HOPE CENTER HELPS WITH VACCINE CLINIC PKG

The department held a special vaccination clinic today just for the homeless.

It's a way to reach everyone who wants a shot...especially those who are harder to get to.

For that reason, the department used the johnson & johnson vaccine...which only requires one dose.

That's much more effective for homeless people who may not be able to come back for another shot in a month.

### members of the hope center's street outreach team were out today...helping people get to today's clinic.

As abc 36's bobbi mcswine reports...it's a sign of the times.

Instead of protecting the homeless from the weather...today it's from the coronavirus.

Dezarn: "it's tough out here in the vicious cycle of homelessness" jason dezarn and dustin louthen say they know all too well that homelessness can stem from addiction.

Now...having overcome their own battles...with the help of the hope center...they joined the non-profit's outreach team.

Louthen: "felt like i needed to stay here and give back to the community."

Dezarn: "it's very rewarding bcause there was a time in my life where i didn't have the helping hand."

Bobbi: "that's why the pair spent their entire tuesday morning and afternoon riding around the streets of lexington trying to get as many as the city's homeless population into this vaccination clinic."

They went to homeless camps and offered people a ride to get their dose.

Louthen: "a lot of people were intimidated thinking they were gonna get sick, so we just try to let them know that we both have been vaccinated and we're fine."

Dezarn and louthen only got lucky with a few people...but they say it's worth it.

Louthen: "we picked that gentleman up from the lighthouse and he was super ready to come get his shot and hopefully he can go back there when he's done and let everybody know and we'll be able to give more rides from there."

Beyond tuesday's clinic...the outreach team is constantly looking for people to help.

One recent example...a homeless couple who'd been living in a walmart parking lot for five years.

Louthen: "we basically did everything for them from start to finish - from birth certificates, to ids, to medical issurance, to even getting the dog vaccinated and licensed."

The team says whether it's working through a situation like that one...or trying to convince people to take the vaccine...the key is patience...and humility.

In lexington...bobbi mcswine...abc 36 news.

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