Street outreach is rarely predictable, but that’s what makes it so important. It often means walking wooded trails in search of encampments, checking under bridges, or spending time in local shelters and food pantries. It’s about being present where unhoused individuals live their everyday lives, meeting them with compassion and real resources.
Earlier this month in Manchester, Dan, a Street Outreach Care Coordinator, spent time at a shelter in Manchester where various outreach programs share their services. Encounters can be hit or miss, especially when searching for Veterans, who make up a relatively small portion of the homeless population in New Hampshire, but on this particular day, Dan had the honor of meeting a U.S. Navy Veteran whose story struck a chord.
This Veteran had recently lost his housing after new property owners opted for renovations he could no longer afford. With a disability and limited income, he suddenly found himself without a home. After a conversation to learn more about his situation, Dan realized he was eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A quick call to a VA colleague set things into motion. Within hours, he met with a VA outreach team, launched the process for housing assistance and additional disability benefits, and began crafting a hopeful path forward.
“When I discover a Veteran who has been experiencing homelessness, it isn’t just about shelter, it’s about restoring dignity to someone who has given so much for our nation,” said Dan. “It’s about helping bring a sense of peace, stability, and belonging that may have seemed lost and out of reach to the Veteran.”
Stories like this one serve as a reminder: behind every outreach effort is a team of dedicated individuals ready to lift someone up when they need it most.