Meet the community: Nelson Chicas

Born in Redwood City, California Nelson spent his life in the Bay Area. Raised and educated in Northern California, he eventually landed a job with IBM. After sixteen years there, Nelson lost his position as systems engineer in the 90s. After that, a period of other setbacks left him on the streets by 2019. This was a tough period in his life and he left the Bay Area for San Diego in October 2022.

“I had nowhere else to go!” he said.

After a month in San Diego shelters, Nelson found the experience unsettling. The constant threat of violence and close quarters made him leave the shelter for the streets. After a few, cold nights on the stoop of the cathedral nearby, someone directed him to TACO, for some food. “That first Friday breakfast and coffee felt like a gift from heaven. The food was so good. Life had become a rabbit-hole of shelters and streets,” Nelson said. “I lived like a zombie. This place was welcoming.”

He kept showing up for meals, mail and charging sessions, endearing himself with the staff and volunteers with his smile and willing spirit.

“If I didn’t want my phone to get stolen in the shelter, I had to bring it to TACO to charge. You gave me peace of mind.”

Meanwhile, he was working with the San Diego Senior Center and got on a transitional housing list. Eventually, he let us know he had been matched with a place!

That was in February. Now, he’s moved in, paying rent and life is better. We still see Nelson just as much as before, but these days, he’s got on a volunteer’s apron! Nelson spends three days a week helping people who are in the shoes he just changed out of!

“That’s the reason I am here. These people helped me survive the streets and I owe them. It makes me happy to give back.”

It’s people like Nelson that make the TACO community so unique.

Thank you, Nelson. We love you.