Helping in the Park

Every Thursday night, as the sun sets, a group of people get together at the picnic tables in .

This group is made up of many different people from all walks of life, but one thing brings them all together: change.

For Campbell couple Kurt and Pati Steele, the change they want to see is in others' lives.

The two have been frequenting the park for more than a year now, helping out the homeless, or as they call them "friends without homes," with food, resources and a willing ear. They've also brought businesses and individuals close to the cause in as well.

The couple stop by once a week at to pick up a platter of piping hot enchiladas to serve at the park.

"I went there and asked one of the owners, Joseph, if he would think about a discount and he has given us dramatic discounts, sometimes even free," Steele says.

As the group began picking up steam, Steele says that a young person, who works at a local start-up but wishes to remain anonymous now pays for the weekly enchiladas.

"Joseph has been so big of heart with our ministry," Steel says. "He boxes it up and makes sure we have plenty of plates. Jalisco has been part of this journey, a part of this community. It’s been an amazing relationship. I have utmost respect for this business. You could just tell that the culture in that family is of giving back to the community."

The community support doesn't end there. Steele says that "Paul," who works at the automotive mechanic place across from Campbell Park also does his part to help.

"He gets day-old bread and gives it to the homeless," Steele says. "He also had concern for Raymond and the others. He’s an amazing guy, an amazing heart. He’s consistent."

But before this now bi-weekly gathering between the people who live and frequent the streets and a group of about 10 volunteers from various local churches, it all began with a man who simply goes by the name of "Raymond" and the Steele's prayer circle.

"He came into our lives and we told him where we lived and he showed up," Kurt Steele says. "He said there were so many other people. We call them friends without homes."

Raymond would come by every week and others soon joined him. The couple decided to move the meeting place to Campbell Park last year.

"We wanted to take part of completely changing their lives," Steele says. "We weren’t content with just feeding them but putting them back into society."

As of yet, the couple has helped to successfully get three individuals, including Raymond, off the street and into homes and in regular jobs.

"Raymond is no longer homeless," he says. "A lady that was living out of her car has a job and we helped her get into an apartment in San Jose. And one young gentleman who was living on the streets is now in a home as well."

Steele's wife, Pati spends most her time making phone calls to various county offices, non profit organizations and groups that offer help to the homeless, and connecting them to the appropriate "friend without a home."

"We weren’t content with just feeding them but putting them back into society," Kurt Steele says. "My wife has been an amazing person."

The work that it takes to make sure everyone receives the appropriate help isn't easy, Pati Steele says.

"They can’t do it without help," she says. "Having someone being an advocate, supporting them, making phone calls, that's what they need."

Many times, the numbers she has no longer work, reroute her to another person or she simply does not receive any call backs.

"It’s been quite the journey," Steele says.