Campus Highlights: Dragonfly

Story provided by Kenneth Ranger and Mark Schuettinger

“Our success stories usually start out with a warm meal. Which is exactly what we were doing in Reid Park Sept. 2022, when we met the couple Veronica F. and Jesus G. The couple told us they had been sleeping in the park for about a month or two. They were there because it was the safest place they could be with their son. We asked if we could meet him and after a few minutes, they returned with "Moses". We quickly saw that Moses had Down Syndrome. The parents told us that he was 20 years of age and was unable to speak. 

Moses was the sweetest, most loving person I've ever met. Even though he is unable to speak, and homeless, he will give you a smile and the most thankful, loving hug. I told my team to visit this family in the park every day and let them know they were not alone. For the next three months the team would take them food, water, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, and provided transportation to various appointments we had set up for them. Such as to the Department of Economic Services, Homeless Court, the Social Security Office and Motor Vehicle Department to obtain identification, and even the methadone clinic. Veronica and Jesus were hopelessly homeless due to their substance abuse issues. They saw no way out.”

“We continued to work with the family, despite Veronica being worried that they would get Moses taking away to "The System". We kept coaching and conducting case management and giving support. We brought in additional resources like Alex Manriquez with the "Homeless Outreach" for the City of Tucson. Alex was able to get the family approved for rapid re-housing. As of December 2022, the family received a Section 8 Housing voucher and hotel vouchers until they move into their permanent home. 

Most recently, we met an engaged young couple living in their broken-down car and "couch surfing" they said with friends and family sometimes. The couple were also dealing with substance abuse and legal issues. We took them to Homeless Court, got a warrant quashed for one and probation reinstated for the other.  We helped get their IDs and at that point we were finally ready for the big appointment for their Housing voucher. We transported them to the Section 8 Office where they received their Housing voucher! Again, this meeting started with "Hi, Are you folks hungry?’”