Advice From A Client Who Has “Been There”

At The United Effort Organization, we believe the people we serve should help shape the work we do. 

Sometimes that happens through our Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB). Other times, it happens through a conversation with a client, a quick survey, or simply asking, “What do you think?”

Recently, we asked August, a former UEO client and LEAB member (who is choosing a pseudonym), what advice he would give someone experiencing homelessness today—someone walking the path he once walked.

While today August is housed and working, his journey gives him a perspective that is relevant to people experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County. We have added a few observations and resources from UEO as well.

1. Keep your belongings to a minimum.

When you're living without a home, everything you own becomes something you have to carry, protect, or find a place for.

August recommends keeping only what you truly need (or what has significant financial or sentimental value). Volunteers at UEO add that “storage fees can quickly consume limited savings, so consider carefully whether the cost is worth it”.

2. Find a reliable place where you can shower, use a restroom, and get some daytime respite.

A gym membership can provide access to showers, restrooms, and a safe place to spend some time during the day. Some Medi-Cal health insurance plans even provide free or discounted gym memberships.

TIP: If you use a gym locker, make sure you take your belongings with you before the gym closes, or it might be tossed out.

UEO connects people with community resources for showers, laundry, and other basic needs.

3. Take care of your hygiene—and get enough rest.

This may sound simple, but August emphasized how important it is. "People will judge you by your appearance alone," he says.

Having access to a shower, clean clothes, and a place to rest can make a significant difference—not just in how others perceive you, but in how you feel about yourself and how prepared you are for a job interview, appointment, or other opportunity.

4. Don't let other people's behavior derail you.

August has experienced his share of disrespect and what he describes as microaggressions. His advice? “Don't let someone else's behavior determine your future.”

As he puts it, "It's never worth going to jail." Often walking away is the strongest response.

5. Avoid toxic relationships.

When you're vulnerable, relationships can become complicated.

August's advice is straightforward: "Pay attention to who is helping you move forward—and who is pulling you backward.” Protecting your safety and your future sometimes means creating distance from people who aren't good for you.

6. Stay aware and protect your important documents.

August’s advice: “Be aware of your surroundings and take extra care with your ID and other important documents”.  Your ID, Social Security card, birth certificate, immigration documents, and other paperwork can be extremely difficult to replace—and losing them can make it much harder to access housing, employment, benefits, and other services. 

TIP: Keep important documents protected and with you whenever possible.

UEO can help people replace lost IDs and documents - but it takes time.

7. Take advantage of free meals—and remember that food is about more than food.

"When I lived in my vehicle, I spent a lot of money buying food," August remembers. "I now know there are more resources and community barbecues. Go!"

His advice is simple: “Take advantage of every legitimate food resource available”. Free meals can stretch limited resources, but they can also provide something just as important—”They provide a welcoming place to connect with other people and feel part of a community.”

August also encourages organizations to offer regular community meals and barbecues. Having a meaningful meal and something positive to look forward to can make a real difference in someone's morale when they're experiencing homelessness.

A meal can nourish more than the body. It can offer comfort, dignity, connection, and hope.

His Advice—and His Example

We are grateful to August for continuing to share his experience and suggestions with UEO to help us better understand what people experiencing homelessness need.

His advice isn't always easy to follow. When you're exhausted, hungry, worried about where you'll sleep, or simply trying to make it through another day, even seemingly simple things can be difficult.

That's why listening matters.

People who have experienced homelessness understand things that the rest of us cannot fully understand without walking that path ourselves. Their experiences help us improve our services, challenge our assumptions, and find better ways to support people toward their next step.

And August's own story is perhaps the most powerful advice of all: keep going.

Today, he has a job, an apartment, and a future he is continuing to build.

We're honored that August continues to help us—and others—along the way.