Connect people to basic services

Engagement and Trust-Building

Begin with building trust through respectful and empathetic engagement. Introduce yourself and the purpose of the outreach. Listen actively to understand the individual's needs and concerns.

Ask about access to shelter, food, clothing, healthcare, and hygiene facilities. Identify any urgent medical or mental health concerns.

Provide clear information about available services by sharing details about local shelters, food distribution centers, and healthcare facilities. Bringing flyers could be helpful depending on the person. It's good to know landmarks or encourage people go to locations for services that are nearby, increasing the chance that the person will go.

Do not give cash, but bring small items like socks, water bottles, bandaids, chapsticks or small snack items.

Hygiene and Personal Care

You can address basic hygiene needs by distributing hygiene kits containing essentials like soap, toothpaste, and personal care items. Provide information on local facilities offering showers and laundry services if possible.

Accompany individuals to service locations for added support is incredibly valuable. Offer to guide them to to shelters, community centers ,food distribution centers, or hospitals/clinics if you have time to. Provide emotional support during the process. Walking with a person will highly increase their chance of my making it to the service sites.

Mental health services

Assist with employment opportunities by connecting individuals with job training programs. Provide information on local employment agencies and offer them a spot in the Workforce Development DAO if there are openings.

Follow-Up