Homelessness

People experiencing homelessness is on the rise in our nation, state and city.

As complex an issue as it is, as frustrating as we all may be with legislation, laws and the challenges that come with this issue, we must engage in a productive, strategic, collective manner in order to see progress and people's lives impacted. Lives change when others engage and invest in one other. Love Costa Mesa can help you engage and invest in others who are experiencing homelessness. Here are ways for you to get engaged.

Ways to
get involved

Have questions about getting involved? Contact Scott today.

Contact Us

Check-In Center Team: The Check-In Center provides a safe place for the homeless to store some of their belongings for safekeeping and provides the opportunity to build relationships with them. Shifts are Monday-Friday morning 5:30am-630am and Monday-Friday evenings 6:30pm-730pm. Location: The Crossing Church 2115 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa, CA 92627. Sign up here.
Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter Support Team: The Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter is an important resource in our city’s efforts to end homelessness. People staying at the shelter benefit from safe shelter every night and wrap around services to help them make their way into a permanent home. Volunteers are needed at the shelter to help bring activities to the residents. Life in the shelter can be lonely, there is a need for people to teach dance, art, play games, etc. Please sign up here to talk to someone about what you (or your small group) can bring to the shelter. Sign up here.
Housing Support Team: As our homeless neighbors begin to get housed there is a growing need to have a team ready to partner with them to help the transition off the street. The housing support team will help provide housing items like bedding, towels, etc. They will also provide friendship and support as our previously homeless neighbors begin their new journey. Items needed for newly housed. Contact to be on the team: sam@wearetrellis.com
Street Team: We believe that everything starts with prayer. Join us as we go out into Costa Mesa and pray for our homeless neighbors. We will train and guide you on best practices on the streets. Our goal is to have people praying on a regular basis for the homeless in Costa Mesa. We want them to experience the love of Jesus through our street team. Sign up today.

Community Impact Team

One of the gaps in the continuum of care for our unhoused neighbors was a way for them to re-enter the workforce. The Community Impact Team was created as a transitional work program to organize volunteer opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. These opportunities provide practical skills like how to work on a team, be punctual, complete a resume or job application, and resolve conflict. Volunteer opportunities are sponsored by local businesses, churches, and city agencies.

Being part of a team environment builds into the participants not only with the practical job skills, but also with a sense of dignity and purpose as they are contributing to their community. Volunteer project participation is celebrated with gift cards to help them maintain basic needs.

Request a project

Join the Community Impact Team

Join the CIT advocate team

Donate to the Community Impact Team

Initiative Leader

Sam Ashurst

Sam Ashurst recently joined our team at Trellis as the Director of City Challenges. She is excited to see the church be connected and activated to the challenges in their city across Orange County. She is passionate about empowering people and supporting them in their dreams. We love seeing her passion for evaluating where people need more support, coming beside them, and helping find those resources come to life throughout her work with Trellis. Her vision for a better, more unified Body of Christ that works together to serve those who need resources and a friendly face embodies the efforts and mission of Trellis.

Same graduated from Vanguard University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Interpersonal Communication. She then worked five years in Human Resources at the OC Fair & Event Center where she learned the power of meeting people where they are at, and caring about where they are going. For the last four years, she has been on the pastoral staff of Genesis Church. In this role, she learned the importance of community and the ability to walk with and restore dignity to the hurting. Sam has also blessed us with her volunteer work at our events and helped us execute major wins on Love Costa Mesa Day.

Sam and her husband Caleb of two years have a sweet puppy named Penny together that they love dearly. She loves to create art and experiences the most joy when she is in community and walking out life with those the Lord has put in front of her.