First Presbyterian Church San Diego to join

First Presbyterian Church San Diego (FPCSD) invites congregants to participate in the 3rd Tuesday Fellowship, which will have a discussion panel on homelessness. (Photo taken from the church’s website)

Congregants of the First Presbyterian Church San Diego (FPCSD) are encouraged to participate in the 3rd Tuesday Fellowship, which has a discussion panel on homelessness on June 21 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The church announcement noted that Ben Montoya, the Chairman of the Board of Downtown Fellowship, would mediate the discussion. There would be a panel of experts in a talk on homelessness. Those who would join would listen to Crystal Carlson from the San Diego Rescue Mission and Raul Palomino from New Day Urban Ministries. Besides, John Savidge from Ladle Fellowship would also join the said discussion.

They informed congregants that they would provide lunch with a suggested donation of $5.

Spiritual, Social Renewal of San Diego

The San Diego Downtown Fellowship (DF) of Churches and Ministries is not a church nor a social initiative, Montoya said in an interview conducted by the FPCSD on its website.

He said that DF is an extension of the Church’s local mission and helps the church and its programs. It provides a pathway where churches and groups can work together in unity to serve their neighborhood. These groups are supported in their mission with prayer and tools.

Besides, Montoya noted that FPCSD already contributed a great deal of support to DF, and they were very thankful for it.

The church gives financial help. They also let the members of DF use their facilities for monthly meetings, board meetings, and staff meetings.

The website also noted that DF worked with the San Diego Rescue Mission and Downtown Partnership Clean & Safe before the pandemic. This partnership allows volunteers to clean up the city center of San Diego to bless their neighborhood.

Homelessness Increased in San Diego

KPBS news revealed that the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) released its 2022 WeAllCount Point-in-Time Count (PITC). It is a one-day study of the least number of people in San Diego living in emergency houses and transitional housing. They also surveyed people in safe havens, on streets, and along riverbeds.

The survey found that a minimum of 8,427 individuals suffer from homelessness all over San Diego County. They said these figures have increased by at least 10% since 2020.

RTFH stated that the struggle of finding every individual in a car, canyon, or under a bridge is impossible. Still, they gave all their efforts to looking and engaging with as many people as possible.

Meanwhile, the report also mentioned that this number included 4,106 San Diegans living in the streets, with another 4,321 people in shelters. Among those individuals, 85% stated they ended homelessness while staying in the region.

In February, the group conducted the PITC survey this year by over 1,400 volunteers all over the county.

The website said it was the first count since the beginning of 2020. This number was before the detrimental effects of the pandemic and the later rise in shelter options.

More importantly, RTFH emphasized that the same standard should not base differences between 2020 and 2022. Also, it should not be measured by the heavy rains the night before and the cold temperature in the morning.

Although they said, it might affect the number of individuals sleeping outside. The number still increased by three percent.