Homelessness is a social and human tragedy that has extremely destructive consequences for the individuals in crisis who experience it. Beyond the material deprivation, the physical discomfort, the mental stress and the violence of life on the streets is the emotional toll the stigma of homelessness takes on people. There are few actions with as dramatic an impact on an individual’s holistic quality of life as easing the dehumanization and degradation of homelessness. The difference JOIN makes in the lives of homeless people by stressing personal relationships and a supportive environment is profound, even in those whose transition off the street is not imminent. In the words of one homeless friend, “Homelessness is about isolation and alienation, JOIN’s outreach program is an antidote to that...a step back into community”.