New ‘Street Outreach’ partnership with police helps people experiencing homelessness
Thanks to your support of this year’s Down for the Challenge rappelling event and fundraiser, The Salvation Army can actively search the streets for people experiencing homelessness and help them start a better life.
This month, The Salvation Army launched a new Street Outreach partnership that allows our caseworkers to ride along with Columbia Heights police officers, find people in need, and provide critical resources such as food, clothing, and shelter.
“This work is so important,” said caseworker Quita Curtis, who leads The Salvation Army's Street Outreach efforts. “The police officers know all the hot spots and encampments where people experiencing homelessness are known to be. When we find them, my job is to meet them where they are at, build rapport, show love, and offer help.”
Quita’s first day of Street Outreach under the new partnership took place Wednesday, when a Columbia Heights police officer brought her to a homeless man who was resting on the grass in a small park (pictured).
At first, the man was skeptical of Quita’s motives. She assured him that The Salvation Army was there to help him, with no strings attached. She then gave him food and water, and offered to bring him a raincoat.
The man raised his eyebrows and said, “A rain jacket would be good so that my clothes don’t get soaked.”
The man softened his demeanor and proceeded to tell Quita his story, saying he had arrived in Minnesota on a bus from Colorado, and he had no friends or family in the world.
Quita listened to the man for almost an hour. Together, they made several positive steps, including:
- The man agreed to tour and possibly stay at one of The Salvation Army’s local shelters.
- He agreed to let Quita list him in Minnesota’s Coordinated Entry System, which allows local nonprofits and government agencies to share information about specific people who are experiencing homelessness and the resources they need to stabilize.
- He agreed to allow Quita to research his eligibility for social security benefits. With these benefits, he could qualify for permanent-supportive housing and escape homelessness.
The following day, Quita brought the man lunch and took him to a nearby Salvation Army location for a hot shower.
The man was so grateful for Quita’s help that he offered one of his t-shirts as a present. She politely declined, saying she was happy to be of service to him.
“Street outreach is important because there are people from all walks of life who find it hard to walk into a building to ask for assistance,” Quita said. “It takes a lot for anyone, including myself, to ask for help when it's needed. Being able to do this with my great colleagues at The Salvation Army is a blessing.”
The new Street Outreach partnership is made possible by the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program from Minnesota Housing. Through this program, Quita will hit the streets every Wednesday and Thursday through September 2025.
Columbia Heights Police Chief Matt Markham is thrilled about this partnership and the lives it will change in the community.
“Quita is a big asset to the Columbia Heights Police Department and has successfully helped us find housing for people in the past,” he said. “I am happy to leverage our long-standing relationship with The Salvation Army to help our community with the increase in individuals experiencing homelessness.”
Are you Down for the Challenge? You can support The Salvation Army’s efforts to fight homelessness by giving a donation or signing up for our Down for the Challenge urban rappelling event with the Minnesota Vikings. This adrenaline-pumping fundraiser takes place Saturday, July 27 at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel during Vikings training camp.