Working at the Poverello Center has been an experience that taught me the profound impact of collaboration in supporting our community. Over the years, we’ve dedicated significant effort to forging strong relationships with other agencies, particularly those in emergency services.
This teamwork has already started to benefit not just the individuals we serve, but also our staff and emergency service members, making a meaningful difference in the lives of our unhoused neighbors and addressing homelessness in our community.
In the fall of 2020, a major milestone was achieved with the launch of the Mobile Support Team (MST) by the Missoula Fire Department and Partnership Health Clinic. This initiative aims to provide appropriate care to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Their mission, as stated on their website, is “to provide the right care in the right setting to people experiencing urgent behavioral health needs.” This service is particularly beneficial for our guests at the Poverello Center, who often feel more comfortable interacting with EMTs or licensed mental health clinicians rather than law enforcement. When MST arrives at our shelter on Broadway or the Johnson Street Shelter, we know they’re committed to finding the best solution for the crisis at hand.
One individual, we will call him Jake, was staying at the Johnson St shelter and had been there for a few weeks. Jake never thought he would end up in a shelter, or need their services, but life took a few unexpected turns and he ended up without housing and struggling with mental health issues. One really cold night, when the shelter was extremely full, Jake’s anxiety was extremely high and he just couldn’t manage it anymore.
Staff tried to deescalate the situation, but they were unsuccessful. Jake’s behavior became alarming to staff and other guests of the shelter. When they made a call for help, it wasn’t the police that showed up, it was the Mobile Support Team. They arrived quickly, but calmly. They listened to Jake with understanding and offered comfort to him. Their approach was not confrontational at all. The mobile support team decided, with Jake’s permission, to take him to our local crisis receiving center. There, he found the care he needed, in a quiet environment. This intervention not only averted a potentially traumatic encounter with law enforcement but also assisted Jake in finding the care he needed for his anxiety. When you have the appropriate support for the situation, it can make such a big difference.
Our collaboration with the Missoula Police Department is another critical aspect of ensuring safety within our community. While the relationship between policing and homelessness is a complex and often contentious topic, as discussed in last month’s blog, we’ve found that fostering strong relationships between our staff and police officers is essential for creating a safe and stable environment in our shelters. This partnership extends beyond mere enforcement; some officers have gone above and beyond, assisting individuals experiencing homelessness by fixing their vehicles so they can get to work, while others have displayed remarkable compassion by ensuring nobody is left sleeping on a cold sidewalk during the harsh winter months. These acts of kindness and support demonstrate our shared commitment to the well-being of all residents.
Emergency departments frequently serve as the first point of care for individuals experiencing homelessness, especially those without a primary care provider. Recognizing this need, we partnered with Partnership Health Center to establish a satellite clinic in our Broadway location’s lobby. This clinic, along with our medical respite program that offers a safe space for guests to recover from illness or injury based on healthcare provider referrals, forms a crucial part of a comprehensive system supporting recovery from medical crises.
Running an emergency shelter means we often encounter guests in various states of crisis. Our daily operations involve managing these difficult situations, always prioritizing the needs of both our staff and our guests. We’re committed to making these processes smoother and more comfortable for everyone involved, continuously striving to enhance our collaborations and improve our services.
By building and nurturing these vital partnerships, we’re not just providing immediate assistance but also paving the way for long-term solutions and better outcomes for our community. Together, we’re making a difference, one step at a time.