You may remember that in May of 2022 we posted about our neighbor that was living on the streets with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Seven months later, In the beginning of November, he was finally placed in a group home that offered special services. He is now receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy and other much needed services for rehabilitation.
The consequences of self medicating, the inability to receive proper medication combined with the unforgiving hardship of living outside for so many years have left some new challenges. This time, he will be living indoors in a nurturing home with people to help him face his new challenges.
Had there been no Resource Center, we would not have had the opportunity to intervene on his behalf. It took a team of four from The Father’s Heart and a tenacious Clackamas County A&D Behavioral Needs Care Coordinator seven months to find a place to receive him! This team sought him out when he was unable to seek help. Through cell phone appointments happening on the street, documentation of his condition to prove he was worthy of receiving Disability services, and bringing food and clothing when he could no longer get to us, we were able to sustain him as he waited to qualify to live inside. Others living on the street were also pitching in to watch out for him and call in concerns.
Advocacy is extremely important. It can’t happen efficiently without a place of safety and compassionate, relational services. It can’t happen if people assume that someone else will come by and help. Please, if you see someone that looks like they need help, call non-emergency and ask for an officer to provide a welfare check. When a community keeps calling in it’s concerns, it is documented and gives tools for those in social services to get the attention of much needed services.
