Are you or someone you know sleeping in their car? Do you need help finding housing? Do you need medical support? Help with clothing, shoes or food? Check out Dane County Street Outreach Services.
Dane County Street Outreach Services is a collection of community organizations and nonprofits such as Urban Triage, Madison Street Medicine and Briarpatch with the mission to end unsheltered homelessness. Food insecurity is a prevailing struggle for many students in Madison. Joe Galey, a coordinator with Madison Street Medicine, says one way Dane Street Outreach Services helps out students is assistance with food.
Another popular service they provide is assistance navigating the healthcare system. Galey suggests that students “be vocal with other students and get active,” to support their peers that face hardships. If you are experiencing houselessness such as sleeping outside, in a vehicle or tent or expect to be homeless soon, you can easily contact Street Outreach Services at danesos.org/get-help/ for help or refer someone to their services.
They can provide you with one of their case managers to help find shelter, establish housing and set you up with agencies that specialize in your needs. They can also provide camping supplies and food, respond to medical concerns and help look for a place to be while not at the shelter. A wide variety of other services are offered by Dane Street Outreach Services as well. They can provide assistance with seasonal clothing and shoes, which is vital in Wisconsin’s climate. Reproductive and harm reduction supplies are available that anyone is welcome to explore.
An upcoming event is the Foot Care Clinic on the second Saturday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Beacon Day shelter. Dane Street Outreach Services provides community members with socks, shoes and foot care with no cost to them.
Ultimately, to support people facing homelessness Galey says, “get involved in your community, be proactive and talk to your legislators.”
To contact Dane County Street Outreach Services online you can email [email protected], call (888) 817-4155 or go to their website Danesos.org. You can also stop by the Social Justice Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1202 Williamson St., Madison.