On the first day of winter, Tracy Community Connections Center (TCCC) paused our outreach work to honor community members who died while experiencing homelessness in Tracy.
We gathered behind New Heart Church on Bessie Avenue on Saturday, December 21, 2024. TCCC staff, volunteers, and neighbors prayed, and heard the names of 44 people we lost in 2024, read by Pastor Patrick Williams. For each name spoken, there was also a story underneath of hopes deferred, of challenges unseen, of a neighbor we never had the chance to serve fully.
This was the first of what we plan to make an annual event. For reasons ranging from chronic illness to lack of safe shelter, the 44 people we honored lost their lives to homelessness over the last 5 years. By gathering together and remembering the losses, we emphasize the importance of empathy, respect, and making connections with every human life.
Remembering Stories: Homelessness isn’t a statistic – it’s lived experience. By reading each name, we remind ourselves that behind every life lost was a person with dreams, struggles, and dignity.
Building Community: The memorial draws volunteers, faith leaders, business owners, and public officials. It’s a stark reminder that tackling homelessness is everyone’s responsibility.
Recommitting to Action: This event isn’t an endpoint—it’s a spark. In the days after, our outreach team ramps up efforts to connect more people to our housing navigation, medical recuperative care, and hygiene services.
Join Us If you’d like to attend next year’s memorial or help us expand our outreach, visit tracyccc.org/get-involved or call us at (209) 407-9649.
Winter in Tracy doesn’t bring snowstorms or below-zero temperatures, but don’t let the milder weather fool you. For people living outdoors, winter is brutal. Cold nights, biting winds, rain, and damp clothes create dangerous conditions, especially for those with health issues. At Tracy Community Connections Center (TCCC), we see firsthand how winter multiplies the risks for our unhoused neighbors.
So what does winter outreach really look like here? It’s more than handing out blankets. It’s survival work.
Staying Alive on Cold Nights
Every winter, we distribute critical supplies including blankets and warm coats, in partnership with One Warm Coat. These are not nice-to-have items; they are lifelines. Wet clothing, especially for those with chronic illnesses, can lead to hypothermia — even in California’s relatively mild climate.
Our team hits the streets, visiting camps and known gathering spots. We check on people, assess their condition, and offer immediate help. When temperatures drop or storms come in, we work to place the most vulnerable to city warming centers and transport those in need to city shelter as needed. But space is limited, and we triage constantly: who’s at the highest risk tonight?
Connection and Trust
Outreach is not just about delivering supplies. It’s about building relationships. Many of the people we help have struggled with healthcare, housing, and social services. They’ve learned not to trust promises. That’s why consistent, regular outreach matters.
At TCCC, we see familiar faces, week after week, month after month. We offer food, hygiene kits, and conversation. Over time, people begin to open up. That’s when we can step in with case management: getting someone connected to medical care, applying for benefits, helping with ID replacement, or finding a spot in transitional housing. But none of that happens without trust.
What the Community Can Do
Winter is the season when community support matters most. We would love donations of coats, hand warmers, blankets, hats, and gloves. We also provide some Christmas gifts to families with children as needed. We need volunteers willing to help pack supply kits or assist with food deliveries. And we need advocates – people who will speak up for more resources, more shelter space, and long-term housing solutions in Tracy.
If you see someone in need this winter, don’t just walk by. Offer information about TCCC’s services. Donate directly to organizations doing the work. And remember: winter may pass, but the need for support continues year-round.
At Tracy Community Connections Center (TCCC), we proudly serve as Tracy’s primary navigation center for the homeless population, guiding individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability toward essential services and resources. Our mission is to provide immediate support and long-term solutions, ensuring that no one in our community faces these challenges alone.
What Is a Navigation Center?
A navigation center functions as a centralized hub where individuals can access a wide array of services and receive referrals to additional support systems.While we offer numerous in-house services, we also collaborate with local partners to ensure comprehensive care for our clients.
Applying for disability benefits, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh
Obtaining identification vouchers
Securing rental assistance and eviction prevention
Accessing emergency food supplies
For individuals recovering from medical procedures, we provide recuperative care, including temporary housing and daily check-ins to support their recovery journey.
