Serving the Most Vulnerable in Chelan/Douglas Counties
by Christina McCarthy
It has always been the mission of Catholic Charities to aid and support the underserved and most vulnerable. In Chelan and Douglas Counties, Catholic Charities provides meaningful outreach to homeless individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues through the Transitional Health Program, offering case management services to people living on the streets.The Outreach Team works with the homeless, meeting them in parks and at the local soup kitchen, getting to know individuals and checking in with them. For many who live on the streets, members of the Outreach Team are the only friendly faces they see and are often what keeps them going.
The team invites men and women to consider getting support to help them overcome homelessness. Often, that is counseling and medication, as well as treatment for substance abuse. Some do not want help, but some are hoping for a fresh start, and the support offered by the Outreach Team is truly a lifesaver.
Team Lead Sarah Baxter recently shared a story about “Ron,” a previously homeless individual. The Outreach Team had talked with Ron several times before he disappeared for a time. Then, about two months later, Ron called the Outreach Team. He missed his kids and was filled with remorse and regret for the life he was living. He was ready to get clean and sober and start over.
Unfortunately, the treatment center couldn’t take Ron in that week, as it was quarantined with a COVID outbreak. This could have ended Ron’s resolve, as he would need to continue living on the streets. But Sarah stepped in, and with funding dedicated to people entering treatment, was able secure a hotel room until a bed was available for him. That, along with the support of a certified peer counselor, helped Ron stay on track with his recovery plan.
Ron stayed at the hotel for a week, until the treatment center was ready. Twenty-eight days later, he graduated from treatment, and from there went straight into a sober recovery house. After six months, Ron received support from the Catholic Charities Permanent Supportive Housing Program. He has a job, and an apartment, and is working toward purchasing a car. He is in contact with his kids. He has stayed connected with his Peer Counselors, who understand the road he is on.
Shawn DeLancy, who leads the Transitional Health team, explains that the team’s work will never be completely done. “They [the team] spend at least 60 percent of their time on the streets, and there are continually new people living there. COVID and the fentanyl crisis have had huge negative impacts on the homeless community,” he says.
But hope lives and thrives, and successes like Ron’s feed their hearts and souls. The connections they form are truly life-changing, and lifesaving.
What’s a Peer Counselor?
For many experiencing homelessness, trust is a challenge. Peer Counselors are key in helping overcome this barrier, and the success of an individual’s journey to healing is often dependent upon the trust developed with their Peer Counselor.
Peer Counselors are unique. They are familiar with the challenges that their clients are facing. They have all either traveled the road of addiction, mental health issues, and/or experienced homelessness themselves, or with a loved one. Having experienced – and recovered from – the same trials and walls faced by their clients, gives the Peer Counselor a truly intimate insight and perspective of the challenges faced by their clients. Peer Counselors with the Catholic Charities are certified through the Washington State Health Care Authority, where they complete intensive training and exams. Once certified, they continue to take additional training that helps them use their own life experiences to assist others.