Samaritan, CHC, Crestwood Church, and the Weather Bring ‘Showers & Blessings’ To Santa Maria Homeless

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Multiple organizations—and a touch of unexpected weather—brought “Showers and blessings” to local residents experiencing homelessness in Santa Maria.

A few organizations are now independently congregating regularly to provide services to homeless residents.

Other charitable enterprises have begun recognizing the impact good samaritan’s regular outreach here in the salvation army parking lot off cook street has had, and have been joining them of their own accord.

Good Samaritan has been growing its outreach efforts to the homeless for nearly forty years.

“We have taken this corner from being a single trailer to having a whole team of volunteers that work with the community,” says Linda Black, who volunteers with Crestwood Church’s “Showers & Blessings” team.

When the Fire Department issued its red flag warning for parts of Santa Barbara County due to hot and dry conditions on Monday, Good Samaritan deployed its outreach teams under cooling protocol.

“Usually when we do our cooling outreach is when it's above 85 degrees,” says Jesus Cortes, an outreach staff member for Good Samaritan Shelter.

Thursday morning, skies remained gray after sunrise, and a light rain fell during the morning hours.

“Honestly, it hasn't really affected us that much on what we're doing,” says Cortes. “Regardless of the weather, we always go out and try to connect with our community members out there that need services.”

The non-profit brought bottled water, electrolytes, cooling blankets, aloe vera and sunscreen products to the homeless as always.

CHC Mobile Clinics was also there in an independent but coinciding effort to provide medical services.

“It just becomes a very good collaborative where we work independently, but at the same time together to help the same patient population,” says Jose Guzman, director of outreach services for Community Health Centers of the Central Coast.

And Crestwood Church’s ‘Showers And Blessings’ team were there as well.

“We sit there and man the trailer and provide showers,” says Black.

“I am one of the homeless, and, they’ve helped me out so much,” says Jimmy Lopez, who is currently experiencing homelessness in Santa Maria. “I volunteer. They take care of me.”

Separate teams from different entities collectively provided a myriad of essential services to unhoused residents in need.

Staff and clients say experiencing homelessness is uncomfortable, no matter what the weather is doing.

“I woke up this morning, I told my girlfriend it's going to rain,” says Lopez, laughing. “She goes, ‘no it's not.’ It rained.”

Good Samaritan staff says the organization’s overall outreach efforts to those experiencing homelessness occur on a daily basis, rain or shine.

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