Attachment A
Wellness Center Quarterly Report
QUARTERLYREPORT
April - June
2025Planning Department -
Homelessness Solutions & Housing
WELLNESS CENTER
The journey from homelessness to housing reflects
profound resilience, characterized by numerous
struggles and small victories. Each day poses unique
challenges for individuals navigating the harsh realities of life on the streets, often feeling isolated in their fight for survival. The Wellness Center serves as a beacon of hope, striving to be more than just a shelter; we are
dedicated to holistic well-being.
This quarter has been particularly successful, with 42
individuals graduating into permanent housing
solutions, making it the most impactful period to date.
The Wellness Center has successfully integrated families onto the campus, already securing stable interim
housing for many families. The community garden
project has begun, incorporating renderings from a
Wellness Center client and collaborating with county
public health to promote wellness and sustainability.
Additionally, preparations are underway to begin the
City’s CDBG-funded vehicle grant program, and the
Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF-3) Motel Voucher
Program. Both programs empower clients to achieve
greater independence. The Wellness Center continues
to provide valuable insights into addressing
homelessness in the desert region, positioning itself as a model for other cities looking to improve their
continuum of care.
As spring comes to a close, the City is proud to reflect on the transformative growth and successes achieved
at the Wellness Center. A dedicated team, which
includes the Symba Center, and City staff, has worked
collaboratively to build on clients’ strengths, enabling a record number to transition to permanent housing
solutions.
2 OVERVI EW
3 L i l l i a n L .
A f t e r e x p e r i e n c i n g h o m e l e s s n e s s , L i l l i a n , h a s s e c u r e d s t a b l e h o u s i n g a n d a f r e s h s t a r t — t h a n k s t o h e r d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d t h e s u p p o r t o f t h e W e l l n e s s C e n t e r . L i l l i a n ’ s j o u r n e y h a s n ’ t b e e n e a s y . S h e f a c e d a s e r i e s o f c h a l l e n g e s . D e s p i t e t h e h a r d s h i p s , s h e r e m a i n e d h o p e f u l a n d w o r k e d c l o s e l y w i t h S y m b a o u t r e a c h w o r k e r s a n d h e r C a s e M a n a g e r w h o h e l p e d h e r g a i n a c c e s s t o v i t a l r e s o u r c e s a n d e v e n t u a l l y t r a n s i t i o n i n t o p e r m a n e n t h o u s i n g . L i l l i a n ’ s n e w h o m e r e p r e s e n t s m o r e t h a n j u s t f o u r w a l l s . I t ’ s a s y m b o l o f s a f e t y , d i g n i t y , a n d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e b u i l d . S h e n o w p l a n s t o f o c u s o n h e r h e a l t h , r e c o n n e c t w i t h l o v e d o n e s , a n d o n e d a y w a n t s t o a d v o c a t e f o r o t h e r s w h o a r e s t i l l u n h o u s e d .
D’Markus M.
After more than a year of living in shelters and on the streets, D’Markus, a man with a quiet strength and unwavering determination, has secured permanent housing. D’Markus’s path to stability was filled with obstacles.
Still, he never gave up. With the help of a local outreach team and the ERF-3 Rapid Rehousing Program, he was connected to supportive services that guided him step by step into an apartment in Adelanto.
D’Markus was able to earn his security guard card and Peer Support Specialist certificate while he was at the Wellness Center. Now settled in his apartment, D’Markus is focusing on rebuilding his life and seeking steady employment. His story is a testament to the power of second chances and the impact of the City of Victorville’s Wellness Center programs that meet people where they are.
CLI ENT
SUCCESSES
DEMOGRAPHICS
Whit e
3 7.9%
Hispanic/Multir acial
31 .6 %
Black , African American, or African
28 .7 %
Other
1 .8 %
Male
50 .4 %
F emale
48 .9%
T r ansg ender
0 .7 %
55+
36 %
25-44
33 .1 %
45-54
18 .4 %
Under 18
8 .8 %
* T A Y (18 -2 4)
3 .7 %
R a c e D a t a
A g e R a n g e
G e n d e r D a t a
4 * T A Y - t r a n s i t i o n a l - a g e d y o u t h April Ma y June
0 5
1 0
15 20
April Ma y June
0 1 0
20 30
40 50
60 INTAKES
HOUSING SOLUTIONS
AVERAGE
OCCUPANCY
5 42 Clients Housed
137 Intakes Completed
168
INTAKES AND
HOUSING
G A B B Y P E D R O Z A
6 EMPLOYEE
J O E Y M E D I N A
S p o tl i g h t
Joey Medina, a Code Enforcement Officer
assigned to the City's Homeless Engagement
Team, supports the Wellness Center and
Homeless Solutions division with outreach and
engagement of our unsheltered population. As a
member of the City's Homeless Engagement
Team, some of Joey's many tasks, are to provide
client centered case management while
outreaching, as well as providing resources and
referrals to all unhoused and eligible/suitable
potential participants to the Wellness Center. Joey
has recently trained and become fully integrated
with multiple homeless management information
and data entry systems.
