1 day Ago By John Martins
In an effort to enhance community support, San Antonio's Department of Human Services has upgraded the previous Homeless Connections Hotline to a more inclusive Community Connections Hotline. This hotline aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for individuals facing housing instability and related challenges.According to the city's announcement, the hotline will continue to operate under its established phone number, 210-207-1799.
It now offers a wide range of services designed to reach a broad spectrum of needs, including housing and rent assistance, food access, and public benefits navigation. The addition of Benefits Navigators to the team underscores the city's commitment to helping residents understand and apply for available public assistance programs.Melody Woosley, the Director of the Department of Human Services, emphasizes the importance of this initiative.
"By streamlining programs and broadening the scope of the Hotline, we’re building a stronger safety net for our communities," Woosley stated in the city's press release. "This new approach allows us to support individuals and families needing critical support and connect them to the right resources at the right time."The hotline is maintained by trained specialists who provide confidential assistance in a compassionate manner.
Tamicko Jones, a hotline operator, expressed the emotional rewards of her job. "Judgement ends where compassion begins," Jones told the city's newsroom. "Through the Community Connections Hotline, I witness the shared humanity in others’ struggles, offering hope and connecting people to the resources they need to rebuild and thrive.
That is why I come to work every day. It is a blessing to be a blessing."Service hours for the hotline are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.
m. to 4:30 p.m.
though hours extend during inclement weather crises. The city also offers an incentive for community support, with the first 100 donors contributing $10 or more to the Close to Home Alternative Giving Fund receiving a custom Community Connections Hotline Fiesta Medal.Katie Wilson, Executive Director of Close to Home, highlights the urgency of community contribution given the end of pandemic-era funding.
"With pandemic-era funding ending, many of these essential programs are at risk. These are not optional services — they are vital to our ongoing efforts to address homelessness, and we need the support of our community," Wilson remarked as she underscored the critical need for financial support, as mentioned in the same press release..
