Mary's Story

Mary Mitchell was living a nomadic life when she first came to know Mount Carmel’s Street Medicine team more than two years ago. A soft-spoken, polite, petite woman in her early fifties, she would stay with friends whenever she could. When that wasn’t possible, she stayed in shelters. At one point she found an abandoned house on the Hilltop without water or electricity and lived by the light and warmth of candles at night.

While the Street Medicine team made sure she had blankets, warm clothing, and medical care – as they’ve done for thousands of central Ohio’s uninsured, underinsured, homeless, refugees, and immigrants, for more than 30 years – they were worried it wouldn’t be enough with winter approaching. They helped her apply for housing at Mary Haven, even assisting her in obtaining her birth certificate so she could complete the application.

Without any income or transportation, though, the apartment she was approved for was too far from everyday resources like food. Despite having to go back on the wait list, Mary continued to call on Street Medicine at the Healthy Living Center in Franklinton. With soup kitchens closed during the pandemic, she accepted day-old lunches with great appreciation.

“Mount Carmel Outreach does not give up on patients just because it is hard, complicated work to get them favorable outcomes,” said Jacquelyn White, NP with the Mount Carmel Street Medicine Program. “But we can’t do it alone, so we develop relationships with other agencies who can help meet their needs that we cannot.”

After months of calls between Mary, the Street Medicine team, and Mary Haven, she finally got the news she’d been hoping for. An apartment on the south side opened up that was precisely what she needed. The team helped her obtain furniture and get the basics it took to move in. Not surprisingly, it was immaculate when they went to visit her recently.

“I want to thank Jackie, Steve, Laura, Ben and Jalee,” said Mary. “Jackie helped with medicine, writing the letter for my dog so she could live here, made calls to Mary Haven for me and asked about the progress of me getting an apartment. Laura helped me get my birth certificate. Steve, Laura and Jalee helped me move, with supplies and find transportation. Everyone helped in getting me a home.”

Homelessness and the threat of homelessness compounds the effect of illnesses such as COVID19, undermining access to food, hygiene and self-quarantine options. Incomplete actions to address homelessness during a pandemic also include evictions and foreclosures. Care for the Common Good requires solutions designed to meet needs in every community. Mary’s is one of hundreds of Street Medicine success stories and yet another example of what our community can do when we Care for the Common Good. Take action today and sign this petition supporting these and other important issues.