PATH Homeless Outreach
What is PATH Homeless Outreach?
- PATH stands for Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homeless. PATH is a federally funded program through Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services meant to help individuals experiencing homelessness connect to mental health services and transition out of homelessness.
What does PATH Homeless Outreach do?
- PATH operates in two settings: in homeless shelters and in outreach. In the homeless shelters, PATH workers screen individuals for mental health and work with them on receiving mental health services if they are interested. In outreach, PATH workers frequent locations where homeless individuals typically sleep to attempt to connect them to our services. Individuals experiencing homelessness are also able to call the PATH office if seeking our services. PATH works with street outreach clients for any services that they need, not just mental health. These are the clients that we are able to assist in getting into their own housing or into shelter.
My Initial Experience with PATH
I initially applied at GCBHS due to my interest in mental illness, and to be completely honest, I was not sure what I was getting myself into. Coming into this role, I was immersed into a world completely new to me. The homeless system is something that I had zero experience in; however, I was eager to learn quickly and begin changing lives. Through the help of great supervisors and coworkers, I was able to acclimate to the circumstances swiftly and smoothly to begin confidently offering services to homeless individuals in Cincinnati. Listed below are the 3 major obstacles I needed to overcome to efficiently start perform my job.
3 Major Obstacles:
3 Major Obstacles:
- Contact with possible clients: At first, it was very difficult to initiate contact with individual that was homeless. I could not imagine the situation that they were going through, and this made it hard to find a connection with them. However, I quickly became comfortable speaking with any individual in the community, homeless or not. I realized that homeless people are, in fact, people the same as the rest of us that found themselves in a poor situation.
- Learning resources: The amount of resources available to homeless individuals was astounding and motivating but proved to be difficult to learn about and connect with. Understanding all of these resources became incredibly important to assist my clients.
- Understanding homeless systems: The homeless system is very different from any other system I have been apart of. Because of the circumstances that homeless individuals live in, putting together a plan and setting that plan into action can be very time-consuming. On some days, a PATH worker may not find the individual that they are looking for for an important appointment. Although frustrating at times, it is crucial to understand how homeless individuals and their resources operate.
My Reflection
I can genuinely say that my work with PATH Homeless Outreach has completely changed the way I see life. First off, I want to talk about the horrible conditions that homeless individuals are forced to live in. Most of us only see the homeless man standing on the corner asking for money. By working at PATH, I was able to see where homeless people eat, sleep, and live. Sleeping under bridges in piles of trash to stay warm is devastating to see; however, this makes one so thankful for the roof over their head that they so often take for granted. This has not only made me more grateful for the little things in my life, but it has also made me more willing to give.
Secondly, the work I have been able to do to positively change the direction of many individual's lives has been one of the most gratifying actions I have been able to do in my life and has made me realize that helping people is the direction that my life will go in. The first time I received a housing match for one of my clients, I was excited; however, I did not truly understand the impact that it would have on my client's life. When the client and I went to sign the lease and receive the keys for his apartment, I saw just how much his life had changed. I have been able to facilitate the housing of many homeless individuals in Hamilton County, all of which are moments that I will never forget. I have also been fortunate enough to have touched the lives of hundreds of homeless individuals by screening them for mental health and giving them options to receive mental health services.
Lastly, the most impactful lesson that I have learned while working with PATH is that all people are just people, like you and I. Many homeless individuals suffer from mental illness or addiction, both of which can inhibit an individual's ability to make decisions that will help put them in a better place. Most homeless individuals in Hamilton County have the desire to obtain their own housing, but because of many barriers, including the affordable housing crisis, are not able to do so. However, the homeless are some of the most grateful and respectful people I have ever encountered. Sooner, rather than later, I hope to see a world where all people have a place to sleep at night, no matter the illnesses or impairments that they suffer from.
Secondly, the work I have been able to do to positively change the direction of many individual's lives has been one of the most gratifying actions I have been able to do in my life and has made me realize that helping people is the direction that my life will go in. The first time I received a housing match for one of my clients, I was excited; however, I did not truly understand the impact that it would have on my client's life. When the client and I went to sign the lease and receive the keys for his apartment, I saw just how much his life had changed. I have been able to facilitate the housing of many homeless individuals in Hamilton County, all of which are moments that I will never forget. I have also been fortunate enough to have touched the lives of hundreds of homeless individuals by screening them for mental health and giving them options to receive mental health services.
Lastly, the most impactful lesson that I have learned while working with PATH is that all people are just people, like you and I. Many homeless individuals suffer from mental illness or addiction, both of which can inhibit an individual's ability to make decisions that will help put them in a better place. Most homeless individuals in Hamilton County have the desire to obtain their own housing, but because of many barriers, including the affordable housing crisis, are not able to do so. However, the homeless are some of the most grateful and respectful people I have ever encountered. Sooner, rather than later, I hope to see a world where all people have a place to sleep at night, no matter the illnesses or impairments that they suffer from.
What You Can Do To Help
Call the PATH Homeless Outreach Office at 513-814-3886 if you know someone that is experiencing homelessness and wants to receive help!