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O’Neill Fernandez is the SOS Director of Programs and Wellness. A resident of Richmond, California, O’Neill was born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.His family background is Native Hawaiian and Puerto Rican. Irrepressible is one word to describe O’Neill. He is often talking to several people at once: solving a crisis, cracking jokes, answering yet another scheduling question, providing input on policy that affects our unhoused neighbors or holding people to account. He supervises most of SOS’s staff working in the field, including SOS’s Outreach Team. A natural leader, public speaker and friend to all, it’s said that he can connect to anyone. This ability is critical to his success in the outreach efforts in Richmond throughout West Contra Costa County. Much of his week is spent visiting known and newly discovered encampments to create trusting relationships and to offer resources. His lived experience and his connections to friends and former encampment neighbors makes him relatable and trusted. In O’Neill’s words, “This is the best job I’ve ever had. I love it.”