Filling the gaps. With compassion.
Homeless Action Coalition (HAC) brings community together to help Martinez residents experiencing homelessness build confidence and get on a path towards a new home, job and way of life.
Everyone deserves a warm meal, bathroom, shower, haircut, doctor and safe place to sleep.
Most of us take the basics for granted. But many of our neighbors don’t have that luxury.
Imagine not being able to wash your hands, eat dinner or feel safe. That stress takes a toll. Now try finding a job without taking a shower or having gas to get to an interview.
It’s hard to break that cycle and rise out of poverty. That’s where the Homeless Action Coalition comes in. We help our neighbors restore a sense of normalcy and get back on their feet.
How? By staying nimble, listening to the folks we serve and recruiting our neighbors to help out.
Our Projects
Weekly Services
Every Friday, in partnership with Bay Church and Contra Costa Health Services, we offer free showers, haircuts, clean clothing, breakfast, medical and psychiatric services at the Martinez Waterfront.
Public Bathrooms
We’ve donated portable toilets and washing stations to the City of Martinez. We provide twice weekly cleanings, ensuring that everyone access to a clean bathroom without having to buy a cup of coffee.
Clothing & Supplies
We connect with those experiencing homelessness to determine what their needs are. Then, our network of volunteers collects what they need and gets it to them through our clothing exchange program.
Partnerships
We partner with the faith community, city government, county homeless services, local employers and labor unions to ensure all our participants can access the services and job opportunities available to them.
Noralea Gipner named Contra Costa County Woman of the Year by Senator Bill Dodd
Thursday, March 24, 2022
MARTINEZ – Noralea Gipner, a former Martinez City Council member who led a successful public safety sales tax campaign and was instrumental in efforts to improve services for the homeless, has been named Contra Costa County Woman of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd.
“Noralea’s hard work and dedication to her community is nothing short of impressive,” Sen. Dodd said. “Through her leadership, much has been accomplished to improve essential services and enhance public safety. I am happy to give her this much-deserved recognition.”
“Over three years ago I had a dream to aid our homeless citizens of Martinez,” Gipner said. “With the help of friends, we formed Homeless Action Coalition, my non-profit. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to create Camp Hope and the results so far are amazing; better health, a sense of belonging, opportunities for rehab, housing, and employment for many of our folks.”
Gipner, a Martinez native, is president and CEO of Homeless Action Coalition and founder of Camp Hope. The licensed cosmetologist and longtime community volunteer was elected to the Martinez City Council in 2016 and served through 2020. During that time she is credited with leading the city’s 2018 campaign for Measure X, the half-cent public safety sales tax, and for helping to bring a second baseball team, the Martinez Sturgeon, to town. She also was responsible for obtaining services such as showers and clothing and long-term places to live for the homeless. At the same time, she developed strong partnerships with the police department, county health workers, faith groups and other advocacy groups in her efforts to address the needs of the homeless community.
She has received many honors including the 2020 Community Service award from the Kiwanis Club, the 2019 Ruby award from Soroptimist and 2008 Woman of the Year from the Martinez Chamber of Commerce.
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