About us
Who we are
Closer Walk is a homeless outreach in the Chinatown district of Salinas, ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the community residents. Closer Walk works among the tents in Chinatown, where the largest percentage of chronically homeless live. There are no easy solutions. Beyond the lack of housing, the chronically homeless have a much higher rate of drug addiction and mental illness. Overlain on this is a deep spiritual problem: a lack of hope, sense of worth, and community.
“Having a sense of community unites us. Being a part of a community can make us feel as though we are a part of something greater than ourselves. It can give us opportunities to connect with people, to reach for our goals, and makes us feel safe and secure. It’s important for every person to have a sense of community.” – The Importance of Having Strong Communities
We believe this is especially true among the homeless. Time and again people talk of “being invisible.” There is a despair that goes deeper than the day-to-day. Everything we do at Closer Walk – whether it is prayer, handing out clothes, laughing over coffee – is geared towards making everyone feel welcome and wanted. Folks come back, day after day, because they feel safe, valued, and heard. Slowly, they start sharing with us their deeper needs, and change is possible.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
(Jeremiah 29:11)
What we believe?
We share the love, joy, and peace that we have received on our own journey. We also understand, however, that many of the residents have been hurt by “religion,” and our conversations often take the form of mutual sharing of journeys. If folks want more, they let us know!
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
(Jn 13:34-35)
The Issue
2422
homeless persons in Monterrey County. 59% of them living in housing that not qualify for human habitation. 22% live outdoors in streets and parks, 19% live in vehicles, and 18% live in tents.
200-250
persons live outdoors in the Chinatown District. Most persons live in tents along Bridge Street, Market Way, and the train tracks.
44%
of the overall homeless population reported depression, 45% reported drug and alcohol use, 27% report a physical disability, 25% reported chronic health problems, 23% reported PTSD, and 19% reported other psychiatric / emotional conditions.
Our Response
Working with the residents to identify longer-term needs, such as housing, employment, sobriety, legal challenges, and medical needs.
The Logo
The Closer Walk logo – two men sitting on a bench – has a special meaning. David was on an 8 day silent retreat in 2015, and one day he was sitting in front of a statute of Jesus. David sat there and silently asked the Lord, “what would have me do for my life?” Instantly David had a vision of himself sitting on a bench, talking with a homeless person. In prayer, David immediately asked “Lord, what do you want me to do for this person?” David heard a soft, still whisper of a voice saying “I just want you to sit and talk with this person. Get to know him.” The lesson David drew from that vision was clear: we are called to journeying, not to accomplishment. As we journey with each other, breaking down the walls of isolation, the Holy Spirit is given room and freedom to accomplish all that God intends.
Meet the Founders
David and Christa Balch founded Closer Walk in April 2021. David and Christa have been married for 24 years and have five children. Closer Walk was born out of their shared Catholic faith and individual life journeys. David and Christa have already shared some interesting ministry journeys together – volunteering with HEC: Handicapped Encountering Christ; doing prison ministry in New York City; and working with youth in Salinas – but Closer Walk might be their most ambitious undertaking yet.
Christa Balch
Founder
Christa grew up in Dana Point, California. Following college at UCSB, she was went on a three year mission trip as an elementary school teacher to Papua New Guinea. On her way home, she “stopped off” in Calcutta, India for three months, where she worked with St. Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. During her stay in Calcutta, Christa had a vivid vision of a homeless shelter. She wrote down everything she saw in her vision (we still have the notebook, tucked away in our garage)! Closer Walk was birthed in that vision, and while it took 25 years for that vision to unfold, we know the Holy Spirit is guiding this venture. In the meantime, Christa went to medical school and became a board certified Family Practice doctor and addiction specialist. She has worked with the homeless, with chronic pain patients, and with persons with substance use disorder, for more than 10 years. She hopes to use that experience to help bring healing to the residents in Chinatown.
David Balch
Founder
David grew up just north of New York City, and lived on the east coast until he and Christa moved to Salinas in 2002. He was a New York licensed attorney for 7 years, handling complex commercial litigation in two of the cities large law firms. David is now a California licensed attorney, continuing his complex commercial litigation practice. During his “off” time, David ran the Youth and Young Adult ministry at Sacred Heart parish in Salinas from 2003 to 2013. From 2016 to 2019, David was the coordinator of the parish’s Charismatic Prayer Group. David was a frequent guest speaker on his favorite topic – finding peace and joy in the midst of life’s storms – and he coordinated numerous Confirmation retreats for parishes in the Salinas valley.
In 2019, David joined the Board of Victory Mission, a local Christian-based rescue shelter. After David was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2019, he decided that life was too short to keep pushing off his dreams of full-time ministry. Following chemo, radiation, and surgery, David is now in remission. In April 2021, he found a building for rent in Chinatown – and he felt God calling him to full-time homeless outreach. He and Christa immediately rented the building, and before a business plan was ever formed, Closer Walk had begun . . .
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world”
(James 1:27)