By Mary O’KEEFE

Glendale police officers responded to a call recently concerning a disturbance by a homeless person. Although this is not an unusual call, when the officers arrived at the scene they discovered there was something different about this call.

“They met [Chris] and, due to their health training, realized he needed some help,” said Officer Steve Koszis.

The officers spoke to Chris and then contacted Koszis, who deals with many of the homeless in the area. They learned that Chris was a veteran. Koszis contacted Officer James Colvin who is the GPD MET (Mental Evaluation Team) officer through Los Angeles County. The program pairs an officer with an LA County clinician and together they respond to calls involving psychiatric crisis or critical incidents to provide immediate assistance.

“The officers had consulted me earlier that day. Then another service call came out and my partner and I responded,” Colvin said.

The officers began working with Chris. Their first call was to Ascencia in Glendale for help and guidance.

According to its website, Ascencia’s mission is to “end homelessness in the greater Glendale area, one person, one family at a time. We envision a community where people in need can find safe affordable housing and access resources to become self-sufficient.”

“We made a call to Ascencia and they arranged an intake for him,” Koszis said. “They did an assessment and began working to replace his vital identification [like driver’s license and service record].”

He was also able to get a shower, clothes and a good meal. Koszis said Chris never panhandled for money for food, but ate what he found.

Colvin and his MET partner began working on Chris’ health issues while all involved worked on getting him on the path away from homelessness.

“He told us he had been homeless for about a year and in Glendale for about five months,” Koszis said.

Chris shared with the officers that he served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne for four years and left the service about five years ago. He said he has no connection with his family.

 “He has no income, no resources, no links to his family and no way to get on social media [to find help],” Koszis said.

What he does have is a dog named Corey.

“There are [official] service dogs and then there are emotional support animals.  Corey is an amazing support and takes good care of Chris,” Koszis said. “When things are stressful he focuses on Corey.”

Corey had not had a bath or a hot meal in a long time either, so once again the GPD stepped up. Tahnee Lightfoot, GPD spokesperson, reached out to Irene Grigoryan at Sassy Pets Spa and Daycare in Eagle Rock. Grigoryan was more than happy to provide a free spa day for Corey.

But the GPD wasn’t done with Corey. Once clean, they wanted to make certain he was healthy. In stepped Dr. JD Speas from Crescenta-Cañada Pet Hospital who offered his services.

Koszis said that Chris is very proud but is accepting the outpouring of support and appreciates the help offered to him by so many.

Koszis and Colvin are continuing to work with Ascencia and veteran support services to get Chris out of homelessness.

If there is a landlord who has a vacant home and is in the position to help this veteran or if anyone has questions about this case, contact GPD at (818) 548-4818.  Chris will not be the last homeless person who needs help, so if anyone would like to donate, Ascencia has a “wish list” that can be found at ascenciaca.org.

  Mary Okeefe