Ambassadors of Hope

CCD is employing strategies to reduce the number of unhoused individuals living on downtown streets while providing compassionate outreach, connections to appropriate services, and job opportunities. 

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Ambassadors of Hope 

To address panhandling and homelessness on Center City sidewalks, CCD funds and deploys an innovative outreach initiative called Ambassadors of Hope (AoH) — a unique partnership with Project HOME and the Philadelphia Police Department, with strong support from the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health. Launched in 2018, the program is based on the principle that complex social problems require an interdisciplinary approach, using a "co-delivery" model of service. 

Ambassadors of Hope comprises three teams, each with a CCD outreach specialist, a Project HOME outreach worker, and a crisis-intervention officer from the Philadelphia Police Central Service Detail. A community service representative (CSR) manager with a vehicle is also available for transportation to services. 

The social services and outreach workers initiate conversations with people experiencing homelessness — building trust and consistency over time. Two teams patrol on foot Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., covering areas west and east of Broad Street. A third team works Tuesday through Saturday, focused on engaging with chronically homeless individuals at persistent gathering locations. 

Since the launch of AoH, more than 1,300 unsheltered clients have accepted help and been transported to service or treatment providers tailored to their individual needs, including shelter or housing. CCD has provided transportation in more than 80% of cases. Approximately half of those accepting services were chronically homeless individuals who had previously resisted help and placement.  

Those who decline services but are engaging in problematic behavior are instructed by the police officer to disperse, and all comply—with no citations or code violation notices issued to date. AoH teams also have secured emergency medical services for more than 80 individuals needing immediate medical treatment. 

Winter Outreach 

The Winter Outreach program runs from January 2 through late April. During these months, CCD and Project HOME teams continue providing outreach services as in AoH, but with police officers available via radio rather than assigned to each team. Officers rejoin the teams in late April when full AoH deployment resumes. 

How to Help 

You can help us do more by supporting the CCD Foundation today. 

Businesses, residents, and the public can alert our teams to locations or individuals needing outreach by emailing outreach@centercityphila.org.