Donate to help the homeless in San Diego, CA

Hi, my name is Felesa Averitte, and I’m asking for your help for our homeless citizens in San Diego, California.

I moved to San Diego on May 19, 2022, from Indianapolis, Indiana (where I was a court reporter for 23) to work with the homeless (initially homeless veterans and homeless women with children).

As I talk to the people, I've heard such stories as a brother and sister named Samantha and Marty, who are homeless. Samantha lives in an underpass on Grape Street and performs with Jack Thiel, a fellow musician, several times a week. Marty, her brother, is a veteran who has terminal cancer.

Marty says he'd like to continue his treatment and get off the streets but hasn't yet given up drugs.

There are facilities downtown that help the homeless, but we need more. Mr. Wilkens says there's talk of making the old library across the street from the post office a homeless shelter in the future. One day soon, I'd like to create 3D printed houses communities for the homeless to give them a sense of pride in having their own homes.

When I went out for my initial outreach, a young man said, "Who gives out cookies and condiments?" I had packaged toiletries that I'd accumulated, napkins, condiments, tortilla chips and cookies that I had planned to throw out when I went to visit my mother in Indiana in July.

I wanted to say something to him, but when I opened my mouth, all I could say was, "I have to get more help if I'm going to do anything to scratch the surface of this problem in downtown San Diego." I realized that I needed additional help.

One highlight of my initiative was when Mr. Bernard told me that he and his dog were moving off the streets. When I first met Mr. Bernard, his dog barked at me when I was close to Mr. Bernard. I told him that his baby was looking out for 'snacks'. That's what my brother, Michael, used to call me when talking about my babies. God bless you both!

I plan to start a 501(c)3 and call it Averitte House. I want to do an initiative in every state, and after I pass, have someone do this initiative all over the world, as I'm sure the United States isn't the only country with homeless citizens.

But, in the meantime, I’ve used my funds to buy toiletries, food and water to give to the homeless in downtown San Diego. I realized that I need more money to serve more people, and I’m asking for your help with this initiative.

A 40-bottle case of water at Costco costs $6.49. A skid of 48 cases costs $311.52 and will serve 1,920 citizens.

Some use the water for personal hygiene as well as personal consumption. I dream of having facilities for showering, eating and socializing one day.

I’d also like to buy underwear, socks, T-shirts, toiletries, dog food, cat food, sanitary napkins, blankets and tents.

My long-term goal is to start a nonprofit and provide housing, mental health treatment, drug treatment, employment support and social services for our homeless.

But until then, would you please donate whatever you can to help? I want to raise $10,000.

Thanks so much!!!