COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 9, 2024)—Southeast Healthcare’s Rapid Response Emergency Addiction And Crisis Team (RREACT) will be honored at the 2024 Short North Arts District Gala in April. The Gala recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that have impacted the Short North Arts District.
RREACT has been chosen for the “Unsung Hero” award for its tireless work with unhoused residents in the Short North community. Since their work began in the Short North in 2022, RREACT has helped more than 400 individuals access permanent and supportive housing, medical care, mental health services, and additional treatment.
The Short North Gala organizers describe RREACT as “the embodiment of the spirit of our community through the hope they give to so many in one of the most demanding jobs imaginable.”
RREACT assists individuals in obtaining birth certificates, state identification, and Social Security cards, completing applications for supportive housing, and referrals to substance abuse treatment. Other services include assistance with prescriptions, hygiene packs, sack lunches, HIV test kits, harm reduction supplies, food stamp applications, SSI/SSDI applications, vocational services, transportation assistance, free cell phones, and completing Medicaid insurance applications.
Southeast Healthcare, a comprehensive provider of community mental health, primary care, dental, alcohol and drug, vocational, housing, and homeless services, leads the RREACT program. A collaboration between Southeast and the Short North Alliance (SNA) enabled RREACT to increase its community outreach and engagement in the area throughout the past two years.