At SSG HOPICS, John Helyar oversees the largest NGO street outreach program in Los Angeles County. He also oversees building out the newest harm reduction program and needle exchange in LA County, a new Early Intervention pilot to build community resources to reduce inflows into homelessness, and new capacity-building approaches for substance use disorder counseling. John also oversee all the behavioral health programs at SSG HOPICS, including adult mental health therapy, adult SUD counseling, SUD triage and system navigation services, SUD crisis housing, a dual-diagnosis homeless women's treatment program, and a trauma recovery program. John is also expanding SSG HOPICS' health portfolio, working to build ongoing relationships with local FQHCs, mobile clinics, SNFs, and health advocacy providers.

John has worked in social services in Los Angeles for 15 years after a 25 year career as a photographer.