New funds for homeless in Imperial County, old gaps remain
Adrik Vargas
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Catholic Charities Day Center in El Centro is receiving just over $1 million in new funding aimed at expanding homeless services across Imperial County.
The money, approved by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, comes from a state grant and will support efforts like housing assistance, street outreach, and other basic services. But some local advocates say more needs to be done to reach people in rural areas who are often overlooked.
“County-wide means county-wide,” said Diahna Garcia-Ruiz, co-founder of Proyecto Heber, a nonprofit that supports community needs in the town of Heber. “These are county funds, use them all over the county.”
Garcia-Ruiz emphasized the lack of outreach in remote communities, where many unhoused residents aren’t aware of available services.
“No one really goes out there and looks for them,” she said.
Teresa, a local resident who once experienced homelessness, said the Day Center changed her life.
“They helped me find a place to live. Me and my daughter were homeless, but not anymore,” she shared.
She hopes the new funding will help the center reach more people like her, not just those currently on the streets, but those who are at risk.
“They help a lot here,” she said. “If they can help more people, that would be a blessing.”
As the Day Center looks to expand its impact, community leaders are calling for funding to prioritize transportation and rural outreach, to make sure no one is left behind.