MAR VISTA, Calif. – Community meetings around finding housing solutions for the homeless can often end in a sharp divide between advocates and those who have concerns about neighborhood security and property values.

At the Everyone In event in Mar Vista, organizers are hoping to spark productive conversations about the homeless crisis through the power of storytelling. The event is billed as “Stories from the Front Line” and is sponsored by the United Way and The John and Marilyn Wells Family Foundation.

It brings together community members, residents, and the formerly homeless like Lydia Garcia, who came to tell her story of survival and hope. Garcia was an L.A. County clerk when her husband suddenly died leaving her spiraling into a deep depression.

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“I turned to drugs and my coping skills are just awful,” said Garcia. “And then I ran out of places to stay and I ended up losing my place, my job. I ended up sleeping in the park.”

Garcia said her process of healing could not have begun without first having a stable place to stay.

“That was a big turning point in my life,” Garcia said. “Where I actually got help. I got heard. I got a caseworker. She and I set some goals, so I was able to do that being in the shelter, and I had support from my caseworker to help me achieve that.”

One community homeowner named Sarah came to the event to learn what she can do to help.

“I'm working on an event at my Jewish temple to educate our congregation about these issues,” Sarah said. “I think this is the part that really connects with people. You're not seeing some scary person muttering on a street corner. You're seeing a human being telling you about their path.”

“To me, this is just my life,” Garcia said. “It happened to me. It can happen to anyone, but there's help out there.”

The evening offered many stories from formerly homeless who have bounced back against great odds, but perhaps the most powerful words were in Garcia’s closing.

“I’m Lydia Garcia and I'm your neighbor.”

More events are planned throughout the year and those who are interested can find out more on the Everyone In website.