On any given day, you’ll find Felipe Diaz in the parks, city streets and alleyways of Riverside County. Felipe is part of the Justice Outreach Team, managed by Riverside University Health System. The team interfaces with unhoused people struggling with mental illness and substance use challenges, with the goal of reducing involvement in the criminal justice system.

Too often, unhoused people struggling with behavioral health challenges repeatedly find themselves in jails for minor offenses. Outreach teams are a critical component in getting people the help they need to find a path to recovery. In recovery himself, Felipe brings his own personal experience to his job, leading to a compassionate connection with everyone he interfaces with.