One Starfish is built on the belief that healthcare, dignity, and housing are human rights. We aim to support the unhoused men, women, and families of Monterey County on their journey back into traditional, permanent housing by providing a safe place to sleep and tailored case management to identify and fill the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.
The One Starfish Safe Parking Program is in its tenth year of operation, serving unhoused women living in their cars. We work with local churches to provide a safe place to sleep, and case management to support them on their journey into permanent housing.
The Monterey County Safe Parking Program is in its sixth year of operation. Modeled after the One Starfish Program, we work with the MCDSS to support individuals of all walks of life in their journey to permanent housing.
The MPUSD Safe Parking Program is entering its second year in operation, serving families with children enrolled in MPUSD schools. Following our tried and true model, this program expands the scope of our work to support families with children in school, providing financial assistance, stability, and support in their journey back into permanent housing.
One Starfish currently serves over 75 individuals at any given time.
During our time in the safe parking program, my family and I were at our lowest. We were facing a perfect storm: having a new child, losing our jobs, facing an intimidating medical diagnosis, and our rent increasing. We were a family of five, and we were living in a minivan. During our time in the program, we were met with such unwavering support, kindness, and compassion. When we felt the hope of the situation slipping away in our most desperate times, we never had to feel alone. With One Starfish's help, we were able to keep pushing though the muck and find the light at the end of the tunnel. Now our family is back in a house that we've been able to call home for over a year. Our darkest hour is now solidly in the rear view, in no small part because of One Starfish's assistance.
- Richard M
