Over the past four years, Illumination Foundation has seen an increase in vulnerable women referred to our programs, especially senior women and women fleeing domestic violence.

Clear links have been established between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), homelessness, poor health, and poor behavioral health outcomes. At Illumination Foundation, we clearly see the effects of unaddressed trauma playing out on children and adults experiencing homelessness.

People of color often receive a lower quality of care than their white counterparts—even when insurance and socioeconomic status, combined health problems, and other factors were taken into account.

Health equity and policy are critical elements of the homelessness crisis. This was one of many issues addressed at a consortium hosted by Illumination Foundation last year. Dr. Gary Painter, Director of USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation and Director of the Homeless Policy Research Institute, was asked to describe the state of our social safety net, or more narrowly, whether it can be said that we even have one anymore.

One way of addressing access inequities and a historical mistrust of the medical community as a whole by people of color is through a diverse healthcare workforce that mirrors an increasingly diverse patient population.

I recently presented at “Putting Care at the Center,” a conference sponsored by the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs. During one session, I was accompanied by a special guest. His name is Dale Stout, and he has been an Illumination Foundation client since February 2022. Dale has given his permission to share his story.

Illumination Foundation was pleased to host Michelle Baass, Director of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), at our Fullerton Recuperative Care/Medical Respite facility on August 23.