City Council Presentation July 1
View the Raleigh CARES presentation to City Council on July 1.
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When Maxx Dempsey recently helped someone get closer to permanent housing, he told them it was the first time they’d ever had keys to their own apartment.
“That gave me a profound sense of joy,” said Dempsey. “These folks are appreciative that someone is reaching out and helping them, letting them know they matter.”
Dempsey is lead of the Care Navigation Team that joined the City of Raleigh in May of this year. The 3-person team works with community members who’ve recently lost housing or are at risk of losing housing. The Care Navigation Team steps in after a person’s initial contact with a first response team. Their job is to make sure no one falls through the cracks by identifying specific needs and matching the person with available community services.
The Care Navigation Team is part of the Housing and Neighborhoods Department and is comprised of peer support specialists. Currently, their focus is connecting people to housing resources to reduce that mental stress. Dempsey believes this is the best way to get people to a level of stability where they can then pursue the kind of life they want. Dempsey calls it a win-win approach for the City of Raleigh.
“We want the city to be vibrant, so everyone’s voices need to be heard… all the folks, including those who aren’t financially stable,” Dempsey tells us. “This allows them to start contributing to the community and really feel better about themselves.”
Dempsey and their colleagues go to where people are, whether it’s an encampment in the woods or the streets of Raleigh.
“Think about it. Some of these people don’t have phones or transportation so it’s hard for them to navigate the system. We meet them where they are, build a relationship, and then help them, whether it’s finding them a primary care doctor, helping with mental health, or finding them housing.”
Dempsey believes Raleigh CARES and the Care Navigation Team will ultimately make the City of Raleigh stronger.
“Everyone has value and some just need that extra support,” explains Dempsey. “Sometimes that support takes a little longer, but it doesn’t make the people any less valuable.”