From ATC program director Rob Gitin:
“Our nighttime outreach — when we interact with the majority of our youth — is bolstered by the fact that we hand out a variety of snacks, not just the standard fare found at soup kitchens and shelters. Food distributed to the homeless population is usually geared toward things other than fun; the fact that we sprinkle candy and other treats into our otherwise healthy assortment of packages differentiates us, and sends the message that we’re trying not just to help these young people survive, but to be happy and have pleasurable things in life. It’s an effective method for pulling homeless youth into our sphere of influence, and building relationships and trust. Only at that point do these kids really let us in, allowing us help them move forward in life.”
“Our nighttime outreach — when we interact with the majority of our youth — is bolstered by the fact that we hand out a variety of snacks, not just the standard fare found at soup kitchens and shelters. Food distributed to the homeless population is usually geared toward things other than fun; the fact that we sprinkle candy and other treats into our otherwise healthy assortment of packages differentiates us, and sends the message that we’re trying not just to help these young people survive, but to be happy and have pleasurable things in life. It’s an effective method for pulling homeless youth into our sphere of influence, and building relationships and trust. Only at that point do these kids really let us in, allowing us help them move forward in life.”