When the Alliance was formed in 2006, the property owners of Downtown decided to hire a full-time social outreach worker as part of the Ambassador team to establish relationships with the at-risk population.
For many, the simple issue of not having proper identification is all that stands between remaining on the streets and getting the help they need. Our full time social outreach worker works with individuals to get their birth certificate, ID, transportation to doctor appointments and other essentials. Donations to DCA’s Downtown Homeless Fund allows us to help individuals obtain IDs, birth certificates and other items such as winter coats, socks, medical supplies and transportation.
It is especially difficult for individuals to get to their appointments without transportation assistance, therefore DCA provides transportation with a dedicated fifteen-passenger van giving people rides to doctor appointments, job training and other services that will help them improve their situation. By calling 216-621-6000, any homeless individual in Downtown can call our operations center and request a pick up.
There are several other local social series agencies in the County that also provide direct assistance including Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, Frontline Services and Care Alliance.
Through these initiatives, DCA invests approximately $150,000 annually to assist those in need.