As Dallas County experiences a document variety of folks dwelling on the streets, the ‘Well being to Residence’ 24-month pilot program is aimed toward ending the cycle of homelessness for some.
“It’s really human of us to cease and to see when somebody is hurting,” Tikisa Jackson mentioned.
Jackson is the Director of Neighborhood Well being at CitySquare in Dallas, which is partnering with Texas Well being and Austin Avenue Middle to assist sick and injured folks experiencing homelessness get again on their ft via ‘Well being to Residence’.
“We all know that it is actually difficult to have the ability to recuperate on the streets after a surgical procedure or sickness,” Jackson mentioned. “And so finally, we’re breaking the cycle of homelessness as a result of they are not going to return to the streets.”
These in this system go to respite care below the supervision of a physician, nurse, and case employee. The subsequent step is non permanent housing to assist them get again on their ft.
“My survivability would have been zero,” Jason Mentzel mentioned. “When you begin getting in that type of a gap, it is so arduous to dig your approach out of it.”
Mentzel was out of a job with no place to reside when he received right into a automotive accident and significantly injured his leg. By ‘Well being to Residence’, Mentzel received medical care and is now in his personal condo close to Love Subject, seeking to the longer term.
“There’s not likely plenty of phrases to explain,” Mentzel mentioned. “It is a reduction, happiness, simply you’ll be able to lastly take a breath.”
When you do not have your well being or a spot to name residence, it is arduous to place the rest into place.
“There’s lots of people, whether or not they notice it or not, are two or three paychecks away from that taking place themselves,” Mentzel mentioned. “It may possibly all be taken away so rapidly.”
Mentzel’s condo has a desk full of artwork provides and books of his drawings and poems. He hopes to get again to engaged on his artistic passions, get a job, and ultimately a transfer to everlasting place of his personal.
