Fallbrook Homeless Advocacy is in search of new transitional living house

The Fallbrook Homeless Advocacy is a nonprofit organization that was established by Brad Fox to serve the homeless population in Fallbrook and surrounding areas. This organization currently runs two different transitional houses for homeless men, the Jesus House and the Refuge House.

Fox has a long history of working with people in need. For many years, he has been leading the SonRise youth group on mission trips to Mexico and San Diego to assist homeless people. During one trip to Mexico, Fox noticed his students becoming more aware of the importance of helping homeless people.

"The students all wanted to learn about the homeless people in Mexico and how to help them," said Fox. "One student gave a homeless man a rose, then offered to give him a hug. He accepted the hug, and said that he hadn't been hugged in 25 years. This was extremely impactful, and we wanted to do more to help."

When he returned home, members of the community began asking him what he was doing in Fallbrook to fight homelessness.

"I was embarrassed because I hadn't done anything for the homeless community in Fallbrook," he said. "When they asked me what I had been doing, I took it as a charge from the Lord to make a change. This inspired me to start a homeless outreach program, then the transitional houses."

The Jesus House began serving homeless men in 2019. The residents of the Jesus House are all above the age of 60, and they work as volunteers throughout the community. Many of these residents are unable to work due to age or physical disabilities. The Jesus House allows residents to stay as long as they need in order to keep them from being homeless, some of them will remain living there for the rest of their lives. The Jesus House is overseen and maintained by Blaine and Bonnie Vice, along with more than six residents who live there.

The second transitional house is the Refuge House. Residents of the Refuge House are homeless men transitioning into working men living independently. This house began recently in 2020 because Fox noticed that a home was needed for the homeless men that were able to work. This prompted him to begin the Refuge House to provide these men with housing as they work towards finding employment and their own homes.

Each resident may stay in the house for six months to a year until they are ready to lead an independent lifestyle. Many of the Refuge House residents are working in the community as food service workers, painting contractors, and more.

The Refuge House is home to many formerly homeless men, including the house manager, Wayne "Kro" Jorgenson. Jorgenson is in charge of overseeing other residents and making sure that the other residents are taking care of themselves, going to work, and doing their household chores.

Jorgenson is 70 years old and he has been working with homeless people for many years. He was homeless himself for over three years, and this experience prompted him to try to help others during COVID-19.

Jorgenson said that having the opportunity to help others by being a leader in the Refuge House has transformed his life in the best way possible.

"In this house you learn to trust. There's so much loneliness and a lack of trust when you're homeless. Here, that changes," said Jorgenson. "We point these men in a new direction and show them a new way to live. Helping them has helped me too."

Jorgenson believes that one of the most important things the residents learn is structure. After living in unpredictable conditions, the men are able to have structure at home and at work which helps them to succeed. The accountability has also been beneficial; everyone in the house is regularly tested for drugs and alcohol, which encourages them to stay sober.

"Many of the people that come to the Refuge House are from rehabilitation centers, and their drug or alcohol usage has caused some damage in their lives," said Jorgenson. "This house gives them the opportunity to repair the damage and learn how to help themselves."

The Refuge House is currently being rented, however, the landlord is no longer able to provide the Fallbrook Homeless Advocacy with this house. The organization is now looking for a new house for the Refuge residents, they are in search of a 3-4 bedroom, 2 bathroom rental in Fallbrook.

"Addressing homelessness is a community effort," said Fox. "The men in the Refuge House are all transitioning from homelessness to independence, and they are in need of our support."

The community can assist the Fallbrook Homeless Advocacy by helping the organization to find a new house to rent, but there are also many other ways to get involved. The organization is looking for connections within the community, employment opportunities, professional counselors, support for homeless women, and more.

"Everyone can be a part of this," said Fox. "This affects the whole community, and everyone can help us address homelessness in the community."

For more information about helping the Fallbrook Homeless Advocacy, Fox can be reached at [email protected].