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By: Jessyka Heredia
December 12, 2023 (Lemon Grove)—
Back in October, founding member of the Lemon Grove Improvement Council (LGIC) Teresa Rosiak received 100 sleeping bags that convert into warm coats for the unsheltered. Rosiak has already distributed over 75 of them directly to the homeless in Lemon Grove during her group’s weekly volunteer outreach.
Rosiak is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get to work for the benefit of the community. LGIC organizes a lot of valuable events throughout the year, including an annual back to school backpack drive, free EDCO large item dumpster drop-off events a few times a year, a monthly Caltrans Adopt-a-Highway trash cleanups, free events for children such as the Citrus Festival and a weekly homeless outreach, all thanks to community volunteers.
Rosiak told ECM, “A lot of our efforts are based toward the youth in our community because they are so neglected. So, every one of our events that we do are free. We don’t charge one dime because we want to give back to our community.”
ECM sat down with Rosiak to find out more about the generosity of the Lucky Duck Foundation, and how the community can get involved as well.
“The Lucky Duck Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that funds and activates high-impact programs that alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. The Lucky Duck Foundation and Tuesday Group are dedicated to leading San Diego to best practices in all areas of homelessness. According to the group's website, "We study the issue daily, meet weekly, and host homeless symposiums regularly to instigate meaningful collaboration and progress. And we raise money to fund and activate high-impact programs that are fact-based and best-in-class.”
“The Lemon Grove Outreach is a part of the LGIC and has been actively going out weekly for 2 and a half years now. We meet every Monday at 2:30 P.M. And we meet at the Lemon” on the corner of Main Street and Broadway by the Trolley tracks,” Rosiak confirmed.
LGIC not only hands out food, warm clothes, socks and sleeping bags. Rosiak explained that her group also does an intake of each individuals info to direct them to services they might qualify for that they are unaware of like EBT benefits, safe housing options, substance and domestic abuse as well as transitional housing.
Rosiak explained “Last year, we partnered with the Lucky Duck Foundation where we were getting snack bags for about a year prior. In the snack bag is a water, a sandwich, and a snack item which sometimes is a fresh piece of fruit. In October of 2022 they told us we would be eligible since we collaborated with them to get these sleeping bag coats. So, in October of 2022, we received about thirty coats.”
“This year Lucky Duck sent me an email stating we would like to collaborate with you more, would you fill out this application for more sleeping bag coats?”
Rosiak figured, “Im just gonna shoot big and I asked for 100 coats because I know we have more than a hundred unhoused in Lemon Grove, but I didn’t want to push my luck.”
Ten days after Rosiak received a confirmation email from Lucky Duck she started receiving shipments at her home of boxes filled with sleeping bag coats. Rosiak was elated and has so far distributed around 75 out of the 100 of the much-needed sleeping bags, especially as temps are dropping here in winter and an anticipated El Nino ahead this winter. Rosiak says, “Sometimes I go out daily to get these into the unsheltered hands because they really are life-saving and warm for these individuals”
Rosiak explained that the sleeping bag coats look like a regular warm winter coat but that a flap folds down from the back “where the sleeping bag portion is attached, and you can put your legs in and it Velcros up to stay warm like a cocoon.”
When Rosiak was asked about the reaction she has received from the people she has given coats to, she shared, “Out of everybody that I have made contact with and offered one to, there was only one unsheltered individual that did not accept one. So, I think they are very welcome and it’s very heartwarming for me and my team that we see them being used when we are driving around town.“
According to Rosiak, “These coats are made by individuals who used to be unsheltered. It costs the Lucky Duck Foundation about $150 to make each sleeping bag coat.”
Rosiak expressed sincere gratitude for all the help she has received, “This is not a one-person thing. This takes a team and I just want to thank the people who do come weekly to help make this happen for our community. We have made a huge difference in Lemon Grove. As of June 2023, we have taken off the streets of Lemon Grove either to a shelter, housing or mental health facility, 64 people so far.”
ECM asked Rosiak what the public can do to get involved and help in their efforts. Rosiak responded, “They can always donate to the Lucky Duck Foundation and its tax deductible.” To help out with the outreach call email Teresa at teresa.rosiak2018@gmail.com or give her a call at (619) 991-1004. LGIC also accepts donations of socks, underwear, blankets, toiletries and clothing.
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