Dignity Day Empowers Vallejo’s Unsheltered Community with Care

The biannual Dignity Day event in Vallejo provided essential services and support to the unsheltered community, attracting 96 attendees on Saturday at the Solano Dream Center. Organized by Dr. Michael Hester, the event aimed to foster a sense of community through the core principles of listen, love, and learn. Participants received clothing, hygiene supplies, haircuts, and even solar-powered backpacks, all designed to help them feel valued and refreshed.

As of 13:00, attendees had already begun to experience the impact of the event. Dr. Hester, who founded Dignity Day in 2021, expressed satisfaction in knowing that even a single day’s efforts could lead to positive changes. “Everyone is excited to get new clothes, backpacks, all these supplies,” he stated. “I feel great knowing that I’m fulfilling the will of God and that I’m seeing so many smiles on people’s faces. It’s only for a day, but it’s a day of impact. I love seeing the beginning of a transformation.”

Feedback from attendees like John Garcia reflected the day’s success. Garcia, who left with a new haircut and an overflowing bag of supplies, enthusiastically remarked, “What did I like the best about this event? Everything. Everything was here.” Another participant, Denise Bouwsma, particularly valued the opportunity to take a shower and receive new shoes. “This event is great. Everyone is so nice. I’ve been to every one since they started doing it,” she shared.

Volunteers played a crucial role in the event’s success. Karen Banks, who managed the shower facility, noted the transformations she witnessed. “Everyone keeps coming out of the shower feeling like a new person,” she said. “They tell me ‘thank you’ and ‘God bless you.’” Another volunteer, Paula Vargas, distributed clothing and hygiene supplies, emphasizing the importance of community support. “It’s a blessing. We’re able to bless these people. We’re no better than they are. We are all God’s people.”

This year’s Dignity Day introduced a salon offering facials, which proved to be a popular draw. Lillianna Brown, a 13-year-old volunteer, assisted in providing this service, showcasing the event’s commitment to holistic care for attendees.

Planning for Dignity Day typically begins three months in advance, with Dr. Hester noting that community involvement has increased over the years. Many attendees arrived as early as 09:00, eager to participate in the event that officially began at 09:30.

Despite these efforts, the issue of homelessness in Vallejo remains pressing. According to Solano County’s 2024 Point in Time homeless count, the number of unhoused individuals in Vallejo has surged by 50 percent since 2022, with a total of 682 people experiencing homelessness at some point in 2024. The Bay Area as a whole saw a 6 percent increase in homelessness in 2024, while the national figure rose by 18 percent.

Progress has been made, notably with the Blue Oak Landing Project, a permanent supportive housing initiative that has been fully occupied since June 2023. Additionally, the long-awaited Broadway Project, a 125-bed Navigation Center, opened in June after numerous delays and is equipped with essential wraparound services such as case management and health care. However, the Broadway Project has faced significant budget overruns, climbing from an initial estimate of $9 million to approximately $27 million, with a former mayor labeling it “a financial catastrophe.”

Another critical concern is the frequency of encampment sweeps in Vallejo, often referred to as “Whac-A-Mole.” Dr. Hester emphasized the negative impact of these sweeps, which displace individuals without providing alternatives. “Sweeps are disrupting the lives of people that have already seen their lives disrupted multiple times,” he explained. “They lose any pride that they already had and it’s as if they are being dehumanized. We can solve this problem though. But rather than bring a solution to the table, some just want to make the problem worse.”

As the community continues to address these challenges, plans for the next Dignity Day are already underway, with the event likely to take place on the second Saturday in April. Service providers assisting on Saturday included the Fighting Back Partnership, Lighthouse Covenant Fellowship Church, and various health and social services organizations, all dedicated to supporting the unsheltered population in Vallejo.