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Hand in Hand program credits officer referrals, local partners for helping residents find shelter and jobs
Summary
A Hand in Hand program representative told officials the program connects residents to shelter, jobs and emergency car repairs, citing a recent case where staff arranged a shop inspection and a client later found housing and work.
A Hand in Hand program representative said the outreach effort connects residents who need shelter, jobs or other basic services with community resources and local partners. "The Hand in Hand program is simply a way for us to reach out to the community and look for resources," the representative said.
The representative described two primary referral routes: public calls to the program and officer-initiated referrals when an officer encounters someone in need. "Most of the time we get calls for service from the community," they said. "Every once in a while an officer will be out with the subject and he'll just call us and say, 'we have somebody here we think would be a good prospect for the Hand in Hand program.'"
The representative said the City of Goodyear has been cooperative when staff request help finding food, shelter or employment for clients. "City of Goodyear has really reached out," they said.
As an example, the representative recounted an officer stopping a woman on Litchfield who was having car trouble. Staff helped arrange a shop inspection and reached out to McFall's Tires for an estimate. "I called McFall's Tires and said, 'If we can limp it there, can you take a look at it? Give us a guesstimate,'" the representative said.
The representative emphasized the program's focus on lasting outcomes. They described the satisfaction of seeing clients regain stability: one client later called to report she had secured a job and housing. "I'm in an apartment right now. It's in Phoenix, but I got a job and I'm working and I'm on my own," the representative quoted the client as saying. The representative added that when clients are able, they are encouraged to "repay the favor" by helping others in the community.
No formal actions, votes or funding details were provided in the transcript. The session focused on how referrals work, local partner assistance and a recent client success story.
