A poignant presentation on homelessness was delivered at the Fullerton City Council meeting, featuring insights from Dr. John Bruschke and Ms. Stephanie Jeffcoat, representatives from California State University, Fullerton. The duo is involved in a five-year ongoing research project aimed at addressing homelessness in our region.

Dr. John Bruschke stated, “Ms. Stephanie Jeffcoat and I are part of a research consortium at Cal State Fullerton, which includes representatives from three different colleges. This effort is overseen by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. It is an ongoing five-year project… I will let Ms. Jeffcoat introduce herself, and then I will discuss the research afterward.”

Ms. Stephanie Jeffcoat said, “Thank you for having us here tonight. I am a counselor, a Fullerton alum, and a Project Rebound alum. Six years ago, however, I was homeless, struggling with meth addiction, and trapped in a cycle of incarceration that seemed impossible to escape.

“For four years, I lived on the streets of Orange County, surviving day-to-day with no hope, no direction, and no belief that my life could ever change. I had lost everything—my children, my home, and my dignity. At my lowest point, I felt as though nothing would ever improve. But one morning, everything changed. As I woke up in the spot where I used to sleep, I found Anaheim Police Department officers standing there. Rather than offering judgment or handcuffs, they extended an unexpected offer of hope. Instead of arresting me, they connected me to a homeless shelter—a place where I could finally catch my breath and begin to envision a different future. That moment became my first step toward change. It provided me with stability, a roof over my head, and the opportunity to believe in my potential for more.”

“Determined to break the cycle I had been trapped in for over 19 years, I chose to fight for my future and reclaim my life. I enrolled in school and committed to rewriting my story. Today, I stand before you with five associate degrees from Fullerton College and a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton, and I will be starting law school this fall at Trinity University. I am also the founder and executive director of Families Inspiring Reentry and Reunification for Everyone, a nonprofit organization in Orange County dedicated to supporting those affected by the justice system and the child welfare system. This year, I am sponsoring three bills, two of which are authored by Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva, aimed at changing the child welfare system in California.”

“Through my work, I advocate for justice reform, family reunification, and reentry services, ensuring that no one has to endure what I experienced alone. I have learned that we are not defined by our past but by our actions moving forward. My journey from homelessness to law school is proof that redemption is possible. Second chances matter, and no one is beyond redemption. I am here today because of education, opportunity, and a community that believed in me. Now, I dedicate my life to offering the same support to others. May the transparency of my testimony foster compassion within you for those who are facing challenges similar to those I once encountered.”

Dr. John Bruschke stated, “Working together with the Cal State Fullerton Research Board and the Fullerton Police Department, Stephanie and I approached over 60 unhoused individuals in Fullerton to understand their awareness of available services and what they believed would be effective. Our research led to three main conclusions.

“First, we found that there was a very low awareness of the programs available to them. When we asked participants what services they utilized or what would be helpful, the most common response was, ‘I don’t even know where to start.’ However, we discovered that word of mouth among the unhoused community was effective. If a program proved beneficial for one person, that information typically spread throughout the community.

“Second, for those who are motivated—like Stephanie—to get off the streets, navigating the system can be incredibly challenging. The forms are complex, wait times are long, and documentation requirements often cannot be met. Additionally, the interviewers vary significantly in their communication abilities, with some struggling to communicate at all while others are articulate. Almost all of the individuals we spoke with had experienced trauma or hardship. We strongly caution against generalizing our unhoused citizens as being mentally ill, drug users, dangerous, or criminals. A common theme we observed is that many have cycled in and out of shelters and programs repeatedly, losing hope of escaping their circumstances. As a community, we cannot effectively respond to this issue without a proper understanding of the individuals we are trying to help. Oversimplified views of homelessness will hinder our knowledge and lead us further away from effective solutions.

“Finally, at our symposium, we gathered numerous experts, including the chair of the Orange County Council of Continuum of Care, the CEO of the Illumination Foundation, the executive director of Medicaid, and the executive director of the Orange County United Way. While not everyone who understands homelessness in Orange County was present, many who dedicate their careers to this issue participated. The experts unanimously agreed that the primary driver of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. All the efforts—whether related to shelters, transitional housing, substance abuse treatment, or job training—ultimately lead to the need for a permanent place to live, which is unfortunately lacking.

“In conclusion, I want to emphasize that our city is at its best when we treat the most vulnerable members of our community with compassion. Miss Jeffcoat’s life was transformed when a police officer approached her with empathy. I believe that, through compassionate choices, we will see fewer individuals on our streets and more stories like Miss Jeffcoat’s.”