Earlier this year we opened our free laundry service trailer, furthering our holistic approach to community support.
Coordinated Referrals for Specialized Care
Recognizing that some needs extend beyond our scope, we maintain strong partnerships with local organizations to facilitate referrals for:
Skilled nursing care at appropriate facilities in the Tracy area
Our team ensures a “warm handoff” by coordinating with these partners and providing transportation to appointments, ensuring clients receive the care they need without additional barriers.
Transportation and Ongoing Support
Transportation is a critical component of our services.We assist clients in reaching medical appointments, housing interviews, and other essential services.By removing transportation barriers, we help clients stay on track toward stability and independence.
A Community-Centered Approach
As the only nonprofit in Tracy exclusively dedicated to serving the homeless population, TCCC plays a vital role in our community.Our holistic approach addresses immediate needs while laying the foundation for long-term success.
In 2024, TCCC provided 36,891 case management services, as a result of the 156% increase in unsheltered individuals in Tracy between 2022 and 2024. You can learn more about the impact of our work in our 2024 annual report.
Our work is made possible through the support of dedicated volunteers and generous donors.Whether you’re interested in volunteering your time or making a financial contribution, your involvement helps us continue to serve as a beacon of hope in Tracy. To learn more about our services, volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation, please use our contact form or call (209) 407-9649.
At Tracy Community Connections Center (TCCC), we understand that healthcare doesn’t end at the hospital door. Many homeless individuals rely on the ER for basic medical care, only to face additional challenges once discharged. That’s why we’ve partnered with social workers at Sutter Hospital in Tracy to create a vital post-hospital care program, designed to support our most vulnerable neighbors and ease the burden on emergency services.
Addressing the Challenge of Post-Hospital Care
For homeless individuals, the transition from hospital to community can be daunting. Without a safe place to go, access to food, clothing, or even follow-up care, patients are at high risk of readmission. This cycle not only jeopardizes their well-being but also leads to increased healthcare costs and strain on emergency services. TCCC’s innovative approach tackles these challenges head-on, offering both short-term relief and long-term solutions.
How Our Program Works
Through our collaborative efforts with Sutter Hospital’s social workers, we ensure that qualifying individuals discharged from the ER in Tracy receive comprehensive support:
Safe Discharge
We develop a discharge plan for each client which may include emergency motel housing at the doctor’s discretion. Our team will work with the social workers, doctors, and the client to connect them to a primary care physician, coordinate case management, and develop a long-term housing solution.
Essential Supplies
We ensure that every client receives what they need, including discharge instructions, medications, clothing, and food.
Daily Support
Recognizing that recovery is a process, our team checks in on each client daily, offering ongoing case management and assistance – tailored to help them secure longer-term, stable housing.
Coordinated Care
We meet bi-weekly, or more frequently, with Sutter Hospital social workers to discuss each case and continuously improve the quality of care. This coordinated effort helps prevent readmissions and supports sustainable recovery.
Impact and Importance
In 2024 alone, our post-hospital care program helped 74 clients. Each of these individuals received not just immediate relief, but a pathway toward a more stable future. By providing comprehensive support right after hospital discharge, we:
Care for Individuals
Our program addresses the immediate needs of those transitioning from critical care, ensuring they have a safe environment to continue their recovery.
Prevent Readmissions
With proper follow-up care and daily check-ins, we reduce the likelihood of complications that can lead to re-hospitalization.
Reduce Healthcare Costs
By keeping individuals out of the ER and hospital, we help lower the overall healthcare costs associated with chronic, unmanaged conditions.
Break the Cycle
Ultimately, our approach not only supports immediate recovery but also paves the way for long-term stability and independence, breaking the cycle of homelessness and repeated ER visits.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The work we do at TCCC is driven by a simple belief: everyone deserves a safe, supportive environment to heal and thrive. Through our post-hospital care program, we are not only helping individuals recover but also contributing to a healthier, more compassionate community in Tracy.
If you’re interested in learning more about our program, volunteering, or supporting our mission, please get in touch. Together, we can build a community where everyone has the opportunity to reclaim their health and hope.
