At SISU Empowering Others, our mission has always been to meet people where they are—with compassion, dignity, and real support. This past November, we held two powerful Street Outreach Give Back Events on November 5 and November 30, continuing our commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

Our work in November was shaped by the information gathered during our Street Outreach Event in July. During that outreach, our team connected with many individuals facing housing insecurity and asked about their primary needs—from daily essentials to long-term support.

What we heard was clear: people needed access to food, hygiene items, warm clothing, socks, transportation support, and resources for housing and employment. With this information, SISU created a plan to directly respond to these needs.

In November, we organized a two-day Give Back series designed to ensure that those living on the streets felt seen, supported, and cared for.

Across both days, SISU and our volunteers:

• Distributed food, water, ready-to-eat meals, and hygiene kits (1st Day)

• Provided clothing, jackets, sneakers, hats, gloves, and socks at The Gathering Place

• Shared resource guides for housing, employment, and mental health support

• Connected individuals to SISU’s ongoing programs and community partners

• Offered one-on-one conversations, mentorship, encouragement, and compassionate listening

The individuals we served were genuinely grateful, expressing appreciation and joy for the items and support they received. Many shared that these essentials would help them get through the cold nights ahead—and the connections made helped open doors toward longer-term solutions.

The needs in our community continue, and SISU Empowering Others remains committed to expanding our Street Outreach Initiative. The information gathered from July  helps us plan for:

• Give Back events

• Increased access to hygiene and food resources

• More connections to case management, mentoring, and housing support

• Partnerships that strengthen our ability to reach and serve vulnerable populations
  
  

At SISU, we believe in the power of community—and every hand, every donation, and every moment of service has the ability to change a life.

To everyone who volunteered, donated, partnered, or helped spread the word—thank you. Your support made these November events meaningful, impactful, and full of hope. Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community—one act of service at a time.