BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Local officers and Flood Ministries are hitting the riverbeds to help the homeless get back on their feet by giving them resources.<\/p>\n
Gary, like many others living along the riverbeds, says getting off the street isn\u2019t always simple. For him, it\u2019s not just about finding a bed, it\u2019s about finding a place for his dog, too.<\/p>\n
Outreach teams with Flood say it\u2019s all about care and compassion, meeting people where they\u2019re at.<\/p>\n
Scott McArdle is the Program Manager for Outreach at Flood Ministries, and he says \u201cAnytime we can come out there and try and take the time to have that heart-to-heart conversation and let people know we\u2019re not here, you know, to try and force anything. We\u2019re here because we want to spread some love to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bakersfield police periodically go out and clear these areas. They call it an \u201cencampment cleanup.\u201d And that\u2019s where groups like Flood Ministries come in. They\u2019re there to help people connect with services. In March alone, the Street Impact Team took 23 people and 5 dogs to the Brundage Lane Navigation Center.<\/p>\n
Curtis Kniffen is a Police Officer with the BPD Street Impact Team.
\u201cWe don\u2019t always want to come out here and enforce a law. Many of these individuals are struggling and simply need a second chance. So we like to show them that there is the other side of law enforcement and the system, and getting back on their feet and hooking them up with the resources they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
For some, that first conversation can be the start of something new.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe today is the day where somebody says, \u2018Man, you know, I\u2019m just tired of always getting cleared out. I\u2019m tired of always having to move around. I need to do something different in my life.” McArdle said. <\/p>\n
And for Gary, that moment could be now. \u201cI\u2019m just tired of living out here, and hopefully this gets my life going where it should go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officials say every interaction counts \u2014 and while not everyone accepts help right away, they\u2019ll keep showing up, hoping the next conversation could change a life. <\/p>\n
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