Tom, a 63-year-old retired mixed martial arts competitor, lived a life full of intense competition, pain, and resilience. His devotion to the sport, however, came with a cost. Tom now lives with debilitating pain from multiple injuries sustained throughout his career. He suffers from congestive heart failure, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. To top it all off, Tom also suffers from a pathological dislocation of his shoulder, leaving him physically unable to work and homeless. Tom was on the brink of giving up.
That’s when Tom was referred to Neighborhood’s Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program, where he began working with Tina, a Clinical Health Worker. Tom was skeptical about the help he might receive. He refused a shelter referral and instead chose to sleep in a utility closet at a friend’s business. Despite Tom’s initial reluctance, Tina and the Neighborhood ECM team remained committed to his well-being.
Even when surgery for his hip was discussed, Tom initially declined any coordinated recovery services. He was simply too discouraged to believe things could get better. Tina wasn’t ready to give up, though. After a lot of persistence, conversations, and compassion, Tom finally agreed and entered a recuperative care setting. From mobile physical therapy to home health services and delivery of medications, the team surrounded Tom with support—visiting him multiple times during his recovery. Less than a year later, Tom continues to heal well. His pain levels have decreased significantly, and his mood has improved dramatically. In fact, Tom’s PHQ score—an instrument used to measure depression— has dropped from double digits to zero, a remarkable improvement. He even started writing again, finding solace and purpose through his pen. Best of all, Tom has returned to his beloved beach, finding peace once again.
Tom’s story is inspiring but not unique. In San Diego, homelessness is a growing issue, with the county’s Point in Time count revealing that more than 10,600 people were experiencing homelessness in 2024—an increase of 3% from the previous year. Many of these individuals, like Tom, are struggling to navigate life with complex medical, mental health, and social needs. Without the support of programs like ECM and compassionate staff, their journey to healing can feel impossible. Together, we can continue to provide hope and healing to those facing immense challenges. Your support changes lives—just like Tom’s.