Get to know Mobiles 1st homeless outreach coordinator [Video]

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – The City of Mobile is taking a historic step in its fight against homelessness.

The City has officially hired it’s first-ever homeless outreach coordinator, Kendell Young. Young’s heart for the unhoused began long before his new position. He has over 15 years of experience in Mobile’s homeless community.

“I’m excited and humbled to do something that I love to do,” said Young.

“I started out at Waterfront Rescue Mission working with the homeless- getting to learn how they operate, how they move, how they think, just being able to establish relationships with them,” he said.

Young says there are approximately 650 to 700 people who are displaced in the Port City. Those numbers are taken from Housing First’s latest Point-In-Time count.

He says the heartbeat behind his outreach is not a ‘hand-out’ but a ‘hand-up.’

“It’’s all about helping them to accomplish the goals that they want to accomplish in …