Access to power is often overlooked, yet for individuals experiencing homelessness, it’s a daily struggle that can mean the difference between connection and isolation. We’ve partnered with Harm Reduction Therapy again, to provide solar-powered solutions to those in need across San Francisco.
At both their drop-in center and mobile sites, Harm Reduction Therapy recently distributed our Chandler Chargers to help their clients overcome one of the most persistent barriers–staying connected.
Our partner’s shared testimonies and anecdotes shine a light on the difficulties of finding a stable charge for unhoused individuals, in addition to finding other basic needs.
Marsha Davison, an Associate Clinical Social Worker at Harm Reduction Therapy, shares:
“Being homeless in San Francisco means searching for places to bathe, searching for places to wash your clothes, and searching for places to charge your phone. A lot of people in the homeless community rely on their phones to access resources like shelter beds and case management, so a dead cell phone is a dead end and a barrier to accomplishing your goals.”
With San Francisco’s intensified sweeps and displacement, access to power has become even more restricted. One Harm Reduction Therapy client shared:
“I haven’t been able to find a place to fully charge my phone since the sweeps intensified, so I missed a couple of appointments because my phone keeps dying after a couple of hours. The solar chargers are a lifesaver.”
n today’s world, most support services require a phone or internet access. James, a Harm Reduction Therapy team member, explains:
“Many of the critical services our clients need can only be accessed via phone or online. This makes having an accessible source of power a huge help for our unhoused community.”
The ability to keep a phone charged may seem small, but for those living without stable shelter or resources, it provides a bridge to security, access, and opportunity for resilience. Through partnerships like this, we continue to work towards lighting the way for those in need.
Want to help make a difference? Donate to Unite to Light today and select “Homelessness” at checkout to support our work!
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