In each group throughout Louisiana, there are individuals dwelling with out the fundamental safety of a house. They’re our neighbors, even when they continue to be unseen. At START CORP, we consider that serving people who’re experiencing homelessness is just not solely an ethical obligation but additionally a matter of group well being, dignity and shared duty.
Homelessness is just not a situation that defines an individual. Too usually it’s an expertise formed by trauma, financial hardship, behavioral-health challenges or systemic inequities. The people we work with want compassion and sensible options.
Since START CORP’s founding in 1984, we now have devoted ourselves to strolling alongside these most in want, guaranteeing they don’t seem to be outlined by the place they sleep however by their potential to dwell more healthy, empowered lives.
In 2024, UNITY reported over 1,400 people had been experiencing homelessness within the metropolis and surrounding Jefferson Parish. In the identical 12 months, START CORP served 21,114 purchasers statewide, connecting individuals to the housing, healthcare and supportive providers they should regain stability.
Our outreach groups go instantly into the group to attach people with housing case administration, peer help and pathways to stability. We function a girls’s shelter and a youth drop-in heart, providing secure areas for among the most weak amongst us. And thru supportive housing applications, we assist people transition out of homelessness into everlasting houses the place they will start to rebuild.
However housing alone is just not sufficient. Healthcare is a crucial a part of the answer. With ongoing funding from federal grants, state contracts and philanthropic help, START CORP plans to develop its providers even additional within the coming years, significantly in New Orleans. The company is working to develop a brand new clinic on the former St. Jude Group Middle.
The START Group Well being Middle at St. Jude will ship complete care within the French Quarter. The power is being developed over the subsequent 12 months to supply medical, dental, behavioral well being, restoration providers, pharmacy and housing help multi functional location.
The affect of those providers extends far past the people we instantly serve. When an unhoused particular person strikes into steady housing, they’re much less prone to cycle by emergency rooms, face encounters with the felony justice system or depend on pricey disaster providers. Communities profit by lowered pressure on public methods, safer neighborhoods and stronger native economies.
Nonetheless, too lots of our neighbors stay unhoused. Louisiana faces ongoing shortages in inexpensive housing and accessible behavioral well being care. That’s the reason collaboration is crucial. START CORP has constructed sturdy partnerships with native, state and federal businesses, well being methods and different nonprofit organizations to make sure our applications are sustainable and responsive.
However we can not do that work alone. It requires continued funding and a shared dedication from all sectors of our group – enterprise leaders, policymakers, group leaders and residents.
At START CORP, we see this fact day-after-day when somebody walks into our well being heart for care, indicators a lease for his or her first house after years of homelessness or just finds the help they should really feel hopeful once more.
By honoring the humanity of our unhoused neighbors and offering the instruments for restoration, we strengthen not solely particular person lives however the material of our total group. That may be a duty – and a privilege – that belongs to us all.
Casey Guidry, LCSW, is CEO of Begin Company.
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