For shelters & intake teams
Add one intake question that could help someone off the streets in days.
Will U Help provides free reconnection support for people living unsheltered. We help identify someone from their past, send a safe first message, and create a first step toward reconnection when appropriate.
The one question we hope every shelter asks
“Is there someone from your past we could help you reconnect with?”
Many people are not completely out of options. They may be disconnected from the right person. This one question can open a door to family, friends, mentors, recovery support, or someone who still cares.
How it works
How the free reconnection process works
- 1
Ask the question
Ask: “Is there someone from your past we could help you reconnect with?”
- 2
Get permission
The person must want the reconnection. Permission matters. Safety matters.
- 3
Submit the request
Help complete the online Reconnect Form and upload the required short video message from the person wanting to reconnect.
- 4
We search carefully and reach out respectfully.
Will U Help uses research tools and careful outreach to look for the person from their past.
- 5
If they say yes, we help start the first step
If the person we contact is open to reconnecting, we reach back out and help facilitate the next step.
Take action
What your shelter can do today
Add the intake question
Put the question into your intake form, case management conversation, or outreach checklist.
Train staff to listen for names
Family, old friends, sponsors, mentors, churches, recovery contacts, or former employers may all matter.
Keep the form nearby
Bookmark the Reconnect Form so staff can complete it quickly while the person is still present.
Record the required short video
A short video message is required so the person being contacted can see and hear the request directly.
Safety comes first
Reconnection is not always appropriate. Will U Help does not force contact. The person requesting reconnection must give permission, and the person being contacted must also be free to say yes or no. If there are legal, safety, protection order, domestic violence, trafficking, or other concerns, reconnection may not be appropriate.
Reconnection should be safe, voluntary, and handled with dignity.
This service is free for shelters and the unsheltered
Will U Help is a nonprofit organization. We do not charge shelters or people living unsheltered for reconnection support. Our work is supported by donors who believe isolation should not be the final story.
Simple staff instructions
Ask the intake question:
“Is there someone from your past we could help you reconnect with?”
If they are unsure, ask them to think about a relative, mentor, pastor, neighbor, counselor, service member, coach, sponsor, former employer, or anyone who once cared about them.
If they say yes, complete the Reconnect Form with them.
Record the required 30+ second video.
Have them speak directly to the person they hope to reach. Before recording, ask off camera: “What would you like to say to your connection?” Once recording starts, please keep your voice out of the video. Watch an example video here.
Ask them to check back in one week.
If Will U Help locates someone who wants to reconnect, we aim to reach out within 5 business days. If they do not hear back within 5 business days, we may not yet have confirmed a willing connection. They are welcome to contact us for an update.
Important note
Will U Help cannot guarantee that we will locate the person, that the person will respond, or that reconnection will occur.
Please note
At this time, Will U Help is unable to research adoption-related reconnection requests.
Need a paper option?
Here is a printable form. Once completed, please upload it through our Contact page and be sure to upload the video or message there too.
Spread the word
Refer this program to a colleague
Know a shelter, intake coordinator, counselor, social worker, outreach team, recovery program, or nonprofit that serves people living unsheltered? Share this free reconnection program with them.
Related program
Also serving recovery programs
Some people living unsheltered are also entering detox, rehab, sober living, or recovery programs. Will U Help can support these teams with the same reconnection process.
Help someone take the first step toward reconnection.
Adding one intake question could help someone remember they are not forgotten.