SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A dedicated Community Care Coordinator in Springfield is receiving the Certificate of Commendation from the Springfield Police Department for her work with the Homeless Outreach Team.
Shanon Allen's efforts lead to saving the life of a man who was unhoused for over 20 years. The man struggled with mental health issues, addiction, and almost died from an infection.
She noticed the man did not seem like himself and requested paramedics. At first, the medical professionals were not going to take the homeless man to the hospital, but Shanon insisted, and she saved his life. The doctors at the hospital said if he did not get treatment for the toe infection, he would have died out on the street.
Officials with the department say she worked with the man and convinced them to get the care they needed in the coordinated entry program. The program gave him an updated ID card, social security card, and birth certificate. To do this, Shanon spent hours advocating for him with public aid. She was even able to get him into an in-patient treatment program for mental health and substance abuse, which he finished.
After the man left the hospital, Shanon was able to get him a fully furnished apartment, thus ending his 20 years of homelessness.
Officials with the Springfield Police Department added at the end of their Facebook post, "Shanon's efforts and dedication over the past two years not only ensured that this individual would receive housing but also that he would still be alive and in the proper health to enjoy it."
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