Bridge Outreach
Street outreach means stepping outside agency walls to engage with people experiencing homelessness, many of whom feel disconnected not only from mainstream services but also from essential resources and support systems.
We provide critical items needed for survival outside, such as tents, tarps, sleeping bags, water, and Bombas socks.
We directly assist individuals in obtaining vital documentation like photo IDs and birth certificates, applying for benefits such as food stamps and medical insurance, and completing SSI/SSDI applications. We also offer free notary services.
Resource coordination is a vital extension of our street outreach. Instead of a simple referral model, we use a continuous care approach, walking alongside those we serve at every step.
Through extensive collaboration with partner agencies and individuals, we help people access and navigate housing assessments, housing programs, shelter options as vacancies arise, legal services, and both street-based and clinic-based medical care.
Harm Reduction
We conceptualize all of the work we do as harm reduction— literally reducing the risk of harm to those living in unsafe environments or “at-risk” communities by meeting people where and how they are.
One key principle of harm reduction that is particularly important to our organization is the promotion of the overall health and well-being of people who use drugs.
Overdose Prevention
Accidental overdose is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. We work to reduce these fatalities by increasing access to fentanyl and xylazine test strips and providing Narcan, an opioid antagonist capable of reversing the effects of an otherwise fatal opioid overdose.
Since our program launched in 2019, our Narcan distribution has contributed to the reversal of over 1,000 opioid-related overdoses.
Safer Drug Use
Our commitment to expanding access to safer drug use supplies and practices reduces risks associated with injection and other forms of drug use including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other blood-borne infections. We distribute safe use kits, offer education and training, and assist with proper syringe disposal, helping individuals stay safer and healthier.
This work is made possible through our valued partnership with Prevention Point Pittsburgh.
Connection to Healthcare
Accessing medical care while living on the street can feel nearly impossible. We work to bridge this gap by connecting individuals to essential services, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, psychiatry, street medicine, and MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder), through close collaborations with providers. Recognizing the impact of institutional trauma, we focus on breaking down barriers to care. Our team educates on safer use practices, wound care, and treatment options for substance use, addressing concerns rooted in negative past experiences and widespread misconceptions. By linking individuals with compassionate, street-based providers, we ensure they receive essential resources and support, maintaining continuous engagement throughout their healthcare journey. Our collaborative approach facilitates more effective, long-term care.
Environmental Outreach
Our goal is straightforward but essential—to maintain cleanliness in areas where people experiencing homelessness live, offering a space free from trash and hazardous waste.
For people living in public spaces, sanitation is not just about cleanliness; it’s about reclaiming a sense of humanity. A well-maintained space helps foster a sense of pride in one’s environment, no matter how temporary. Ensuring clean living spaces helps reduce the health risks associated with unsanitary conditions, benefitting both residents and neighbors.
We seek to ultimately ensure that no one has to live surrounded by waste, restoring dignity in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness and the health of our shared community.