CFTH Outreach Team’s People-First Approach

By Nneka D. Coxeff 

On April 16, the Council for the Homeless (CFTH) Coordinated Outreach Team arrived at Burnt Bridge Creek to check on participants after hearing about a cleanup of the westside encampment.

It’s not easy being told you have to pack up everything you own early in the morning without really anywhere else to go,” said housing specialist Daniel Rivera. “When we show up, our goal is to offer support, provide food and water, help people connect to services, and be a caring presence.”

CFTH serves all of Clark County and leads with a trauma-informed, people-centered approach when connecting with our neighbors experiencing homelessness. The team canvasses shifting hotspots, connecting people with housing and other services while offering consistent support. Some are ready to transition quickly into housing, while others may need ongoing engagement, treatment, and mentorship over time. 

Prior to the cleanup, the team visited the Burnt Bridge Creek encampment regularly to build relationships with the individuals living there. People living outside are often on the move, which makes it challenging for outreach workers to stay engaged. Cleanups, often referred to as sweeps, are stressful and can trigger past traumas and a sense of panic, leading people to leave most of their belongings behind as they return to the streets to move on and start over. 

Our team connected with several individuals leaving the encampment, offering resources and support, though they were left with a deep sense of wanting to do more.

Rooted in connection, trust, and dignity, the team’s work is led by coordinated outreach manager Nathalie Aguilar. Nathalie also takes pride in the diversity her team represents. 

“Most of our team identifies as BIPOC,” Nathalie says, “and many have lived experiences with homelessness and housing instability — this diversity allows us to meet people where they are, with empathy and understanding.” Cultural competency is part of our impactful approach.

The Burnt Bridge Creek encampment was home to a large Chuukese population, with whom the team had built a strong rapport. Nina Rengechy, a Chuukese-identifying housing specialist on the Coordinated Outreach Team, plays a key role in building cultural bridges with Chuukese community members, alongside CFTH care and engagement coordinator Gemma Somol.

In addition to leading coordinated outreach efforts in Clark County, the team manages the chronic by-name list (CBNL), which organizes the information of individuals with the longest experiences of homelessness. With over 650 people currently listed, the goal is to reach functional zero — where each person added to the list is matched by someone being housed. 

The newest team member, Doug Van Anda, CBNL coordinator, is leading efforts to keep the list updated while ensuring the team remains informed about the most vulnerable individuals. 

Beyond her leadership role, Nathalie also facilitates the monthly Coordinated Outreach Workgroup, a collaborative space where outreach teams from organizations such as Columbia River Mental Health Services, Sea Mar-CSNW, Janus Youth Programs, Lifeline Connections, Live Love Outreach, Outsiders Inn, and Share come together. The group meets to participate in training, share resources, and coordinate efforts to ensure comprehensive outreach coverage across the entire county. 

“We listen. We mentor. We show up,” says Nathalie. “When someone living outside has no family or support system, we are their support. We hold space and remind people of their strength, encouraging them to keep going.” 

She reminds all outreach workers: “Never forget that your greatest tool is yourself. Despite challenges and limited resources, you are the strongest tool when it comes to engagement and support.” 

 

How You Can Help

If you see someone living outside and want to help, please visit the Council for the Homeless website and fill out the Outreach Referral Form to inform us of the location. Your submission helps to connect the outreach team with individuals who might otherwise be missed.

You can also support our efforts by donating — either financially or through our Amazon Wish List. Your generosity fuels our mission to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County.

 

Nneka D. Coxeff, communications manager, leads external messaging for Council for the Homeless. With over twenty years of experience in media and public relations — and more than a decade dedicated to the nonprofit sector — she brings a deep commitment to advocacy and storytelling that upholds mission integrity. Nneka is proud to serve Clark County, where she resides with her family.