Four ways to help in the moment

Not sure how to support a neighbor or community member experiencing homelessness?

Try these tips from clients and staff, and print them out to carry with you:
English I Spanish

1. Start a Conversation

Remember: The person with lived experience is the expert on what they need. Get consent before taking action.

If you are approached by, or come across someone who might need help, ask them how they are, what they need and be sure to listen. If you feel comfortable, you can say something like:

“How are you?” I “What do you need?” I “I have an extra water bottle. Would you like it?”

2. Know who to call

After talking with your neighbor, ask who you should call. Save these numbers into your phone for easy access.

Shelter or resources:

Baltimore City Shelter Line: 443-984-9540 (Available Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.)

211: Maryland Helpline for information on food, substance use assistance, health care and more

Medical attention:

988: For immediate emotional support. You'll connect to a counselor who can help.

311: Non-emergency number

911: Only call if the person is an immediate threat to themselves or someone else.

Let them and anyone else nearby know police may show up.

3. Learn how to respond to an opioid overdose with Narcan

Narcan or Naloxone is a medication that reverses an opioid overdose.

Use these resources to get Narcan and learn how to use it:
Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition

dontdie.org

4. Contact us

If you know someone who wants to be connected to our services:

Contact Us
Give them our phone number: 410-837-5533

You’ll be connected with a Community Health Worker or Outreach Worker to figure out how we can best support your neighbor.

Profile

Ray Fitzberger

You gave Ray respite from the cold

Last winter, Ray Fitzberger got frostbite on his legs and feet. Doctors had to remove three toes on his left foot. Not long after the surgery, Ray was released from the hospital.

Every day, people we know and love undergo surgery to address life-threatening conditions. If they have no place to go, they get discharged back to the streets.

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1202

Dental care gave David a chance against cancer

We don’t know what the future holds for David.*

Before he could get his late-stage cancer treated, David’s oncologist told him that his mouth had to be cleared of all infection.

Parita Patel, our Dental Director, did what she could. She conducted an exam and pulled many of his infected teeth. But David needed oral surgery with sedation to safely remove all the damaged teeth.