programs that are really strong rehabilitative programs . … You know it ’ s an economic impact also . … By reinvesting in programs like ours , it ’ s creating a stronger workforce . It ’ s getting people out of homelessness . It ’ s improving our housing situation all around .

We like to have a lot of tours with people . Because when people come and see the women and the children and who they really are , and it ’ s not just some video clip of what ’ s going on down by the river , they get to meet the people , and they get to understand why they ’ re there — it ’ s not out of reluctance to go to work . It ’ s things that have happened so long ago that have had such a big effect on these people that it … becomes a lifelong pathway . I think CEOs and other business leaders would benefit by really learning about some of the root causes of homelessness and ( becoming ) part of our think tank and solutions .

Is there anything else you would like to add ?

It would be an understatement to say I ’ m grateful to have found my life ’ s work . It ’ s a remarkable place . The women and the children , their capabilities are amazing . It ’ s beautiful to watch them transform from coming in without much confidence — and the one thing they have with them is the willingness to do the program — and then to see them go through the program and be successful and get a job and experience all the wins along the way . … A win could be that they ’ re successful in a reunification with their children . A win could be they have gotten through an entire week without any substance abuse . A win could be they got a driver ’ s license .

I think we ’ ve got a lot more work to do . We ’ ve got a lot of work to do because homelessness is a problem that is getting bigger , it ’ s getting more complicated . The resources are still very limited . … We have almost a 1-to-1 ratio of moms to kids , which means we ’ ve got to help the kids and give them the tools so they don ’ t end up in the cycle of poverty as well . So that ’ s where our real opportunity is . That ’ s kind of the final thing in my leadership with Saint John ’ s … investing in our kids and finding ways to make life-lasting impact and giving them the tools so that they can be successful , just like their moms are .

Airco Mechanical , Inc .

EXCELLENCE BY DESIGN

With a reputation of excellence , Airco Mechanical

is the region ’ s leading design build mechanical contractor specializing in heating , ventilation , and air conditioning systems ; plumbing systems ; process piping ; and environmental control systems .

Airco designs and installs state-of-the-art mechanical systems in commercial buildings throughout multiple industries across Northern California . In addition to design and engineering and new construction , the company offers a special projects department for short-term jobs as well as service and maintenance for all systems .

Many of Airco ’ s approximately 200 employees have 15 , 20 and even 30-plus years of experience with large commercial applications . With more than three decades of experience himself , Service Manager Paul Corralejo notes , “ We pride ourselves on having the best-trained technicians and a large pool of team members to handle everything from the largest projects to projects that can be accomplished over a weekend . Our range of capabilities makes us the one-stop shop for property managers . Let us show you what we can do for your commercial buildings .”

1120 November Comstock's Magazine November 2020 | Page 27

Airco Mechanical , Inc .

With a reputation of excellence , Airco Mechanical