ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Snow is piling up and temperatures are dropping, leaving homeless people in the community vulnerable. News10NBC’s Chris Fortune followed House of Mercy’s homeless outreach team to see how it’s helping.
The street outreach team at House of Mercy is out four to five days a week. The outreach team coordinator said it has been successful in alleviating the trauma of being outside in the cold and snow.
Lam Bui helps unhoused people get into shelter. He makes observations about people who may need help, such as someone walking outside in the cold without gloves.
“The approach is really chill. It’s very human. It’s a if you were walking down the street and you’re saying hi to someone, how are you doing?” Bui said. “You know, we’re trying to meet people where they’re at, emotionally, physically, mentally, like, you name it.”
Chris took a ride with Bui and outreach team member Nate Maniscalco. They have a list of areas to visit compiled with the help of the Rochester Police Department.
“We’ll just talk about, different ways, you know, to combat, what’s going on for, like, the homeless community and different encampments we find and we’ll share with each other,” Maniscalco said.
At the first tent, they asked for a hygiene bag and water. Nate and Lam are helping provide resources that people need to survive in the cold.
They also hand out tarps, sleeping bags and hand warmers.
“Hey, can I ask if y’all need a tarp? Like a tarp that goes over your tent? Yeah. You do? Okay,” Bui said.
Then they were back on the road as the street outreach team looked for more people to help.
“It’s touching grass. It’s pulling people out of ivory towers, off their laptops and actually serving the people directly,” said Maniscalco.
Sometimes, people in need find them. One man who wanted to remain anonymous came to Lam and Nate while they were helping another person and asked for gloves.
“They’re the small things that really save people’s lives. And they don’t even realize it. Like, and just knowing the fact that somebody else cares. It means a lot to people,” Bui said.
The team made it back to the House of Mercy, where Lam provides case management to about a dozen people. The House of Mercy helps around 100 people a day by providing meals, clothing, and a place to sleep.
House of Mercy’s homeless outreach team helps those in need get shelter WHEC.com.
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