Meet Anna: Living Rough on the Banks of the Sacramento River in Colusa

Along the banks of the Sacramento River, tucked away in a tent amidst a cold and weather-beaten encampment, lives "Anna," a woman in her 30s battling homelessness while striving to maintain her sobriety in Colusa.

"Anna" is a justice-involved recovering addict who is part of the Colusa County Probation Department's relapse prevention program. She's also a testament to the complex challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, especially when coupled with the need for recovery.

As someone in long-term recovery who overcame homelessness when I was newly sober with the help of a local social worker named Griselda, I know firsthand that stable housing is essential for lasting recovery. For women like "Anna," whose name I changed to protect her privacy, homelessness adds extra layers of vulnerability.
The shame, the trauma, and the constant struggle for basic needs make staying sober much more challenging.

"Anna" is determined to break free from this cycle. She attends a weekly peer support group and participates in one of the probation department's evidence-based programs, eager to build a better life. But the shackles of homelessness and the temptation of drugs within her environment make it a daily uphill battle.

"She doesn't want to go back to jail, or lose her 15-year-old dog, and desperately wants to stay sober and acquire housing," I share from our personal conversations.

Every Tuesday, Anna rides her bike to the Day Reporting Center, where she is welcomed by other justice-involved peers in recovery. There she can warm up, grab a couple of snacks, drink a beverage, and participate in a group-based Relapse Prevention Program facilitated by my former probation officer, who played a significant role in my recovery.

During the week, Anna and I stay connected via texting, and I celebrate her small victories while acknowledging the immense challenges she faces. My hope, and the purpose of sharing her story, is that I can raise awareness and inspire action.

Living in a tent on the river's edge in Colusa is not acceptable. We can do better as a community. We must, for the sake of Anna and others like her who are living on the razor's edge of society.

Housing First
Our county has embraced a "housing first" approach, recognizing that stable housing is a foundation for addressing homelessness in our community. But sadly, housing resources are stretched thin, which means until a housing solution becomes available for Anna, she must bear the cold, the rain, and the wind. She must dig deep to find the inner strength to endure hardship and stay sober until the cavalry arrives.

Where's The Love?
"Anna" is hurting. She deserves a chance to heal, to thrive, and to become a contributing member of our community. I call on the leaders of our county to work together with key stakeholders to ensure that the necessary funding is secured to end Anna’s dehumanizing outdoor existence on the banks of an unforgiving muddy river.

While mission statements about ending homelessness, grants, and statistical reports are vitally important, If they don't translate into real-time actionable results, they're just tears in the rain for Anna – fleeting and forgotten