Helping the Unhoused: Sacramento's Solidarity Summit Elevates Voices

In the wake of her father's battle with leukemia, Nathalie Mvondo faced homelessness in her mid-30s, finding temporary refuge in a kind stranger's garden until she secured employment and her own residence. She shared her story during the fourth annual Solidarity Summit on Homelessness at First United Methodist Church in downtown Sacramento."This summit is vital as it removes the stigma surrounding homelessness, allowing individuals affected to voice their solutions," Mvondo stated, now a community activist.Organized by the Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee and the Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign, the summit emphasized themes of art, justice, health, and family. Faye Wilson Kennedy highlighted the importance of listening to the unhoused, noting their solutions often go unheard.The Sacramento Point-in-Time count revealed 6,615 individuals experiencing homelessness, with Black residents disproportionately affected. The summit also offered self-care services, legal clinic referrals, and engaging activities. Dr. Flojaune Cofer reaffirmed housing as a fundamental human right, while Cathleen Williams criticized ineffective government policies on homelessness. Kolieka Seigle emphasized community action over dependence on local government.