In February 2026, the Convene team hosted a community conversation at Esperanza Community, a community that supports individuals transitioning out of homelessness by providing shelter, social connection, wellness services, and work opportunities. Approximately 30 participants attended the conversation, including both residents and service providers. Throughout the discussion, participants shared experiences navigating substance use recovery systems, accessing housing and treatment resources, and the importance of community connection and support.

A central theme that emerged was the critical role relationships and guidance play in helping people access services. Participants repeatedly emphasized that having a trusted advocate, peer, friend, or supportive community member can make systems significantly easier to navigate. Community members shared that individuals already connected to the recovery community often know who to call, how to access resources, and how to “get the ball rolling” when someone needs help.

Participants emphasized that knowledge about available resources is one of the biggest factors influencing whether someone is able to successfully connect to care and support.

At the same time, participants described many barriers that make accessing services difficult. Community members discussed the need to first connect with a funding source before being able to secure treatment beds or access treatment facilities. Participants also noted that services often feel fragmented and difficult to navigate, particularly when individuals are trying to coordinate housing, treatment, transportation, and recovery support at the same time.

Housing and service coordination were recurring themes throughout the conversation. Participants shared that individuals may currently need to navigate dozens of separate organizations and locations to access housing and related services. Community members discussed the need for more centralized and coordinated approaches, including county-wide coordination of housing resources and easier navigation of harm reduction and recovery support services.

Participants also reflected on existing recovery resources within the community. Meetings were described as widely available and helpful for many individuals, and participants expressed interest in expanding peer support opportunities locally. A men’s support group was also identified as a positive resource. At the same time, participants noted that previous attempts to establish peer-oriented meetings experienced declining attendance over time, highlighting challenges with sustaining ongoing community engagement and participation.

Transportation and outreach were also identified as important areas of concern. Participants shared that buses were previously important sources of information about available services and support. Community members recalled seeing advertisements for recovery resources, peer support outreach on buses, and hotline information for individuals seeking help. Participants noted that many of these outreach efforts are no longer visible, making it harder for individuals to learn about available services and supports.

Throughout the discussion, participants emphasized that accessing support is often easier when individuals already have connections to the recovery community, direct access to responsive organizations, or trusted peers helping them navigate systems. Conversely, services become significantly more difficult to access when people lack guidance, transportation, awareness of resources, or established support networks.

Overall, the conversation reinforced the importance of connection, navigation support, and centralized access to resources. Participants emphasized that without personal relationships, peer guidance, or clear information about available services, many individuals struggle to successfully navigate complex systems of care and support.

Key Takeaways

• Participants emphasized that advocates, peers, and trusted community members play a major role in helping people successfully access support and services.
• Accessing treatment and housing often requires navigating fragmented systems and securing funding before services can begin.
• Community members expressed a desire for more centralized and coordinated approaches to housing, harm reduction, and recovery support.
• Recovery meetings, peer support, and mental health-focused organizations were identified as valuable community resources.
• Participants highlighted the importance of transportation and outreach efforts, including the role public transit systems previously played in sharing recovery information and resources.
• The conversation reinforced that access to care often depends heavily on personal connections, community knowledge, and the ability to navigate complex systems.