EAST COUNTY POSSE STRIVES TO GIVE PEOPLE "A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT"

By Janis Russell 

Photo: Mark Allan

July 15, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - The East County Posse was founded a little more than 10 years ago. The mission is to help East County residents “in need of a hand up, not a hand out.” ECM met with East County Posse’s board member, Mark Allan, and chairman/CEO, Greg Brown, for an interview about this organization.  

Mark Allan told ECM that Brown started this organization so he can give something back to East County. “He’s very generous," he added. There are currently 100 members. “We raise $100,000 a year and give $100,000 a year…if we gave a hand out, we wouldn’t have any money,” Allan mentioned. This organization has all volunteers.  

Brown also added that “Bobbi Pearson of Oak Tree Escrow wanted to have an impact in a positive way…at that time, we were doing something for abused women…it morphed into East County Posse.” 

Brown mentioned a success story. “We built a 2000 square foot day care” at East County Transitional Living Center, where women, who attend the center, can have a place for their kids nearby. The board members of East County Posse, who mostly come from a construction background, wanted to help others out in a unique way. 

Another success story was when they were able to make sure a 21 year old quadriplegic man was able to continue his job at SDG&E after he had an accident. He also got promoted and is married now. 

Allan also mentioned about Rebecca Langdon, who has stage 5 kidney failure, is on dialysis, and waiting for a new kidney to get a kidney transplant. Rebecca needed surgery on her teeth and also need new teeth.  East County Posse has helped pay for some of the costs.  

When asked why this organization was named East County Posse, Brown said that he and the guys usually play poker. They thought of themselves as a posse of East County guys. Brown was the one who thought of the name, and it stuck. 

Asked about the process of helping residents in need, Allan said, “We’re not fixing anyone’s problems.” They’ve helped people, for example, with car problems, so they can get to work. They help out people who have problems “for reasons beyond their control.” Brown added, “If it makes sense, we’re going to be there…someone has to refer to make a request. Two people go out for an interview and then report back to the [appropriations] committee on what they saw.”  

Regarding if they advertise, they don’t. Allan told ECM, “We have a website.” Brown said that it’s all about grassroots and word of mouth.  

When asked about the specific ways they can help people in need, Brown replied, “The needs we help with are specific to the individual. We get somebody out there to help them.” Allan added, “We can just determine if people are out there for a hand out.” Brown said they can tell that the person doesn’t want to change or do anything to get out of the cycle they’re in.  

As far as help with lodging, Brown said, “We have a lot of connections… I’m on the board of the East County Transitional Living Center…they have emergency shelter there...”  

Also, with providing counseling services, “We will come to the need.” He mentioned they paid for counseling services for a girl who had been raped.  

When asked if they can help older, confused people navigate benefits applications, “We have all kinds of professionals in our organization…if we can make a difference, we will make a difference.” 

Another success story from Brown was about a young boy wanting to provide 70 duffel bags for other foster kids for his Eagle project. He was once a foster child, and his stuff would just get thrown in a trash bag when he would moved around. “He got enough for 300 [bags]…that project became the Boy Scouts Eagle Project of the Year…he’s going to Stanford right now. (Check out the article about the project at: http://boyslife.org/about-scouts/scouting-around/53015/great-eagle-scout-project-benefits-foster-children/. ) 

Brown would like the public to know that “it’s always about the people you can make a difference for.” He also mentioned that he’s not sharing this story to get any accolades or recognition.