Dwindling Resources and Lack of Electricity Impact People Experiencing Homelessness: HRTC Is there to help!

Irina Alexander, Harm Reduction Therapy Center Therapist, with their mobile resource center.

It was a late night in December 2020 when Julie* (*name changed to protect her identity) snuck out of her home to escape a violent relationship. Having never slept on the streets before, she called her therapist at the Harm Reduction Therapy Center in San Francisco, CA for advice. They called all the shelters in the area but nothing was open at that time of night, and those that were had limited availability due to COVID-19 precautions. While Julie did have to spend one night on the streets, the therapist was able to give her a list of resources to contact the next day and a solar powered phone charger to make sure she had a working phone by the time she needed to make those calls. The next night, Julie was in a woman’s shelter thanks to her therapist and power for her phone.

The 2020 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to congress (pre-pandemic), reported a 2% increase in the homeless population of the US over the previous year and a 7% increase in people sleeping outdoors. While many urban areas have resources for people experiencing homelessness, they can be difficult to find without internet access and a charged mobile phone. This became increasingly problematic during COVID-19 shutdowns as public buildings like libraries and even coffee shops closed their doors, leaving people on the street with no access to electricity and dwindling resources. 
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Unite to Light provided over 3,000 of our Chandler Chargers to people experiencing homelessness across the US.  These simple solar powered battery banks offered a piece of stability to those struggling with uncomfortable unknowns everyday.  An integral part of this program was our distribution partners who are on the front lines helping people experiencing homelessness every day.  One of those partners was the Harm Reduction Therapy Center (HRTC), established to bring therapeutic services to the San Francisco homeless population. 

HRTC’s mobile therapy program meets clients where they are, literally. Mobile therapists connect with people who need help but don’t fit into traditional substance use treatment programs and mental health clinics. HRTC’s therapists are able to work with clients to address issues, establish goals, and create a realistic plan to achieve those goals. In this line of work, therapists try to maintain communication with their clients through continuous check ins. In many cases, our Chandler Chargers made that possible during COVID. Through our Buy One Give One donations and a private foundation grant, Unite to Light donated 175 Chandler Chargers to HRTC who then gifted them to those most in need of power for their phones.

Jason, a HRTC Therapist inside the mobile resource center and Zaychik, the HRTC therapy mascot.

In addition to Julia, there was also Mark*, an HRTC client experiencing homelessness. He had applied for a job during the pandemic and had a phone, but struggled to keep his phone charged. HRTC gifted him a Charger and he was able to answer his phone when an employer called to offer him a position. Now he’s had consistent work, thanks to being reachable.
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Every client had a similarly moving story and attested to the importance for themselves. Some even asked HRTC to help their friends!  One client said, “You guys are rad to still come out here--all the food places are closed where I used to go.  My therapist gave me a phone and charger last week when I was here so I could talk with her--do you think you have another for my friend?  He needs his phone for work, but there isn’t any place to charge it right now, ‘cause everything's closed.” 

HRTC Therapists engage with clients from diverse backgrounds who oftentimes have low trust in mental health services. With the help of the Chargers, HRTC is able to support clients’ basic needs, leading to longer-term therapeutic relationships. One therapist shared an experience where a client experienced a potential concussion. 911 was called and an ambulance showed up but the client decided not to go. They gave him a Charger so he could at least have a working phone if his symptoms got worse, which made everyone (including the client) feel much more at ease. Therapist Nancy Mullin said, “Thank you SO much! It’s a total engagement tool. I’ve had people thank me weeks later.” 

Access to electricity is something that we take for granted, especially in the United States. At Unite to Light, we are honored to partner with other organizations, like The Harm Reduction Therapy Center that are spreading light to our world through their important work and our Chandler Chargers.

Danielle and Jason, both HRTC Therapists getting ready for a fulfilling day meeting with clients and supporting them in their needs.