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Gabriela for
her outstanding contributions to housing
navigation at the Wellness Center. Gabriela has
played a key role in securing at least four
successful housing program completions within
the past month alone, demonstrating her
commitment to person-centered care and
housing-first principles. Her consistent follow-
through, problem-solving skills, and deep rapport
with participants continue to open doors—both
literally and figuratively. In total, Gabriela has
supported 19 overall housing completions (and
counting) at the Wellness Center, helping
individuals transition from interim shelter to
stable, long-term housing. With several more
completions in progress for the coming weeks,
her impact continues to grow. We’re incredibly
grateful for her leadership, heart, and the hope
she brings to each participant’s journey.
COMMUNITY
G A R D E N
P l a n n i n g a n d i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e c o m m u n i t y g a r d e n a t t h e W e l l n e s s C e n t e r h a s p r o g r e s s e d w i t h s u p p o r t f r o m t h e C a l F r e s h H e a l t h y L i v i n g G r a n t , S a n B e r n a r d i n o C o u n t r y
D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c H e a l t h ,
N u t r i t i o n a n d W e l l n e s s S e r v i c e s ( S B C D P H N W S ) . T h r o u g h t h i s f u n d i n g , t h e W e l l n e s s C e n t e r r e c e i v e d
m a t e r i a l s f o r s i x s t a n d a r d w o o d e n g a r d e n b e d s a n d t w o A D A - c o m p l i a n t r a i s e d b e d s , a s w e l l a s s o i l ,
c o m p o n e n t s f o r t w o d r i p i r r i g a t i o n s y s t e m s , a n d e s s e n t i a l g a r d e n i n g t o o l s i n c l u d i n g s h o v e l s a n d h a n d t o o l s . A g a r d e n t o o l c a d d y a n d
a d d i t i o n a l s m a l l t o o l s h a v e a l s o b e e n p u r c h a s e d .
I n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a C o o p e r a t i v e E x t e n s i o n , S a n B e r n a r d i n o a n d t h e M a s t e r G a r d e n e r P r o g r a m , S B C D P H N W S , a n d t h e
M o j a v e D e s e r t R e s o u r c e C o n s e r v a t i o n D i s t r i c t , p r o j e c t p l a n n i n g m e e t i n g s h a v e t a k e n p l a c e t o f i n a l i z e n e x t s t e p s , i n c l u d i n g a d d i t i o n a l s o i l n e e d s , i r r i g a t i o n i n s t a l l a t i o n , a n d p l a n t / s e e d s e l e c t i o n . C o o r d i n a t i o n e f f o r t s c o n t i n u e t o e n s u r e t h e g a r d e n i s f u l l y i n t e g r a t e d i n t o t h e W e l l n e s s C e n t e r ’ s h o l i s t i c a p p r o a c h t o w e l l n e s s a n d r e c o v e r y .
7 LEGAL AID SERVICES
The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino continues to provide on-site legal services to individuals at the Wellness Center. As an organization serving over 19,000 low- income residents annually across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, Legal Aid Society plays a vital role in removing legal barriers that often contribute to or prolong homelessness. A paralegal is now available at the Wellness Center two days per week. Services offered include support with expungements, eviction defense, debt collection, and family law matters—ensuring clients receive critical legal assistance directly where they receive care and housing support.
H a v i n g t h e L e g a l A i d S o c i e t y o f S a n B e r n a r d i n o e m b e d d e d w i t h i n t h e s h e l t e r e n s u r e s c l i e n t s h a v e i m m e d i a t e a c c e s s t o l e g a l a s s i s t a n c e , h e l p i n g t h e m a d d r e s s b a r r i e r s s u c h a s i d e n t i t y d o c u m e n t r e p l a c e m e n t a n d u n l a w f u l e v i c t i o n s — a l l o f w h i c h c a n d e l a y h o u s i n g s t a b i l i t y .
