SOARing with Jack
Jack the Alien has lived on the streets of Providence,
Rhode Island for the past thirty years. Jack’s nickname comes
from the large hernia that protrudes from his stomach, a
condition that has resulted in dozens of hospitalizations
and emergency room visits. Amiable but solitary, Jack is well
known by store owners, police officers and other residents
of Providence. He has made his home in a variety of places,
including basements, park benches, sidewalks and the
spaces beneath bridges. Most of Jack’s arrests have been for
trespassing and breaking and entering, charges associated
with his chronic homelessness and refusal to use the
homeless shelters.
Despite the fact that he is known by many, Jack has
received remarkably few services over the course of his
three decades of homelessness. This is largely due to his
cognitive deficiencies and paranoia; Jack is incredibly
resistant to outreach, often quickly walking away when recognizing an outreach worker on the
street or refusing to attend appointments. This lack of services results in a heavy use of the hospital
and prison systems, which would have been greatly minimized if Jack had the support he needed to
take care of himself.
A district court judge cancelled a bench warrant for Jack on the condition that he engage
in services with the Social Services staff of the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office. With support
from Rhode Island Hospital, where Jack was admitted as an inpatient to treat complications of his
hernia, the Public Defender SOAR team was able to successfully submit an SSI/SSDI application on
his behalf. Just weeks after submission, Jack was awarded SSI and Medicaid. This funding allows Jack
to live in supportive housing, properly care for his health, and participate in his community.
SOAR Works for Communities!
SOAR Works for Business!
SOAR Works for People!
A program of the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
For more information contact:
Jessica Mowry, SOAR Coordinator, the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
(401) 726-2285 x150 or [email protected]