From Our Perspective – Emily Harms
OFC staff are often asked what it is like to do street outreach. This is one of our stories. Emily Harms has worked with OFC since the program’s inception in 2016.
If we do outreach well, we might get a smile, hello or conversation. If we do it right, maybe we get an invitation to develop a relationship and earn trust. If we succeed, we see a transformation.
Frank was our first contact when we hit the streets in June of 2016. He was friendly, engaging and always intoxicated when we interacted. He spoke of his time in prison, anger and spirits that would haunt him daily. He was his own worst enemy and at 50, the years had not been kind. His faith was strong, and he spoke of it often. He rarely engaged with services and slept where he could find a safe spot, which never was very safe.
The team worked with Frank for over a year and met with him often to coordinate services. His first attempt at a sober life failed. But he tried again, and it stuck. We didn’t recognize him when we saw him after a year away. He had put on weight, but there was something more, a brightness. He spoke with conviction and confidence of the future. The eternal light about him now sparkled. He had transformed . . . HE had succeeded!