Garden Pathways and Dignity Health to Pilot First-of-its-Kind Homeless Outreach and Intervention Program
BAKERSFIELD, CA – August 15, 2018 – Mitigating homelessness in Bakersfield poses a difficult challenge, but Garden Pathways and Dignity Health are piloting an innovative homeless outreach and intervention program that could be key to a city-wide model. This program will support current efforts in the community.
The Homeless Outreach and Intervention Pilot will target the area surrounding Chester Avenue, Golden State Highway and Union Avenue, building on the successful 34th Street Neighborhood Transformation Project that Dignity Health and Garden Pathways launched in 2013 that has helped avert criminal activity, engage residents in caring for their neighborhood, and supports Stella Hills Elementary students and their families.
This first-of-its-kind local targeted approach to homelessness identifies the risks and needs within a defined area. The results will inform a multi-disciplinary outreach team that will coordinate services for homeless individuals and families, such as medical and mental health screenings, enrollment in health insurance, aftercare, and access to other resources.
Dignity Health will provide $100,000 to support the Homeless Outreach and Intervention Pilot that will be managed through Garden Pathways. The program will provide a comprehensive assessment study to be shared with other community neighborhoods and businesses impacted by increased homelessness. The case study will be used to create a model for homeless outreach and advocacy beyond the 34th Street neighborhood.
Garden Pathways and Dignity Health will hold a press conference to kick off this new partnership.
Date: Monday, August 20, 2018
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Weill Park - 2601 Q Street, Bakersfield 93301
Garden Pathways CEO and Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, as well as representatives from Dignity Health, will be available for interviews.
For more information please call Juan Avila, COO, Garden Pathways, Inc., (661) 633-9133.
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About Dignity Health Mercy Hospital
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospital has a history of caring for our community that goes back more than 100 years. We provide a broad range of medical and surgical services including minimally invasive, robotic, and outpatient options. Our family of services includes the area's only inpatient oncology unit, the Mercy Weight Loss Surgery Program, Orthopedic, Spine, and Hand Center, Family Birth Center, the Lactation Support Center and retail store, and many others. Mercy Hospital Downtown is a 194-bed facility located in downtown Bakersfield. Mercy Hospital Southwest is a 78-bed facility and the only hospital located in the rapidly growing area west of Highway 99. Mercy Hospital is a member of Dignity Health and is a trusted community partner, serving residents of Bakersfield and Kern County with quality, compassionate care since 1910. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/mercybakersfield and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Publish date:
Wednesday, August 15, 2018