Dynamic schedule of events and educational opportunities from November 12th–20th
Orange County, Calif. (November 9, 2022) – United to End Homelessness, an initiative empowered by Orange County United Way, will continue its ongoing efforts to raise awareness and draw attention to the issue of homelessness in Orange County with a host of events and activities planned with more than 26 partner organizations across the county during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which takes place from Saturday, November 12 through Sunday, November 20, 2022.
This year’s theme invites individuals to reflect on the following question: What Do You Think – Is Housing a Human Right? The topic will be explored at a variety of in-person and virtual discussions, and advocacy opportunities throughout the week.
“We welcome the opportunity to further engage with community members and bring greater awareness and increased support for those in our community experiencing homelessness,” said Becks Heyhoe, Executive Director of United to End Homelessness. “This year’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week activities create new avenues for conversation, collaboration and innovation amongst the community so that together, we can help end homelessness in Orange County.”
The following free events and activities are open to participation from the public:
Community Events
Join the conversation by attending any of the in-person and online events and discussions with prominent leaders about various topics related to homelessness in Orange County.
- State of Homelessness Address
- Monday, November 14, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Location: First United Methodist Church, 420 West 19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- Local leaders and homelessness advocates will convene for the second annual State of Homelessness Address hosted by United to End Homelessness. Hear from key community leaders as they share the progress and challenges Orange County has faced in 2022.
- Confirmed speakers include:
- Douglas Becht, Director of the Office of Care Coordination at the Orange County Health Care Agency
- Maricela Rios-Faust, Chair of the OC Continuum of Care Board and Chief Executive Officer of Human Options
- Elizabeth Casillas, Member of the OC Continuum of Care Lived Experience Advisory Committee and Board Member of American Family Housing
- There will also be recorded remarks from:
- Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva
- Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor, Chair of the Commission to End Homelessness and Chairman to the Orange County Board of Supervisors
- Is Housing a Human Right? Virtual Discussion
- Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Hear from prominent faith, health, and housing leaders about the role that housing plays in their sector during this insightful discussion.
- Hosted by Becks Heyhoe, Executive Director of United to End Homelessness
- Confirmed speakers include:
- Christy Wimber, author, international speaker, and former senior pastor
- Zoe R. F. Freggens, ORISE Fellow for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s Office of Minority Health & Health Equity
- Jon Gould, Dean of UCI’s School of Social Ecology
- Register here
- Coffee Talk Series: Is Housing a Human Right?
- Connect with your neighbors over a free cup of coffee or tea to discuss the role of housing in our communities and share what “housing as a human right” means to you.
- Central Orange County
- Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Artisan by 7 Leaves and Crema Bakery, 10065 Garfield Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
- Register here
- North Orange County
- Friday, November 18, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Pilgrim’s Coffeehouse, 124 West Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832
- Register here
- South Orange County
- Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Ziggi’s Coffee, 27525 Puerta Real, Suite 500, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
- Register here
- United to End Homelessness’ Faith Leaders Council
- Sunday, November 20, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Arvida Book Co., 115 W Main Street, Tustin, CA 92780
- Register here
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Civic Engagement
Engage with your local elected leaders and share your thoughts on housing as a human right by attending your local city council meeting during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. United to End Homelessness is organizing groups of people countywide to participate in public comment and start this conversation with their City Council members.
- Date varies by city between November 14 – 16
- To learn more and register for information about your city’s meeting, visit the event page.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Social Media Campaign
This year’s social media campaign follows the theme, “What Do You Think – Is Housing a Human Right?” Businesses, organizations, faith communities and individuals are all invited to use the kit to start this important discussion with your networks. On your own social media platforms, you’ll be able to start a conversation between your friends, families, and coworkers about how they view housing, and give them the opportunity to pause and reflect. Sign up here to receive the social media kit. socialpresskit.com/u2eh
Homelessness & Housing Advocacy 101: All-in-One In-Person Training
Learn about homelessness in Orange County and how you can play a key role in solving this issue. This online class is offered monthly throughout the year.
- Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Register here
For more information about Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, visit https://u2eh.to/hhaw.
For more information about United to End Homelessness, visit https://www.unitedtoendhomelessness.org/.
ABOUT UNITED TO END HOMELESSNESS
Launched in February 2018, United to End Homelessness is led by a diverse group of leaders from Orange County’s top business, philanthropic, governmental, faith-based and nonprofit organizations – all committed to ending homelessness in our community. Our work is grounded in bringing the recommendations of the 2017 UC Irvine study “Homelessness in Orange County: The Costs to Our Community” to life, with Orange County United Way serving as the backbone of this new collaborative effort. Together we are working to bring the issue of homelessness to the forefront of the community’s collective discussion and create civic engagement that will lead to meaningful and lasting results. Together we can and we will #EndHomelessnessOC. For more information, please visit www.unitedtoendhomelessness.org.
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Media Contact: Heidi Pallares, [email protected], (949) 285-7278
