outreach to homeless adults

Street outreach serves 20-80 people every Wednesday and Thursday evening regardless of weather, with food, clothing, counseling, referral to services, prayer, and worship. Staff and volunteers act as a bridge from the streets to accessing additional help and resources. During the day, staff continue to engage individuals and conduct follow-up outreach at hospitals, medical shelters and the like. Staff and volunteers seek to build trusting relationships with individuals who are often reluctant to access larger institutions like shelters. Through these relationships many have begun the transition off the street.

Many people we serve struggle with issues of substance abuse, mental illness and serious health problems. Many do not trust service providers and resist treatment programs. Others want a shelter bed but cannot get one.

Opportunity Resource Center (ORC)
Located at our offices in the South End, the ORC is a safe, supportive environment for 20-80 individuals two days a week, offering them clothing, showers, haircuts, voice mail, resources, snacks and case management. Starlight opened the ORC in November 2003.

Counseling/Case Management   When individuals are ready to take the steps necessary to leave homelessness, Starlight staff work with them to develop and follow individualized plans for health care, housing, substance abuse and mental health services, job training, etc. We guide and support individuals, provide counseling and access to resources, and help them with additional life skills mentoring.