If you’re receiving public benefits in California, programs like CalWORKs often require you to participate in approved activities to continue receiving support, including access to healthcare through Medi-Cal. The good news is that these activities don’t always have to be traditional employment. In many cases, volunteering can count toward your required hours, helping you stay compliant while continuing to receive benefits.
Under CalWORKs’ Welfare-to-Work program, participants may be required to complete weekly hours through activities like job training, education, or community service and volunteering. These requirements are designed to help individuals build skills, stay engaged, and work toward long-term stability. For many people, especially those navigating barriers like homelessness or transportation challenges, volunteering can be a practical and meaningful way to meet those obligations.
This is where organizations like Tracy Community Connections Center (TCCC) come in. Volunteering with TCCC, whether helping at the shower program, laundry services, food distribution, or outreach events, can provide structure, connection, and a pathway to meeting program requirements. It’s also an opportunity to build relationships, gain experience, and stay connected to resources that support your next steps.
If you’re part of a program like CalWORKs and want to maintain your benefits, including medical coverage, talk to your case manager about whether volunteering can count toward your required hours. It’s a simple step that can help you stay covered, stay engaged, and stay moving forward.
When people look at the list of services available on our Get Help page, they may see a variety of programs and wonder: What exactly does the term health resource center mean? At Tracy Community Connections Center (TCCC), we use language that reflects both practical support and compassionate care, and it’s important to clarify what a “health resource center” is and how our services fit into that concept.
What Is a Health Resource Center?
A health resource center is any place or program that connects people directly with health-related services, information, and support. That can include:
- Assistance accessing medical care
- Help enrolling in health insurance or Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Referrals to clinics or behavioral health providers
- Support managing chronic health conditions
- Screenings, education, and health promotion
In short, a health resource center focuses on helping people access healthcare and health-related support, whether through direct services or by linking individuals to appropriate providers.
Some health resource centers are physical clinics where people can walk in for care. Others are outreach programs, nonprofit hubs, or coordinated networks of services.
Is TCCC a Health Resource Center?
Yes, but with a broader purpose.
TCCC is not a medical clinic, and we do not provide direct medical treatment. However, we do function as a health resource connector: we help individuals access care, find medical referrals, and navigate systems that support wellbeing.
Here’s how TCCC aligns with the health resource center concept:
- Our case management team helps clients enroll in healthcare or Medi-Cal coverage.
- We connect people with medical providers, mental health services, and addiction recovery programs.
- Through our Street Outreach team, we link people directly to care and escort clients to appointments.
- Our recuperative care services support people after discharge from hospitals, ensuring continuity of care and a safe environment to recover.
- Housing is a social determinant of health, and by helping our clients get access to long-term housing, we are therefore impacting their long-term health.
These efforts make TCCC more than a homeless services provider. We’re a bridge between people and the health resources they need.
Our Partnership with Community Medical Centers
Every Monday, Community Medical Centers is available on-site to help our clients during our shower program. They provide valuable health services, including:
Preventative Care
- Blood pressure checks
- Blood glucose checks
- Hemoglobin A1C checks
Testing
- STDs
- HIV
- Hepatitis
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Anemia
Referrals
- Primary care providers
- Specialists
- Substance abuse treatment
- Social workers
- Case management
Other Services
- Wound care
- Lab interpretation
- Health assessments
- Disease process education
- Disease prevention education
Are All Resources Listed on the Get Help Page Health Resource Centers?
Not exactly.
The resources listed on our Get Help page cover a range of support areas, and not all of them are health resource centers in themselves. They include:
- Housing navigation and eviction prevention
- Case management for food, IDs, benefits enrollment
- Shower and laundry programs
- Street outreach
- Recuperative care
While many of these services intersect with health and wellbeing, only some directly engage with healthcare access.
For example, the shower and laundry programs address hygiene and dignity, which are deeply tied to physical and mental health. They are not medical resources themselves, but do provide essential supportive services that reduce health risks, but they don’t replace clinical care.
TCCC’s Role in Your Health and Wellbeing
So what does this mean for someone seeking help?
TCCC is a support hub that helps individuals find and access healthcare. We connect our clients with clinics, behavioral health, and community partners, as well as navigating the system of arranging insurance, appointments, and referrals. More directly, we also help individuals stay healthy through hygiene and supportive services.
We help remove barriers to health, which is one of the biggest challenges facing people experiencing homelessness. We may not be a clinic, but we ensure that people who need care can find and receive it.
If you’re looking for support with health resources, housing, benefits, or basic needs, TCCC is here to help you navigate your options. Call (209) 407-9649 or explore our Get Help page to get find the help you need.
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.
