At midnight, Lisette Lojo began her rounds at Penn Station, navigating through the New Jersey Transit waiting area, past closed concessions. As a social worker with the Bowery Residents’ Committee, a nonprofit responsible for outreach to homeless individuals in New York City, Lojo was familiar with the station's layout and the people who frequented it. She had previously worked as a caseworker, helping individuals access housing and social services, and was now managing the transit outreach team.
Lojo, dressed in a light-gray jacket and black jeans, approached individuals in need, introducing herself and offering assistance. One of the individuals she encountered was Christian, a transgender person who had spent years in and around Penn Station. Despite Lojo's offer of placement in a shelter, Christian declined and continued on their way.
Lojo maintained a good relationship with the police officers at the station, understanding that their roles differed; she aimed to invite people into shelters while the police enforced station rules. The outreach workers, identifiable by their bright-orange jackets, used tablets to access client histories and coordinate placements with the city's Department of Homeless Services.
Throughout the night, Lojo and her colleagues engaged with various individuals, including a young woman seeking shelter and a man named Peter, who struggled with alcohol dependency. Despite efforts to encourage Peter to accept a shelter placement, he refused, expressing his desire to remain where he was. Lojo and her team were cautious in their approach, understanding that many individuals had complex reasons for declining help.
As the night progressed, Lojo continued her outreach efforts, balancing the need for assistance with respect for individuals' autonomy. She recognized the challenges faced by those living on the streets and the importance of building trust over time.
Lojo's work exemplifies the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in New York City, highlighting the complexities of outreach and the diverse needs of the homeless population.