Richard Garrett’s dog was often the first thing people noticed about him, back when he lived under the bridge. A squat gray pup, Richard says he found Baby when she was young enough to have puppy energy, but old enough to have clearly given birth. Shy but gentle, Richard guessed she was maybe a couple years old.
Last fall, a team of outreach workers approached Richard and the two dozen other people living in the small tent city by the freeway in East Dallas. They had a surprising offer: Work with us and we’ll help you get your own apartment and connect you to services that will help you get your life together.
Richard wasn’t sure these strangers promising help were for real. No one here wanted to remain homeless, Richard says. But homeless services hadn’t done much for anyone around here…