San Diego-based Solutions for Change is dedicated to transforming the lives of unhoused families and has positively affected more than 4,000 people in the past 20-plus years. Most recently, the nonprofit announced its Solutions Academy program, offering first-time homebuyer classes to put people on the journey toward homeownership. Here, Chris Megison, president and CEO of Solutions for Change, discusses the nonprofit’s soon-to-be-complete Empowerment Campus and how readers can give back in the new year.
What is the mission of Solutions for Change? To solve family homelessness-one family, one community at a time.
What prompted the start of the nonprofit? During the winter of 1999, I encountered a 9-year-old homeless girl named Jessica living on the floor of a shelter. The girl pulled my sleeve and asked, “Hey mister, do you live here too?” Chris got down on one knee, looked into the girl’s eyes and said, “I don’t live here, sweetie, but my wife and I are going to do everything possible so you and your family won’t have to live here too.” The girl teared up, and his vision was born—to solve family homelessness. This one night changed not only the lives of Jessica and her family, but also the lives of over 4,300 moms, dads and children. Through this promise, Solutions for Change faces The Churn and creates Overcomers.
What is the greatest reward in being involved the Solutions for Change? Saving lives. Solutions for Change addresses root causes of poverty and dependency, and equips people with the skills, knowledge and resources to permanently solve their challenges and transform their life.
What is the biggest challenge the nonprofit faces? At Solutions for Change, big decisions have been made to stay aligned with our mission, our vision and our core values, to solve family homelessness. We continue to operate solely on community funding rather than federal government support to keep our promise of safety and accountability to the families we serve.
What are your goals for the new year? In 2024, we plan to complete our four-acre Empowerment Campus, which will double the number of families we serve. We plan to raise the capital funds required to repurchase the six properties around our main campus, and bring many more families into the Solutions Academy, rescuing them from the Churn [a cycle of difficulty and dependence].
How can readers help? Champion, invest and invite! Your investment helps equip and empower Overcomers to lead the next generation of Solutions Academy students out of homelessness, to enriching and independent lives. Become a part of our Hero Circle, volunteer, underwrite our campus expansion efforts, support our in-kind needs and take a campus tour.
Does the nonprofit have any events or fundraisers on the horizon? Support our ongoing #WeAreOneUs movement and stay tuned for more details on our 25th year anniversary celebrations!