John Tumino

Wow what a transformation for our dear friend Shane! We have been working with our friend for some time now assisting him in his housing journey. Shane is no longer on the streets, he is staying in one of our men’s shelters here in CNY. During our interactions Dr. Lehmann from House Calls For The Homeless has been providing medical attention to Shane. Shane was expressing some major dental concerns and Doc was able to get him a referral for an evaluation with Dr. Romano a Dentist here in town. The diagnosis was that Shane needed to have the remaining teeth he had extracted and to be fitted with dentures. He teeth were so bad that they were causing secondary health situations. There is a direct connection with bad oral hygiene and health related issues. Well unfortunately Medicaid Insurance would not cover this process, that’s were Dr. Lehmann steps up to the plate. Doc raises private funds for the work that he does and the Board of House Calls For The Homeless approved Docs request and they financed the whole process. When working with our friends we try to knock out every barrier in someone’s journey so that they can feel part of  community again and not feel like outcasts. Shane was so appreciative and said “I Feel Like A Person Again”! Collaboration is a huge key to what we do but also the support of private donors like yourselves is what allowed this opportunity to be come a reality. Thank you Sous Chefs 

John and Leigh Ann  

Received a wonderful message from a friend tonight Hey!
Hey John, just wanted to let you know that I am still in rehab and I have made a few plans which includes long term then a halfway house then supportive living. I talked w Kevin on messenger and he should be talking to you tomorrow about a couple of things that I need. I hope you can help me out with these things, cuz I only grabbed a few things from my spot when I left. I’m not going back to that place because it’s a trigger for me. I left everything there except my sentimental things which I gave to a friend to hold on to and a couple sets of clothes. But since being here I have been reconnected with my 2 daughters that I have not seen nor heard from in a few years. They give me strength and support love and hope. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me. I love you brother. Take care.
This is what its all about Sous Chefs and you make these opportunities possible, thank you. We will support our friend through his journey.
John and Leigh Ann

During yesterdays outreach we were contacted by one of our friends living outdoors stating that they needed Doc to check out a growth under their arm pit. Doc Lehmann was out of town but through his relationships with other Doctors we had a great stand in today, meet Dr. Bonnie. Dr. B. was so compassionate and full of wisdom and so much insight. As she assessed the site with the intentions of draining the abscess she realized that this could not be drained and that it actually developed into a cist that needed to be taken care of by a surgeon. Our friend in need is a heroine user, Dr. B. explained what needed to be done and strongly encouraged our friend to no longer inject into the arm pit. This gave us the opportunity to discuss with our friend the real need to start to make some positive changes into a sober new direction.  They listened, graciously heard us and made the decision to continue in this way of life. We let them no that we needed to see them again on Monday to check out the area and that we are their for them when they are ready. The hardest thing as an outreach worker is seeing someone’s life unraveling before you and knowing you can not make someone change their behavior. All we can do is not judge give support and believe that when they are ready for change we get the call for help. We are always ready when someone surrenders and says I cant do it anymore. Thank you for your support, please consider becoming a monthly supporter and together we will build hope and change lives,

John and Leigh Ann 

We do whatever it takes to keep lines of communications open with our friends. Medical attention is a big tool in our outreach to show our friends dignity by also showing them we truly care. Many of our friends who are outdoors refuse to go to local Emergency Rooms for various reasons and Doc being able to do this type of care on the streets is valuable, its saving lives! Our friend was so appreciative to all of us for stopping and looking for him today. Addiction is real and its a beast to overcome. We are believing that this care with a no strings approach opens a door for better things for our dear friend. Its someone’s family member out there and if it were your family would you want us to assist? I believe the answer is yes and we will keep going out to the streets to find those who are in trouble. Thank you for all your support, we have the greatest Sous Chefs ever.

We met Shane back in 2015 while he was leaving outdoors. We were able to assist him into housing at that time but he just recently had a domestic issue occur which caused him to become homeless once again. We met him were he was at and encouraged him that we were able to assist him once again. Shane agreed to going into one of our major shelters in town while we started the process to housing. In the mean time Dr. Lehmann from House Calls For The Homeless was giving him health care by getting him back onto some medications that he needed. While doing the evaluation Shane mentioned the issue he was having with his teeth. As you can see from the photo and video that Shane was in constant pain. Doctor Dave agreed and offered to assist Shane to a dentist with the House call fund paying for the bill. Value and Dignity is one of Our major keys on the streets of our city and listening to Shane here on this video says it all. Whatever it takes to show our friends they are not Invisible. Thank you Sous Chefs for your continued support in our Mission.