Some crouch in their dwellings, waiting for help to arrive. Some meander aimlessly. Others get on their bikes, visit the Church's shower ministry, and attend job interviews. Still more wait to become sober again. But the people in the camps remain.

Vic and Gayle

Knight of Malta Vic Giacalone, who once led the board of the Guadalupe Conservancy, the driving force behind efforts to bring a family-friendly centralized park to San José in the 1990s, now visits the encampment residents regularly.

Walking the planned paths of the park he once advocated for, he brings supplies every other week to Guadalupe River encampment residents along with a cadre of the Order of Malta’s Knights, Dames, and volunteers. He has formed special bonds with many, including Gayle.

During our visit, Gayle turned to Vic and playfully asked him, “You remember what I said to you when I first met you? I said, ‘You look like my dad, but he was taller!’” Her smile conveys the sincere affection she holds for Vic, who meets her question with humor. “Maybe I am your dad, but I just shrunk a bit?” he suggests. It is an exchange between two long standing friends.

Giacalone shared why he feels called to his current outreach. “As a Knight, I have the duty to help the poor and the sick. That is the mission of the Order of Malta. Equally relevant is my obligation to give back to my community. I have been very blessed, and I want to make life a little easier for the unfortunate folks living on the street.”  The encampment ministry has allowed Vic to accomplish both.

Larry and Monica

Further south, near the Coyote Creek corridor between Story and Tully Roads, Larry Cargoni and Monica Rising, with volunteers, co-lead the mobile shower units with others at Our Lady of Refuge Parish, hosted by Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. When it comes to serving the unhoused, both Larry and Monica have come to realize that a shower is much more than a shower.

In Monica’s own words, “Those living on the street and in their cars need so many things, but dignity is key. It was amazing to see a man quietly gather some donated clothes and enter the showers, only to emerge in a button-down shirt, clean pants, and dress shoes, and announce that he was now ready for his job interview. He left with confidence and assurance we did not see when he went in.” Larry shared what he finds impactful about the ministry, “I am warmed that our guests may find some joy, happiness, or dignity for a few moments. When they treat their pets well, I am reminded that we all need someone or something to give us purpose.”

Larry also spoke about more difficult aspects of their ministry. “It is hard to hear stories sometimes.  There was one guest who told me nonchalantly that she was raped, like she was just telling me that Safeway was having a sale. Another guest had such bad rheumatoid arthritis that it took all of us and her husband to get her into and out of the shower. She has no access to medical care. Another guest saw their pet get killed.” Larry also shared that when any of their regular clients disappear for weeks, volunteers cannot help but worry about them.

These harsh realities serve to anchor Monica and Larry to their ministry and challenge each to deepen in faith. Monica related one instance that continues to inspire her: “A client once emerged from the shower, sighing that her migraine had disappeared. That was one simple moment of how we are easing someone’s pain and lifting a burden in their day. Moments like those are when I see Christ in a client’s face, and I know I am serving God by serving them.”

Larry admits that his journey towards understanding himself as a missionary disciple is a work in progress. He reflected, “To be honest, I have not found my exact reason for volunteering in this shower ministry, or any of the other ministries in which I am involved.  I do these things because people need them. I take inspiration and direction from Dan Schutte’s song, Here I am Lord. The lyrics go, ‘Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord.’  In my case, I take this call seriously. The Lord calls, so I go.”

Gayle’s Story

Back near the Columbus Park and Guadalupe River encampment, adjacent to Coleman Ave, Vic took time to check in with Gayle as he has done for four years. In that time, Vic has purchased her upwards of five tents. She recalled the first one he purchased her. “It was a canvas one, like an old military one. I loved that thing, but it got stolen.” Gayle described how she is an encampment mom-figure to some of the younger women and is herself a domestic violence survivor. She introduced us to her three dogs, also explaining why she has not sought permanent shelter. “There's only one shelter here in town that lets you have service dogs, and they are full.”

She also feels a responsibility to her neighboring tent dwellers. “I have helped four people get clean and sober. One of the guys went to a job interview today.” She related that her health prevents her from working as she has just started treatment for Hepatitis C. When asked what she wishes people knew about encampment life, she responded with: “It is hard. Many of the women have men, but I do not have anyone right now. We have to lock up our tents because even your neighbor will steal your stuff out here.”  But about Vic, she has nothing but glowing words. “He is an angel in my life. I would be really proud to have him as a father!”

Loving Christ in the Unhoused

From firsthand experience, Vic has discovered,”It is a truism that you see the face of Christ in the face of the poor. When I take the time to pray for these folks, it is then that I realize that my faith is directly inspiring me.”  Giacalone wishes that more people realized it is within their power to directly make life a little easier for the unhoused, perhaps through volunteering. He encourages all readers: “A smile and a sincere thank you from someone in need, when you have given them a hygiene kit or a sandwich, is a real blessing.”

In San José’s encampments, the seasons change, private jets and commercial planes thrum loudly overhead, and the unhoused people below remain.

Vic Giacalone of the Order of Malta, as well as Larry Cargnoni and Monica Rising of the Shower Ministry, are three volunteers who grow relationships with the people they serve. In the coming 2025 issues, The Valley Catholic hopes to feature a variety of voices, including those from the unhoused and the volunteers who serve them.