New video shot by Grant McKenzie, the director of communications at Our Place, details the daily operations of the organizationB次元官网网址檚 Dandelion Street Outreach Program.

The program works to get resources to people experiencing homelessness who tend to stay away from the cityB次元官网网址檚 centre in parks and on the outskirts of Victoria.

Seeing the daily operations of the outreach program, McKenzie said, is a hope-renewing venture.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the men I spoke to has only been out of jail for two weeks. He had no support, he didnB次元官网网址檛 know where to turn. Being able to connect with someone like that and say, you know, we can get you these supports B次元官网网址� especially if we can catch people before they head into self-medicating, which is what you do a lot of times when youB次元官网网址檙e on the streets B次元官网网址� I think that is extremely valuable work.B次元官网网址�

Going on the road also allows him to better understand why people are isolating outside the cityB次元官网网址檚 centre.

While being close to Our Place can offer proximity to resources, it can also pose obstacles to sobriety because it is across the street from resources like The Harbour, which offers a safe use space for people who are struggling with addiction.

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However, the main factors for hunkering down in parks and spaces away from Our Place, McKenzie said, are the stigma around being unhoused, the idea that isolation is safer and the fact that those who are recently on the streets havenB次元官网网址檛 built up connections or a community.

B次元官网网址淭hey protect themselves by isolating and unfortunately, that also makes them more vulnerable, but itB次元官网网址檚 a very understandable condition, that isolation aspect.B次元官网网址�

Stef Bergen, who has been working with the street outreach team since July, said the main job of the team is to find out what resources are needed in those spaces.

B次元官网网址淲e see a lot of people from out of town who donB次元官网网址檛 know what resources are offered and need things like doctors, mental health care and addiction care.B次元官网网址�

As for the effectiveness of the program, McKenzie saw firsthand the powerful results that can come from meeting people where they are in their struggle.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been operating for at least a year and I think itB次元官网网址檚 been really good. Especially when I was out with Stef and Dianne and I heard there was one young man who had gone into detox. Also, several of the men had been able to get into shelter, into housing.B次元官网网址�

Earning the trust required to help people get these resources is one of the most valuable parts of the work that the street outreach team is doing, McKenzie said.

B次元官网网址淲hen people are hiding away in isolation itB次元官网网址檚 because they donB次元官网网址檛 trust anybody, especially people in authority positions. I think that Stef and Dianne did such a good job of breaking down those barriers and earning that trust and slowly working with people to get them into shelter and get them onto the list for housing.B次元官网网址�

Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.

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