A criminal justice major with a passion for working with young adults, Kyky Matthews sought out opportunities to make an impact. Now, in her role as Transitional-Aged Youth (TAY) Care Coordinator at CORE Mobile Outreach in Contra Costa County, specializing in working with 18-24 year olds, she is doing just that.
CORE, the Coordinate Outreach Referral, Engagement program, is part of Contra Costa Health, Housing, and Homeless Services (H3), which has been a partner of Heluna Health for nearly a decade. H3 works to delivery an integrated system of care, from prevention through intervention, for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Contra Costa County. For the majority of participants who are served by H3, CORE is the first point of entry to this system of care.
“We’re the people on the ground,” shares Michael Callanan, Program Manager at CORE. “We meet people where they are, whether it’s an encampment or on a street corner, we utilize a trauma-informed care approach and build relationships by bringing snacks, blankets, and other resources.” Once the CORE team has built a connection, they work with the participant step-by-step to secure basic necessities such as ID, Birth Certificates, CalFresh, and work up to secure housing and health services. “As you work on those little things, it builds trust, and then you can start to explore other things,” shares Callanan.
Each day is different for Kyky in her role as Care Coordinator. Whether it’s conducting intake interviews, checking in with participants, or submitting paperwork, she is focused on providing the uniquely tailored support that each person needs. And, while others may view young adults as a tough age group, Kyky is right where she wants to be. “I actually prefer to work with this age group,” she says. “If you’re able to reach the right person in the right way, you can really make an impact on their life before chronic situations develop.”
As the first touchpoint to a vast system of care, CORE is a vital part of H3. “Not only are we the first step to helping people get services, but really, we’re a compassionate presence,” shares Fadi Elhayek, CORE Program Director. “Most of our participants don’t have anyone else in their life who care for them, who take an interest in them and what they’re going through, so we’re here to not only get them access to services, but to listen and be supportive.”
Kyky’s passion and commitment to her work and her participants is evident. “Kyky is an extremely hard worker, and she’s dedicated to getting her clients the support they need,” shares Fadi. “The age group that she works with can be very difficult to connect with, and she does a great job of being persistent and building that trust so they eventually feel comfortable opening up. She’s very encouraging and a strong advocate for her people.”
As for what keeps her coming back to work each day, Kyky reflects, “Knowing that I’m making a small impact that can create a big change in someone’s life, that makes it rewarding. I enjoy finding new resources and finding ways to help people that they might not have even known existed.”
Ultimately, CORE is a safe place for people to feel seen, heard, and supported. “We really go above and beyond to make sure our participants get the resources they need, and know that they have a place to go for a ride, a shower, or a hot meal,” Kyky shares. “And it doesn’t matter the weather, rain or shine, we’re out there making sure that we’re connecting with folks and making sure they know we’re here for them.”
Click here to learn more about CORE and Contra Costa Health, Housing, and Homeless Services.