Story and photographs by Peter Weinberger | pweinberger@claremont-courier.com

It’s still hard to imagine that in a country as rich as the United States, we struggle to better solve a growing homeless problem. How can we fail to help an individual like the person photographed above? Homelessness is not a one-size fits all problem. Certainly there’s something more we can do as residents of Claremont, living in Los Angeles County, in the progressive state of California.

Our goal in this special report is to use the power of photography to show how people without homes live day to day. It’s a hard existence and a struggle to take care of simple needs. And in many cases, these individuals still wonder how it all happened. The people seeking social services are not shy about telling their stories. Usually it involves losing a job, or roommate to help pay rent, price increases, personal or family drug or alcohol issues, or health problems, including mental illness.

Just about everyone on the street will tell you there are many people who are one paycheck away from losing their home. Because of unforeseen circumstances, or just bad luck, they find themselves homeless. This is the reality for about 38 million Americans today.

Results from last year’s 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count revealed there are roughly 75,518 unhoused people living in Los Angeles County on any given night, a 9% increase from 2022. Aproximately 5,009 persons were counted residing in the San Gabriel Valley, including Claremont.

The good news is that homelessness in Los Angeles County is actually down 5.1% from 2023 to 2024. Reasons include more shelters being built countywide, and programs being developed to prevent people from falling back into homelessness.

Unhoused for several years, this woman walks to her appointments for the day. She carries most, if not all of her belongings with her, including the bottles and cans she collects for cash along Towne Avenue. She spends most of her time in Claremont and Pomona.

John gets around town on his bike, which carries most of his belongings. He says it’s difficult to keep his stuff from getting stolen even when locked up. John was in the small mall at the corner of Indian Hill Boulevard and San Jose Avenue in Claremont to finish errands. He uses his bike to move around several cities and is critical to his quality of life.

An unhoused man set up camp in a fenced field near the 210 Freeway. Finding a spot for the night is a high priority. After months of sleeping at this area, he moved on from this location.

Some of the unhoused people who sleep in Claremont on a regular basis are particular about cleaning up after night’s stay. Several also regularly sweep and pick up trash around the depot area.

Theresa spends several hours during the evening waiting for donations from passing drivers at Towne Avenue and Arrow Highway. She said it’s the quickest way for her to get money for food. Theresa says she is unable to hold a job due to health issues.

Church reaches out

Twice every week, a small group of unhoused individuals begin to gather before 8 a.m. at Claremont’s St. Ambrose Church. One morning, several cars, two vans, and a small towed trailer, were in the parking lot before opening. These are homes for local unhoused residents who don’t miss a chance for a shower and breakfast as part of the church’s shower program.

Once inside the main auditorium, a list of first names is prominently displayed. People sign in and wait their turns. Coffee and food await, some cooked in the church kitchen, some donated by staff, volunteers and church members. About 40 to 45 people use the facilities to get off the streets and out of the heat or cold, knowing they have a safe place to hang out for a few hours.

Twice each week, local unhoused individuals go to St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Claremont for a hot meal, conversation and a shower. The program closed for the pandemic and started up again in September 2021. Dozens of people will venture in and out of the church’s auditorium to beat the heat and relax for part of the day. The church also distributes clothes to those in need.

Mindy makes it a regular habit to stop at the St. Ambrose Church each Tuesday and Friday for warm food, conversion and a shower offered to those in need. Church staff were quick to comment how helpful she is. Mindy lives in La Verne, Pomona and Claremont.

Bonnie has a positive attitude despite having come upon hard times. Wheelchair-bound after being injured in a motor vehicle accident two years ago, she uses public transportation such as Get About for her medical appointments. She is a regular at the St. Ambrose Shower Ministry, she says, because of how the staff treats everyone.

“Fabulous program. Been coming here for 18 months,” said Mindy from Claremont, Pomona and La Verne. “At first they made me feel at home when I was still in shock from the situation I was in.” Mindy attends every week and helps out serving others, acts that are highly appreciated by the church staff.

According to Anne Powell, the director of the program, the St. Ambrose Shower Ministry started several years ago but was forced to close down due to the pandemic. The program reopened in 2021 to serve a steady stream of people in need. All program guests are unhoused, so the goal is to provide basic necessities.

The church program runs solely on the generosity of others, so donations are always appreciated. Clothing can be taken to the church Monday through Friday. They also want to add a second shower to serve more people. If you are interested in donating, visit stambroseclaremont.org.

For more information on homelessness in and around Los Angeles County, check out these links.

The Los Angeles County Coordinated Entry System
Hope for Home Shelter
Foothill Family Shelter
House of Ruth
Inland Valley Hope Partners – Our House Shelter