After years of dreaming, planning, pleading, a pandemic and a duel with Murphy’s
Rules, Transitions DMC finally began accepting houseless people a year ago — Jan.
20, 2022, to be precise.
Were there any doubt that such a facility was needed, in that year, the facility at
Main and Angular streets logged nearly 4,000 overnight stays. Again, to be precise
and for emphasis: 3,933 overnight stays. That represents 236 adults and 16 children.
Stays have ranged from a single night to 67 days.
Still more came to use the kitchen, shower, and seek help securing medical cards and
help navigating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
In the past year, Transitions DMC has helped 31 people find stead employment, 10
have moved into permanent housing with relatives, three now are housed in assisted
living facilities, nursing homes, or group homes. Another 20 have found apartments of
their own, Part of that is helping people find correct documentation. Transitions DMC
has helped 22 people get Social Security card replacements. Eighteen people
needed help getting their birth certificate and Transitions DMC helped another 22
secure identification cards.
During the pre-Christmas cold snap, Transitions DMC operated a warming center that
was by 20 people.
The reasons for houselessness are varied and complex but the need is evident. Our
mission is to offer a hand up, not a hand out. We have started to fulfill that with the
generous support of many local people. We thank them for their support.
Craig Fenton
Transitions DMC