Note: Originally published as print-only in The CWE Griffin Newspaper. Photos courtesy Alvin Ferguson.

The Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative has started a new Outreach Program that aims to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health issues and to connect them with treatment and social services.

The NSI is a nonprofit organization created with the vision of one centralized organization overseeing safety and security on a daily basis in the Central West End. Formed in 2007, the NSI aims to respond more efficiently to crime using proactive crime prevention patrols and equipment, as well as communicating with law enforcement. NSI also works to educate and empower the CWE community.

The mission of the CWE NSI is dedicated to neighborhood safety, advancement, and contributing to the common good. They are committed to creating a better community for everyone through advocacy efforts and ongoing initiatives for the community.

For the new program, the NSI hired Alvin Ferguson in October 2021 as the part-time Outreach Specialist.

Ferguson previously worked at the St. Patrick’s Center, helping primarily unhoused veterans and women. Here, he established a belief that through positive interactions of spirituality, empathy, and compassion, we can form healthy relationships to serve those in need.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be able to serve this community,” Ferguson expressed. “I couldn’t ask for a better thing to do. It’s not a job, it’s a passion for me. It never has been a job for me.”

Relying on 20 years of field experience and the support from the NSI team, Ferguson makes daily rounds throughout the community. He meets with people, has conversations, or just stops by to say hello. He is working to build trust and rapport, letting people know that this is a true effort to meet people when they’re ready to be met.

“That’s what you do, you engage these guys. You consistently be out there, show up everyday,” Ferguson said. “They got to be able to count on you. And it could be the smallest thing or it could be the largest thing. You could help get them treatment, give him a pair of socks or a bottle of water, and I do it all.”

For the project’s future, Ferguson hopes to improve the system as much as possible in order to get more immediate help to those who need it. He also wants to see more inner city treatment available.

“We’ve got to start the right way,” he said, “and if you do it in the right way and you start building on that, if your heart’s in the right place, [...] then you can make some progress. And that helps the whole community.”

Working to make a positive impact for the community, the NSI’s Outreach Program seeks to help people who are marginalized in the community. From the individuals they serve, to the people who provide support for these efforts, The NSI envisions a safe and secure environment for all.

If you would like Alvin to reach out to someone, text him at (314) 904-6879 with detailed information. The NSI is located at 447 N. Euclid Avenue. Their phone number is (314) 454-5808.