Word On The Street

We met John back in November of 2017 flying a sign on the corner of West and Fayette Streets in Syracuse. Over the past four years there were many ups and downs with John. We would engage him every week during street outreach and in 2019 when Hire Ground was born he became a work participant. We would continue to love John through his journey and early this year in 2021 John was connected to a Housing provider and received keys to his place. IMFK supplied Groceries for the move in provided by our partner Abundant Life Christian Centers food pantry as well as a Covid-19 cleaning supply kit. After being housed John expressed interest in employment and had an interview set up with Metro Mattress, JD (IMFK Care Manager) was able to transport John to the interview were he was hired on the spot. Next John was ready to start driving, he never had a permit so JD set up an on line appointment for 6/2/21 so John could go after a drivers permit. John T. (IMFK Director) was able to drive John to his test appointment at DMV, we are proud to say that John passed the test and now has a valid drivers permit. On the way back to his house John T. let John now that we would pay for his 5 hour course that he needs to take. IMFK wanted to bless him and continue to give him a hand up through this new road he is on. We are so proud of you John for putting in the foot work, John works 30-40 hours a week now and will be receiving his 3rd pay check this week. John T. asked John how does it feel to get a check for your efforts instead of panhandling. John said AWESOME! Thank you everyone for your financial support, because of You we would not be able to do the out of the box scenarios with our friends outdoors. Thank you for Partnership

John and Leigh Ann 

Collaboration is a big KEY to the success of assisting our Homeless Friends indoors. Working a long side with Dr. Lehmann has been such a huge asset for us at IMFK. Doc takes out med students and introduces them to the work of compassionate care to our most vulnerable population, our homeless friends. We love watching the teaching that goes on between Physician and student as they both are laying hands on those who are suffering. Today we were able to assist a gentlemen who had multiple abscesses on his arms from intervenes drug use. Bring this care might not stop him from using heroine again but we believe that assisting him in a low moment establishes a deeper relation and trust. When our friend is ready to make a real change we will be standing there with open arms saying “Lets Go”! Here is more about House Calls For The Homeless 

Upstate Medical Universitys HouseCalls for the Homeless was started by Dr. David Lehmann and Mia Ruiz-Salvador in the summer of 2018. Its mission is to provide medical, psychiatric and addiction safety-net services for men and women without homes in Onondaga County. The Upstate program is one of a growing number of “street medicine” programs in the nation, and across the world.

HouseCalls for the Homeless provides services at emergency shelters in Onondaga County and often works with In My Fathers Kitchen, an outreach service that distributes food and other necessities to homeless people on the street.

Beyond the physical care, a physician’s medical diagnosis can often assist people to qualify for supportive housing, helping them off the streets. Statistics show that the longer a person lives on the streets, the greater his or her risk of death.

As Doc says “Don’t Let The Perfect Be The Enemy Of The Good”

Sous Chefs thank you for your continued support in Building Hope and Changing Lives 

John and Leigh Ann 

We met James in 2019 when he reached out to us about our Hire Ground work program. James was homeless living in a place not meant for human habitation with his dog. Its been 2 years and James has done a total 180 degree turn and is giving back. Check out his story and see the transformation that has taken place, going from homelessness to housing and now running his own Non Profit. Hire Ground its a hand up not a hand out, an Alternative to

Today we were able to meet a new friend who is experiencing homelessness. We received multiple calls from a local business who was concerned for the safety of  a very friendly homeless individual residing behind their establishment. Our team was able to engage and introduce ourselves  and ask about his story. As we were talking I noticed an abscess on our friends hand and asked if Doctor Lehmann could take a look at it. He allowed Doc to examine him and proceeded to inform us that heroine is his drug of choice and that he wanted to be free from it. Doc asked if he would be interested in taking Suboxone as well as us making an appointment with Doctor Johnson and Doctor Aslam from Upstate Rehabilitation. Our friend was all in and so appreciative. Tomorrow he will meet with JD and Kat (IMFK Care Managers) to start housing intake paper work and JD will be transporting him up to the clinic to meet the medical team for treatment. JD has committed to being his sober support while he moves through this new journey of life. I love first contacts with new friends, you never know what your going to experience. Todays encounter was beautiful and we are looking forward to our friends transformation off of heroine. Thank you everyone for your continued support  of our Mission

We introduced you to John our homeless friend last week. JD (IMFK Care Manager) is a Marine and so is our friend John. During street outreach John reached out to Dr. Lehmann who does House Calls for the Homeless and asked for assistance with navigating his meds. Our dear friend is a diabetic and has been running high sugars for some time which is a major concern for someone with diabetes. Leigh Ann (Co-Founder of IMFK) is also a diabetic and we know the challenges of navigating this illness and cant even image trying to do so living outdoors. Doc was able to call in scripts for insulin as well as some other important meds that were needed. Pictured here is Doc doing a follow up visit to make sure John was doing well and to ask if he had any questions. The challenge for someone surviving homelessness is transportation as well as consistent reliable phone service to communicate with a PCP. Doc becomes that PCP at street level and brings compassionate care to all our friends outdoors on a consistent basis. John has been reconnected to Veteran services and JD is assisting him through that process. Our approach is total rap around care from food, clothing, medical care and hard core advocacy. Being a Voice for those who feel Like they HAVE NO VOICE is very important in showing our friends that we are truly there for them. With your continual support we are able to Build Hope and Change Lives and on behalf of all our friends we say THANK YOU!