By: Alyssa Warner, Mobile Response Unit Case Manager
At the heart of our work is a simple truth: sometimes, a single moment of connection can change a life.
Take, for instance, one woman who had long struggled with substance use and homelessness. The MRU had encountered her several times before, offering support that she wasn’t yet ready to accept. But one day, that changed—she reached out and said, “I’m ready.” Within hours, the MRU team brought her to a recovery center in Englewood. Today, she’s sober and actively working toward securing housing—taking things one meaningful step at a time.
In another case, the MRU was dispatched during a brutal cold snap to help a woman sitting at a bus stop, unsure of where to go or what to do. With the temperature rapidly dropping, the team brought her to a local warming center, arranged for shelter that night, and provided essential supplies. Two days later, she reached out again—this time calmer, lighter, and full of gratitude.
These are just two moments in the daily rhythm of the MRU. Every encounter, no matter how big or small, is a reminder of what’s possible when care meets people where they are. It’s proof of the life-changing impact of timely, compassionate intervention—and the critical importance of connecting individuals to the resources they need, when they need them most.