O n - S i t e A c c e s s t o J u s t i c e
L e g a l s u p p o r t e m p o w e r s c l i e n t s t o a s s e r t t h e i r r i g h t s , n a v i g a t e c o m p l e x s y s t e m s , a n d r e s o l v e l e g a l i s s u e s t h a t o f t e n c o n t r i b u t e t o o r p r o l o n g h o m e l e s s n e s s , f o s t e r i n g g r e a t e r s e l f - s u f f i c i e n c y a n d c o n f i d e n c e i n r e b u i l d i n g t h e i r l i v e s .
E m p o w e r T h r o u g h A d v o c a c y
E m b e d d i n g l e g a l a i d w i t h i n a s h e l t e r e n v i r o n m e n t p r o m o t e s a h o l i s t i c , w r a p a r o u n d s e r v i c e a p p r o a c h — e n s u r i n g l e g a l s u p p o r t i s c o o r d i n a t e d w i t h c a s e m a n a g e m e n t , h o u s i n g n a v i g a t i o n , a n d b e h a v i o r a l h e a l t h s e r v i c e s t o a c c e l e r a t e c l i e n t s ’ p a t h s t o w a r d p e r m a n e n t h o u s i n g .
I n t e g r a t e d S e r v i c e M o d e l
26 On-Site Service Days
During this reporting period
8 R A P I D R E - H O U S I N G
Rapid Rehousing is a critical intervention designed to quickly connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness with permanent housing. In broad terms, rapid re-housing means helping someone move out of a shelter or off the streets and into their own home quickly by providing short-term rental assistance and supportive services like case management and housing navigation. It’s a practical, cost- effective solution that stabilizes lives and reduces the risk of long-term homelessness.
A n a l y z e n e e d s a n d o u t c o m e s t o g u i d e e x p a n s i o n a n d d e m o n s t r a t e i m p a c t . C u s t o m i z e s e r v i c e s t o m e e t t h e n e e d s o f s p e c i f i c p o p u l a t i o n s a n d c o m m u n i t i e s . E n s u r e S y m b a C e n t e r h a s a l l t h e t o o l s t o r e s o l v e t h e e x p e n s e s o f u n s h e l t e r e d p e o p l e l i v i n g i n e n c a m p m e n t a r e a s .
C i t y E f f o r t s
S y m b a C e n t e r ’ s t e a m h a s t a k e n p r o a c t i v e s t e p s t o b u i l d r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h l o c a l l a n d l o r d s , a c r i t i c a l c o m p o n e n t o f t h e R a p i d R e h o u s i n g m o d e l . B y s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e s e p a r t n e r s h i p s , t h e y a r e h e l p i n g t o e x p a n d t h e p o o l o f a v a i l a b l e h o u s i n g u n i t s a n d r e d u c e b a r r i e r s f o r c l i e n t s w i t h l i m i t e d r e n t a l h i s t o r y o r f i n a n c i a l c h a l l e n g e s .
H o u s i n g O p p o r t u n i t i e s
C o n t i n u e d i n v e s t m e n t i n R a p i d R e h o u s i n g i s e s s e n t i a l t o p r o v i d i n g t h o s e i n n e e d w i t h a c l e a r , s u p p o r t e d p a t h w a y t o h o u s i n g s t a b i l i t y a n d l o n g - t e r m i n d e p e n d e n c e .
C o n t i n u e d I n v e s t m e n t
9 E R F - 3
50 Participants Housed
ERF-3 MOTEL
VOUCHER PROGRAM
For cities addressing homelessness, motel vouchers are a critical tool. They provide flexible, immediate shelter options for those who might otherwise remain unsheltered, particularly in regions where shelter capacity is limited. By prioritizing dignity, safety, and rapid connection to services, Victorville’s ERF-3 Motel Voucher Program exemplifies a compassionate and strategic approach to addressing homelessness in real time.
T h e C i t y ’ s E R F - 3 M o t e l V o u c h e r P r o g r a m s e r v e s a s a c r i t i c a l s a f e t y n e t f o r i n d i v i d u a l s a n d f a m i l i e s u n a b l e t o a c c e s s t h e W e l l n e s s C e n t e r d u e t o s p a c e o r o t h e r b a r r i e r s , w i t h a f o c u s o n s e c u r i n g p e r m a n e n t h o u s i n g .
H i g h - N e e d S i t u a t i o n s
D u r i n g t h e w i n t e r m o n t h s , t h e p r o g r a m p r o v i d e d i m m e d i a t e s h e l t e r t o d o z e n s o f p e o p l e , w h i l e a l s o l i n k i n g t h e m t o c a s e m a n a g e m e n t a n d h o u s i n g n a v i g a t i o n s e r v i c e s f o r c o n t i n u e d s u p p o r t .
