Unhoused Outreach Program

Making the Shift

We all remember the moment we had to pivot in our work, the days where the global COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down and we all isolated so we could protect the most vulnerable in our community. Take the Next Step had to get creative so that we could still serve our most vulnerable neighbors, those who were unhoused. Three days a week, we loaded the TTNS van and met with our neighbors outside, in their area to provide basic items and continue to connect them to needed resources and services.

Ever Evolving

We quickly realized that the engagements we were having with our unhoused neighbors were deeper and had more positive impacts than our previous Drop-In Center model. Now, the Outreach Program partners with volunteers and local agencies to bring resources and information to the unhoused community in Monroe.  The program is built to meet people where they are at, reducing barriers such as transportation. The focus on support and connection through a regular schedule with access to basic materials maintained in our resource van.  We minimize barriers for those seeking assistance from treatment programs and medical and mental health assistance through strategic partnerships that permit more comprehensive referrals. Peer counselors are integrated into the field team to make direct contact regularly and build relationships. We maintain harm reduction and overdose prevention by free access to naloxone and stressing community support through relational volunteer engagement. We model continuum of care and wrap around support by providing navigation assistance in any category of need including housing, employment, legal, education, and more.  

If you are interested in learning more about Outreach, would like to donate items, or would like to consider volunteering, please complete the form below. In the message, let us know how you’d like to participate and we will connect with you ASAP!