The Cosmic Impact of Street Outreach
For more than a year, BUILD CDC's street outreach nurse, Sarah Prylinski, has been working to build trust with a local woman, Moonbeam. (A nickname chosen by her and used with permission to protect her privacy.)
When they recently crossed paths at the UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center, Moonbeam confided in Sarah about the worsening condition of the apartment she was renting. She'd pleaded for repairs numerous times, but the landlord had ignored them.
At Moonbeam's invitation, Sarah went to see the apartment for herself and was aghast at the conditions. Raw sewage more than waist high stagnated in the basement. Windowpanes were completely missing, exposing Moonbeam to the elements. Mold. Rodents. Broken locks on the front door. A malfunctioning stove that popped so loudly Moonbeam feared it might explode.
These were only a few issues on a long list of problems at the rental, each with a potentially serious health consequence.
It was clear to Sarah that these living conditions were not only compromising Moonbeam's health, but also her sense of safety, security, and emotional well-being. It wasn't long before code enforcement arrived. They immediately deemed the house unfit for human habitation and required all tenants to evacuate immediately.
Moonbeam's first thought was of Sunshine, her dear friend, who resided in the apartment below her.
Their nicknames, Sunshine and Moonbeam, are terms of endearment, fondly given to one another as the duo grew closer in their friendship.
Now, facing homelessness, they would need this friendship more than ever.
Ineligible for emergency shelter services, the friends' only option was finding new apartments. And fast. But how? Where?
Moonbeam knew just who to call.
Sarah, alongside BUILD CDC Executive Director, Laura Guncheon, set to work helping them. They called Paul Hamilton with East Side Renaissance (ESR), who graciously offered his assistance. Within a matter of hours, BUILD, ESR, and other community partners, rallied to the aid of the two displaced women and found them housing. This quick activation would not have been possible without strong partnerships between nimble and mission-focused organizations.
The outcome? More than heartwarming. For the past three weeks, Moonbeam and Sunshine have been settling into their cozy new dwellings.
"I love it here," said Sunshine. "This is a great place. It's secure. And it's warm."
"This is 100% better," agreed Moonbeam. "That other place was horrible."
Their gratitude is evident in their smiles as much as their words.
"Without UPMC and Sarah," said Moonbeam, "I don't know where I would be right now. We'd be struggling, you know?"
Nodding, Sunshine said, "We are very appreciative."
The things most HHF newsletter readers take for granted--hot water, a warm house, the security of a locked door--are the foundations of good health. Because of BUILD, ESR, and others, these two friends now have a solid foundation. And through continued outreach and support, we expect they'll achieve not only better health but a better life.
