Stories from the Rotational Shelter

The Rotational Shelter Program is a bridge. The program provides a safe, middle space while individuals and families move from one housing situation to another. The goal is to prevent people from living in unsafe conditions and to divert people from the experience of chronic homelessness. Shelter guests are eager to find stable housing and, often, understandably, want to move on from this period of their life once they've found new footing. While we learn the data points about guests' disposition after the shelter, we do not regularly hear the stories.

Here are two stories from shelter guests who made their way to the other side of the bridge. These stories come the compassionate and hands-on volunteers at College Avenue Church and Christ Presbyterian Church. These congregations have been serving the unhoused for many, many years.  The stories are shared with permission.

A new volunteer at College Avenue Church shared, "January 2026 is when I first experienced the Interfaith program through College Ave Church. My life group signed up to bring dinner the first night of the 2 weeks stay. I thought it sounded like an amazing program, so I brought dessert and drinks and stayed to hang out with the participants. I specifically spent time with Daniela and Austin, a single Mom and her 8-month-old son. I could tell through talking to her that she needed a woman to talk to and support as a mother." Throughout the course of her stay in the shelter, College Avenue Church was able to help Daniela obtain supplies for her child and her baby, due in June. When the family was sick, ISN and College Avenue Church teamed up to make sure the family had the space and care needed to recover. Daniela and her son were offered housing with Interfaith Community Services in Escondido, so the new volunteer stepped up. "I helped her move from the San Diego area up to Escondido since they don’t have a vehicle...The ISN program is an amazing way to partner with churches to reach a community massively in need."



At Christ Presbyterian, a full-circle moment took place not long ago.