Oren is 75 years old. I first met him a few years ago when he was working part-time as a Case Aide for our I-HELP Shelter. Prior to his employment with TCAA, he had been a participant in the I-HELP program.
Everyone loves Oren. He has the presence of a grandfather you just want to hug. He’s a gentle person—always offering a warm smile and a good story. His soft voice commands attention. I always enjoyed listening to his stories from his days in law enforcement.
Oren re-entered our I-HELP Shelter in early 2025 after facing eviction from his apartment due to health code violations. It quickly became clear that Oren was experiencing memory decline. He appeared frail and was not taking care of his nutritional needs. During intake, we learned that he hadn’t received his SSI benefits in nearly a year. He had also lost his vehicle after falling victim to a scam.
In our I-HELP Shelter, Oren once again found a safe place to sleep, hot meals, showers, laundry facilities—and Bob, a Case Manager who genuinely cared.
Bob connected Oren to the health care he needed, including appointments with a neurologist and other specialists to assess and treat his cognitive and physical health. This also helped Bob determine the type of housing support Oren would need going forward.
Our staff was able to help Oren obtain a new SSI card, restoring access to his benefits. In the process, they made an amazing discovery: Oren had $24,000 in his SSI account.
Despite the support he was receiving, Oren’s health continued to decline during his short stay in the shelter. Bob realized that Oren needed more than I-HELP could provide.
Thanks to Bob’s advocacy, Oren was accepted into a program designed specifically for seniors. This program connects him to a community of his peers, helping to combat isolation, and is assisting him in his next step—permanent housing.
Because of the generous support of our community, Oren is safe, receiving the healthcare he needs, and will soon have a home to call his own again.
