Shawn Brazill, 51, learned to love cooking around the age of 8. He learned the fine arts of nutrition and seasoning from his mother and grandmother. His accent gives away being born and raised in the Bronx. His father was an NYPD detective, his mother an RN in pediatrics. Shawn pursued a career in finance, eventually working at J.P. Morgan, and consulting globally. After getting married in Europe, then suffering the loneliness of divorce during COVID, Shawn came to San Diego. His culinary skills and natural outgoing personality made him a lot of friends - especially with anyone who happened to be hungry and nearby. Riding thru downtown looking for resources to share with others, he makes sure he’s home at B Lot when food donations come in so he can grill up a hot plate for fellow residents.

Ronald, 68, has always been resourceful. He has his recycling system down to a science. He knows which liquor stores have large dumpsters nearby, and which bus stops typically have trash cans where riders leave drink containers. He makes sure he follows behind parade routes, marathons, downtown rallies and marches, or big events in Balboa Park. Originally from new Orleans, he moved out to San Diego to be near family when his marriage went south. All was fine for years until his mother passed away and those family members kicked him out of the apartment they all shared. Again, ever resourceful, he bounced between motels and shelters until he was able to secure a Section 8 voucher, eventually landing in a downtown studio apartment. He still cans every day.

Mark always liked singing. When he was five he and his three other brothers would sing along with the radio. They never made it big, but Mark and his twin brother Martin always had a magical musical connection when they were together. In fact, Mark and Martin were often in the same prison at the same time. Mark even managed to fool the guards at San Quentin, hoping to get his brother released in his place, but it didn’t work out. Having learned to draw while in juvenile detention, Mark managed to stay creative the rest of his life: drawing, tattoos, woodburning, even jewelry making. He manages to make some spending money designing walking canes with elaborate carvings.

Mona Bailey has been spreading aloha among her unhoused community of friends, neighbors, and supporters for 15 years. When she discovered her husband was cheating on her, she ended up at a trolley station crying unconsolably and suicidal. HOT team members got her into the Alpha Project winter tent, then she moved in with a friend who was not the best person to live with. Mona soon discovered she had breast cancer to go along with her asthma and heart condition. Despite her medical conditions, she is low on the list for housing because, as she puts it, “I haven’t been raped and I have no mental health issues. And I’m not trying to get on no cuckoo medicine just to get housing.”