Louisville team asking community to have 'HEART' when interacting with homeless

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — You've likely seen it — someone on the side of the road or at a stoplight with a sign asking for money. But homeless advocates say there are better ways to help.

“You want to be able to give to that person and help get them move, but the amount of money you’re giving them is very miniscule to make anything really happen for them,” said Mirand Kallage, a homeless engagement supervisor with Louisville HEART. “Giving money just promotes individuals staying in those dangerous situations along the freeways, off the exits.”

Instead, Kallage suggests you can call 311, and outreach workers can find the best way to help.

Louisville HEART, which stands for Homeless Engagement and Assessment Response Team, has a mission to provide safe and healthy streets and connect people to the services they need.

The team has boots on the ground in homeless camps and on the streets.

The biggest barriers for many people living on the street include getting IDs, social security cards, mental health services, and housing.

HEART said trust doesn’t come immediately. Some people may say they don’t want help, but the team says its all about learning who these people are and that everyone has a story.

“Those engagements take a while," John Pilbean, Director of HEART, said. "We know that it’s not going to happen on the first engagement. It’s going to take 50, 60 times to go talk to an individual. We have to build that rapport and that trust."

Kallage also told WDRB the majority of people who are homeless in Louisville, have been in the foster care system.

“A lot of people are extremely lonely out here, so a little bit of kindness goes a long way,” Kallage said.

If you would like to donate time or money, HEART works closely with the following organizations to help people find housing and get various other needs met: