Q&A with Avivo’s Street Outreach Team

Avivo’s Street Outreach Team goes out every day to ensure unhoused individuals are staying as safe as possible, that they’re getting access to services, and more. In this Q&A we talked with Street Outreach Program Manager Kassie Davis and Street Outreach Navigator Ashley Cheney to find out more about what their team does.

What does a typical day look like?

Our schedule varies based on what’s going on, either with the weather or with encampment closures. Every day is different. We’ll work to make sure people have the supplies they need, that they’re as safe as can be, and that they have a supportive person to talk to. On a slow day, we’ll talk to at least 50 people, and on a busier day sometimes up to 100 people.

When an encampment is being closed we try to get out there as early and quickly as possible. We try to help people break down their tents, find out where they’re going. Find them transportation. Those days involve tons of communication, because we’re communicating with people outside – either residents or camp leaders.

Sometimes there are move-ins, which are a priority and we pivot to accommodate someone’s move to housing. A move-in can be to Avivo Village, but it can also be to another location where Avivo provides services.

Why do people choose to live on the street?

No one chooses to live on the street. There’s not a single person who doesn’t want to sleep in a safe place, with a warm meal. Everyone wants housing but there are barriers such as mental health, background, chemical health, not a space like Avivo Village where they can come in exactly how they are and still have housing.

What is something most people inaccurately assume about outreach work?

One misconception we see is a lot of people who don’t understand Harm Reduction (don’t know what that is? Learn about it in this Q&A) think that we’re encouraging people to use drugs.

We give out Harm Reduction kits, including Naloxone, also known as Narcan, and people don’t understand how we’re actually saving lives by doing that. The reality is that if we’re not giving out those kits, people might be using old and worn out supplies that might be more dangerous.

We’re supporting individuals while they’re living with an addiction, but we’re trying to keep them safe and alive. That way, when they’re in a place with a roof over their head, three meals a day, and not worrying about survival, like Avivo Village – that’s when they can worry about anything else.

Getting sober isn’t a straight shot. It’s nearly impossible to want to be sober when you’re worried about where you’re going to sleep, what you’re going to eat, and how not to get robbed or hurt or assaulted. Sobriety isn’t at the top of the list when you’re concerned about survival.

How do you stay connected to people you meet?

It can be a challenge to stay connected to people who don’t have stable housing. A big thing is that if people don’t have phones, we need to have set hours, like 9 a.m. to noon, where we’ll be in one spot. That spot might be Avivo Village, where we can give them supplies, they can get a meal, ask us questions.

Otherwise, we go out in the community. We say, “We’ll be here tomorrow. Does this time work and we’ll come to you?” A lot of it is follow-through on our part and developing trust by making sure people know we’ll always be true to our word. We’ll bring supplies, we bring referrals to services. We make it as easy as possible… we will go to you.

What have you learned from the people you meet on the street?

We’ve learned so much! One thing, everyone has their own story and they’re some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. The people we meet come from all different walks of life.

One of the biggest is you hear so many people’s stories, and I’ve never met a group of people so motivated to continue on. No matter what – mental health, treatment, jail – they’re motivated to get to the next step. It makes you reflect a lot on your own life and realize how incredibly inspirational these people we meet are.

Everyone has a plan for getting sober/not getting sober, their next goal, next move. They have plans and dreams. They’re motivated to get there. All they need is a step up or a chance, or someone to walk with them along the journey.

How do you gain the trust of people and build rapport?

Building trust is a lengthy process. We build trust by always showing up and building rapport. If you don’t have that you’re not housing anybody, and you’re not really helping.

We show up no matter what, regardless of if it’s an encampment closing or it’s 90 degrees out or if it’s -10. We show them we’ll be there if it’s hard or not.

What culturally specific services do you offer and what are some community partnerships you have?

We offer a variety of culturally specific services. One important one is that we have a spiritual guidance counselor five days a week. He can transport to ceremony, he smudges daily, he brings people to Pow Wows and sweat lodges. Having him here helps a lot.

In the field, we have individuals on our team who are native, Sue has a Hmong background. Having representation on our team physically, in terms of gender, background, age, race.

How can I help?

Many of our Urgent Needs Kits or Wish List items are related to our Street Outreach Team. Donating something like a Travel-Sized Hygiene Kit or volunteering to put together Harm Reduction Kits can make an immediate difference.

As Kassie and Ashley share, Avivo needs your help to provide urgent needs to individuals who are living unsheltered. You can find more information on volunteering at Avivo here, and you can make a financial donation here.