A Hartford man experiencing homelessness lost part of his finger to frostbite. A Hartford Healthcare program helped him leave the streets.
Isander Nieves, 48, finally has a warm, dry place in Hartford to call home after being homeless, addicted to drugs and in and out of trouble since 2014.
Nieves’ found his new lease on life through Hartford Healthcare’s Neighborhood Health program, a team of experts who meet people on the street, “where they are,” and give them what they need immediately, including clothes, food, medical attention and eventually, other services.
Nieves, who suffers from early Parkinson’s Disease, had been clean from drugs for 18 days when last week he moved to a supported living efficiency apartment. He’s been working with the team for almost two years and was one of their first clients.
“It feels good for me,” he said. “I don’t have to sleep outside, I don’t have to get wet anymore.”
He also doesn’t have to spend all day walking around to figure out where he’s going to sleep. Just a few weeks ago, he lost part of his finger to frostbite, he said.
“I think it’s quite literally saved his life,” said Kelly Toth, an APRN and assistant director of Neighborhood Health.
“Being on the street is difficult for anybody, but when you have significant medical problems, it’s even more taxing for the body,” Toth said.
Toth and her team who walk streets throughout Connecticut to provide help and in nearly two years of the program’s existence, have seen over 3,600 patients.
The neighborhood health team’s services for underserved Connecticut communities, has included not only medical treatment, such as physicals, vaccines, screenings and minor procedures — but also behavioral health resources and help accessing welfare benefits.
The team first met Nieves on Park Street in Hartford, where he was laying on the sidewalk.
It took a few weeks for Nieves to trust they were to help him, but he finally did and through the journey they’ve become like family.
“We love him like our own family,” Toth said through tears.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Priscilla Pandozzi said part of what makes Nieves special is that “despite his terrible” circumstances, Nieves “always wanted better” for himself than merely surviving.
On top of the apartment and drug rehabilitation, Nieves recently got a haircut and shave from barbershop owner Miguel Devalle, who was once homeless himself and now works with the Neighborhood Health team.
While a haircut and shave may seem trivial compared to an apartment, it’s important, Nieves and Devalle said.
“I feel clean,” Nieves said.
Devalle said since partnering with Neighborhood Health last year, he’ll drop whatever he’s doing — if possible — to bring a free haircut to program clients.
Devalle said patients/clients referred by the team often open up more after a haircut, shower and warm meal.
He said for Isander, who now has sobriety and an apartment, “all that was missing was a haircut.”
Delvalle said people treat people differently if they’re unkempt and now Nieves “looks so different.”
“He looks like a new man. He feels like a new man and most likely will become a new man,” said Delvalle, owner of Wise Guys Scissor Society Barber Shop, 87 Main St.