Building Cross-Sector Collaboration Through Outreach

One of the most valuable outcomes of Catholic Charities Yolo-Solano’s outreach work this year has been the strengthening of partnerships across service sectors. While participating in an outreach event focused on serving unhoused neighbors, our CalFresh application assister not only provided on-the-spot benefit screenings but also sparked interest from other providers in attendance. Staff from Caminar, an organization offering behavioral health case management at a nearby affordable housing complex, observed our work and saw a natural alignment. They recognized that many of their clients could benefit from food assistance but often faced barriers navigating the application process on their own. Impressed by our mobile, low barrier approach, Caminar invited our team to begin offering CalFresh enrollment directly at their site.

This collaboration quickly took root. Our assister began tabling at the affordable housing complex in coordination with Caminar’s case managers, streamlining support and helping residents access much needed food benefits in a familiar setting. What began as a single outreach interaction has grown into a sustainable, cross-sector partnership that integrates food access into mental health and housing stability services.

This success highlights the value of being visible and responsive in the community. By embedding our services where people are already receiving support, we not only improved benefit access but also reinforced the ecosystem of care surrounding our most vulnerable neighbors. This collaboration advances holistic care approaches that are essential for the health and well-being of our community