Our Story
In January 2012, Dr. Tia Fechter and her husband, Michael, moved to Monterey County and began addressing the urgent needs of the homeless community. They quickly discovered a hidden population of homeless women living in their cars, often struggling to maintain a facade of normalcy while facing the harsh realities of life without stable shelter. Many of these women, ranging from ages 20 to 85, found themselves in this situation due to circumstances such as divorce, job loss, or spousal abuse.
Recognizing the dire need for assistance, Tia, a PhD in psychometrics, took the initiative to establish One Starfish Safe Parking and Supportive Services, initially funding the program from her own resources. With the support of compassionate community members and organizations like We Help Homeless Women and The Fund for Homeless Women, One Starfish has been able to provide safe overnight parking and essential support services to these vulnerable women.