S t a b i l i z e a n d S e r v i c e C o n n e c t i o n M a n y v o u c h e r r e c i p i e n t s h a v e s i n c e t r a n s i t i o n e d t o l o n g e r - t e r m h o u s i n g , d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e p r o g r a m ’ s v a l u e n o t j u s t a s a n e m e r g e n c y s o l u t i o n , b u t a s a k e y s t e p t o w a r d p e r m a n e n t s t a b i l i t y .
P a t h w a y t o H o u s i n g
39 Individuals
Sheltered
16 Transitioned
to positive
destinations
6 Families
assisted
10 C l i e n t e n g a g e m e n t i s e s s e n t i a l t o t h e W e l l n e s s C e n t e r ’ s
s u c c e s s , w i t h p e e r s u p p o r t s
p l a y i n g a c e n t r a l r o l e . T h e i r
l i v e d e x p e r i e n c e f o s t e r s t r u s t , b u i l d s c o n n e c t i o n , a n d
e m p o w e r s c l i e n t s t o a c t i v e l y
p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e i r o w n p a t h t o s t a b i l i t y a n d h e a l i n g .
DATA
HIGHLIGHTS
At the Wellness Center, the majority of chronically
homeless individuals enter without income and
struggle with co-occurring mental health and
substance use disorders.
36%
29%
48%
Have mental
health diagnosis Have a substance
use disorder
Chronically
homeless
59%
Entered with no
income
11 1 2
RESIDENT
C o u n c i l
The Resident Council at the Wellness Center serves as a collaborative space for individuals residing at the Wellness Center to share feedback, raise concerns, and actively participate in shaping their living environment. It promotes resident voice, peer leadership, and shared accountability, while also fostering a sense of community, empowerment, and mutual respect.
Through regular meetings and open dialogue, the council helps ensure that services remain responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the needs and experiences of those we serve
PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
S p o tl i g h t
S h o u t - o u t t o o u r i n c r e d i b l e P e e r S u p p o r t S p e c i a l i s t s f o r t he i r c o n t i n u e d c o m m i t m e n t t o f o s t e r i n g c o n n e c t i o n , s a f e t y , a n d e m p o w e r m e nt w i t hi n o u r w e l l ne s s a n d h o u s i n g p r o g r a m s ! O v e r t h e p a s t m o n t h , t h e t e a m h a s a c t i v e l y c o n t r i b u t e d t o :
P a r t i c i p a n t e n g a g e m e n t , p e e r - l e d s e r v i c e s r o o t e d i n s h a r e d e x p e r i e n c e , t r u s t - b u i l d i n g , a n d e m o t i o n a l s u p p o r t .
M o d e l i n g w e l l n e s s s t r a t e g i e s i n r e a l t i m e , i n c l u d i ng g r o u n d i n g t e c h n i q u e s , e f f e c t i v e c o m m u n i c a t i o n , a n d s e l f - a d v o c a c y p r a c t i c e s .
C o a c h i n g p a r t i c i p a n t s t h r o u g h d a i l y c ha l l e ng e s , p r o m o t i ng e m o t i o n a l r e g u l a t i o n , c o n f l i c t r e s o l u t i o n a n d s y s t e m n a v i g a t i o n , a nd i n d e p e nd e nt d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g .
I n c r e a s e d O n - s i t e d e - e s c a l a t i o n , p r o v i d i ng c a l m , t r a u m a - i nf o r m e d p r e s e n c e d u r i n g m o m e n t s o f t e n s i o n a n d s u p p o rt i n g t e a m r e s p o ns e t hr o u g h p e e r - c e n t e r e d c a r e .
T h e i r l e a d e r s h i p c o n t i n u e s t o r e f l e c t t he he a r t o f p e e r s u p p o r t — c o m p a s s i o n , d i g n i t y , a n d w a l k i n g a l o n g s i d e o t h e r s o n t h e i r p a t h t o s t a b i l i t y a n d he a l i ng .
OUR WELLNESS
JOURNEY CONTINUES
IN THE NEXT QUARTER WE PLAN TO WORK
TOWARD THE FOLLOWING MILESTONES:
INCREASING
RRH CAPACITY
COMMUNITY
FAIR
ERF-3 EXPANDED
MOTEL VOUCHER
PROGRAM
MEET WITH THE
GOVERNOR’S
OFFICE
13