A Few Sandwiches

There are any number of services available to the homeless but we determined long ago what is truly needed on the streets is an outreach program that meets people where they are. We have walked the same route since March of 2000 handing out sandwiches, bananas and other necessities. Our goal is not to feed people but rather to buy a little of their time in hopes that over time we can build a relationship and earn their trust

I have heard many times that “getting clean” is easy. It is what comes next that is hard. Most people with substance abuse issues have lost connection with family and friends and are alone except for those on the streets with the same issues. They have nobody to turn to when they attempt to move out of that life and with no support they tend to just fall right back into their self destructive habits. It is what they know.

We know when someone is ready to move off the streets they need someone they can trust to help them bridge the gap from the life they know to what they view as a frightening new life where they suddenly must answer to authority figures. It is a huge change and we want to be there for them to support them through the transition. Change is glacial and relapse is just a fact. That said, we see successes but they are hard won and infrequent.

Over the years we have built credibility on the streets and people are now beginning to seek us out. We get calls from people we don’t know asking for help. The word is beginning to spread and after 10 years people are beginning to trust that we are who we say we are. It has been a huge investment but if we can begin to turn the tide it will have been worth the effort. If we have not yet begun to turn the tide we will just stay with it until we do.