SOUTH LOS ANGELES – If only turning someone’s life around was as easy as turning the steering wheel of a car

That is the ask of a 27-year-old outreach agent for the Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System or HOPICS for short. For Joshua Gray, who started at HOPICS 3 years ago, dedicating his life to helping people is worth it.

“I feel better about this work and helping somebody reach they goals. Than I did when I was at Olive Garden and got somebody like their salad,” said Gray.

However, the day-to-day contact with some of the cities downtrodden can be emotionally draining.

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“Just not taking those problems on as your own and just know that you come in for these eight hours try to do the best you can, help as many people as you can. You’re not a super hero at the end of the day,” said Gray.

It can be hard for the agents when they do everything they can to help someone, but that person doesn’t want help for themselves.

A little over a month ago, Ward met up with Richard Howard, who said if he had the chance he would move off the streets.

“I would love to because I would become a better person. I’m not saying that I am a bad person. But I wouldn’t be drinking as much. I wouldn’t be using as much. I wouldn’t be out here in the streets as much. I would be content in housing and in a home recovering,” said Howard.

But when the day came for Howard to move into housing, he was a no show.

“It just seemed like it was a go. For him not to move in to the bridge home was kind of disappointing, but you try to focus on your successes,” said Gray.

So unfortunately, he has to move on to the next person, hoping the best for Howard.  

Each situation is different and often times they are dealing with people who are at their wits end. Like in the situation of one woman, who asked not to have her face shown because she says her kids are fleeing from domestic abuse situation, there is nothing that can be done on the spot.

“You try to help encourage patience, because you want to convey that you’re really there to help,” said Gray.

There was fortunately one bright spot in the day. Gray was able to see the fruit of his hard work when a man finally moved into their new shelter

“It’s amazing.  I’m just glad when there’s something that’s actually tangible for them to get in to.  It makes it easier to do the work and advertise it,” said Gray.

One down, thousands more to go.