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December 17th, 2024 To Whom This Concerns, First thing to acknowledge is that “people” are complex and there is not one choice that determines the status of someone’s life. Is it a lifetime of experiences, circumstances, environment, choices, and thousands of other factors that culminate in a person’s life situation. As a result, there is no “One Answer” or “One Solution” that can fix the multifaceted situation of a person’s life. At Providence, our Core Values and Mission are interwoven into the very fabric of this organization. Our Core Values are Compassion, Dignity, Justice, Integrity, and Excellence. Our Core Values serve as the guiding light to our Mission as we strive to prov ide healthcare to the underserved and vulnerable. We support the proposed ordinance as an important step toward creating safe, clean, and accessible public spaces for all community members, including our patients and caregivers, while addressing the complexities of homelessness with dignity, compassion, and integrity. The City of Santa Ana has demonstrated its commitment to care by establishing a multidisciplinary program that connects individuals to critical resources such as mental health care, medical treatment, and other essential services. Additionally, the city’s homeless shelter provides a comprehensive and compassionate solution, offering beds, showers, bathrooms, meals, and even outdoor accommodations for pets. To ensure accessibility, the city also provides transportation to the shelter, lowering barriers for individuals in need. For those who choose not to utilize these resources due to personal decisions, the ordinance allows authorities to intervene in a dignified and respectful manner, ensuring these individuals receive some form of shelter and care. At the same time, it addresses the growing concerns of residents, businesses, and patients by creating a safer and cleaner environment in public spaces, allowing everyone to go about their lives without fear or discomfort. By balancing enforcement with compassionate care, this ordinance represents good first step in a holistic approach to tackling homelessness. We encourage the city to continue investing in robust social services and programs, fostering a just and inclusive community where all individuals have the opportunity to achieve health, safety, and well-being. Thank you, Jason Cashio Senior Operations Manager, Santa Ana Providence St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group