Project Helping Hands

PROJECT HELPING HANDS (PHH)

Project Helping Hands (PHH) was created as a mobile outreach program in the Central District of Detroit for homeless people who were experiencing problems related to substance use, serious mental illness or both. The program originated as a pilot project of the Detroit Health Department, Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (BSAPTR), sponsored by Detroit Police Department (DPD). PHH was expanded when the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency made collaboration with the Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) possible. The combined knowledge and experience of NSO and BSAPTR were great assets to the new program, even though blending of the two diverse organizational cultures presented its challenges. PHH operated multidisciplinary mobile outreach teams with extraordinary dedication for three years, at which time severe financial constraints forced the program to shut down.

Potential PHH consumers were contacted by outreach staff on regular van rounds in areas of downtown Detroit where homeless people chose to congregate. Three areas were of particular concern over night: Hart Plaza, Capital Park and Michigan Central Station. Hart Plaza attracted an entire community of homeless people seeking alternative shelter and warmth from the steam grates. Capital Park was active with substance use and prostitution in the evening. In the Michigan Central Station area, people could easily remain hidden from public view. Occasionally, police officers, concerned citizens, hospital staff and members of the business community referred people to PHH.

Every day, PHH outreach teams worked to engage homeless people with substance use and/or mental health problems in systems of care: offering temporary shelter or transitional housing and opportunities to obtain medical, mental health, substance use and short-term case management services. Many who accepted assistance received care coordination, along with the housing and treatment they needed, including:

  • Primary care referrals, medication assistance, disability benefits
  • Job assistance, state identification or work visa
  • Food care packages and assistance to obtain bridge cards
  • Clothing and household goods