Outreach: Connecting Day and Night

Why would anyone choose to stay on the street, especially during the harsh Boston winter? That’s a question Pine Street’s Outreach team seeks to answer every day. One could also ask why anyone would choose a job that means canvassing the streets in the bitter cold. It takes a certain kind of dedication to walk the 20,000 to 30,000 steps (roughly 10- 15 miles) that each team member walks daily.

No matter how extreme the weather, Pine Street’s staff of 17 daytime Outreach counselors walk the same streets as guests, braving the elements to ensure others’ well-being, particularly concerned about frostbite and hypothermia.

As Amanda Proctor, a clinical supervisor who has been doing this work for 13 years, explains, “People may be dealing with a host of issues, from mental illness to substance use disorder, and more.

“Many are afraid of the crowds in the shelter, or unable to follow shelter rules. They’d rather take their chances on the street.”

People often see Pine Street’s vans at night, but are not aware of the teams out on foot during the day, who search out vulnerable men and women and urge them to come inside to the warmth and safety of our shelters.

“We know many of the people who stay on the street,” Proctor says. “We come back day after day, build trust and gradually help them move onto the next steps — a number of people are able to move directly from the street into housing.”

“Housing is the goal,” she adds. “It’s not glamorous work, but it’s important for people to know that they’re not invisible or forgotten.”

The Pine Street team coordinates closely with the City of Boston, other providers and police and emergency services. They meet weekly to discuss strategies for keeping men and women safe.

As Michael Andrick, Pine Street’s director of outreach, proclaims, “We’re here to acknowledge the humanity in everyone. We never, ever, ever give up on anyone.”

If you see someone on the street who appears to be in distress, please call 911.

Outreach counselors go out on foot to reach vulnerable men and women