Where Hope Finds a Home.
Our Story –
“Housing. Healing. New Beginnings.”
Our Story –
“Housing. Healing. New Beginnings.”
My name is Charlie Golden, and I am a proud United States Air Force veteran, having served five and a half years in the War Readiness Spare Kit program in support of the 831st Supply Squadron, based in Victorville, California. After receiving my honorable discharge in 1987, I pursued higher education and earned my degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University, Class of 2004.
I also retired from TXI Cement Co. in 2014 after 26 years of service as a storeroom supervisor. Throughout my life, I’ve remained committed to structure, discipline, and service — values that I now carry into my role as the Founder and Executive Director of Golden Hand Outreach.
Golden Hand Outreach was established to provide transitional and shared housing for homeless veterans, seniors, and individuals facing hardship in California’s High Desert region. Our vision is to create dignified, supportive living environments that foster stability, community, and a path forward. Over the next several years, our goal is to acquire and develop five housing properties in phases — starting with one home in Phase 1, two in Phase 2, and two more in Phase 3.
As CEO, this work is personal for me — not just as a veteran, but as someone who believes that everyone deserves a safe place to land, heal, and rebuild.
Golden Hand Outreach (GHO) is a community-based nonprofit based in San Bernardino County serving California’s High Desert and Inland Empire—regions deeply impacted by poverty, incarceration, housing instability, and structural neglect. We provide transitional and permanent housing for homeless and reentry veterans, seniors, and single parents, with a wraparound model that includes life skills development, public benefits navigation, and economic reintegration support.
Our Initiatives – “What We Do”
- Transitional Housing – safe, stable homes for those in crisis.
- Healthy Meals for Seniors - seniors in our community receive nutritious meals
- Human Services - families gain access to counseling, skills training, and resources
- Workforce Development & Education – job placement & retention support.
- Life Skills Training – coaching for stability & independence.
- Benefits Navigation – SSI, CalFresh, and other supports.
Why Our Work Matters
Golden Hand Outreach serves a region where veterans, reentering citizens, and underserved families face intersecting challenges—limited housing, economic hardship, and environmental neglect. In San Bernardino County, veterans make up about 4% of the population—higher than California’s 3.8% average Census Reporter+3SB County Indicators+3U.S.VETS+3. But as the veteran population shrinks, need remains: veteran assistance requests surged to 35,138 in 2024, among the highest in a decade SB County Indicators.
Our High Desert communities—including Victorville, Adelanto, and Hesperia—are home to over 385,000 residents, with Victorville alone housing nearly 135,000 people census.ca.gov+7en.wikipedia.org+7en.wikipedia.org+7. These areas are marked by deep inequities: affordable housing is scarce, poverty is widespread, and returning veterans find few resources.
Golden Hand Outreach offers a lifeline. We provide shared, transitional, and permanent housing paired with life skills coaching, benefits navigation, and community connection—all designed to help veterans and vulnerable neighbors build stability, health, and hope.
For communities with limited infrastructure and rising reentry populations, our work isn’t just beneficial—it’s vital. We’re creating space for healing, dignity, and second chances where they’re needed most.
Roadmap for growth
Our Future: Building 5 Homes by 2030
Golden Hand Outreach is committed to creating long-term housing solutions for reentry veterans and vulnerable adults in California’s High Desert. Our vision is clear: to develop five safe, supportive housing sites by 2030, providing a foundation for healing, stability, and reintegration.
- Phase 1 → Acquire and operate 1 shared transitional home
- Phase 2: Expand to 2 additional homes (3 total)
- Phase 3: Add 2 more homes (5 total) strategically across the region
We are actively cultivating partnerships with local governments, veteran coalitions, and statewide housing and reentry networks to amplify impact, reduce recidivism, and address the housing crisis at its roots.
Theory of Change
When veterans and reentry citizens have access to affordable housing, life skills support, and community-based services, they are more likely to achieve long-term independence, avoid incarceration, and contribute meaningfully to society.
If GHO secures sustainable funding and strategic partnerships,
then we will acquire and operate 5 homes by 2030,
so that hundreds of lives can be stabilized and strengthened in the High Desert.