Enjoy these short but impactful stories about how the E3 Initiative is Changing Lives
Compassion in Action: Coordinated Crisis Response at Lucas Place II
At Lucas Place II, a moment of concern became a powerful example of what happens when partners lead with compassion instead of judgment. When a non-resident’s presence raised concerns of possible criminal activity, Evansville Police Department’s Crime Prevention officers responded swiftly. But instead of defaulting to enforcement, they took time to listen and assess the true nature of the situation.
What they found was not a threat—but a need. A Veteran in mental health crisis required care, not cuffs. As officers ensured the resident’s safety, a second Veteran approached, voicing his own mental health struggles. ECHO Housing staff stayed by his side, offering reassurance until Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare (SWBH) arrived on site.
Through real-time coordination, both Veterans received immediate crisis intervention and were connected to mental health care. Thanks to this unified response, both remain safely housed and supported today. It’s a reminder that healing begins when communities lead with humanity.
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Housing Success Begins Behind the Walls: Pre-Release Planning That Works
After years of struggling with homelessness, untreated mental illness, and addiction, one man’s story began to shift—while he was still behind bars. Recognizing his need for help, EPD’s Crime Prevention Officer, ECHO Housing staff, and clinicians from SWBH coordinated a pre-release intervention, placing the individual at the center of a plan for his future.
He expressed a desire for stability and treatment. The team built a roadmap: housing placement, transportation upon release, access to medical care, and intensive wraparound services. The moment he stepped out of incarceration, support was waiting.
His path has not been perfect—relapse and legal challenges have surfaced—but he is still housed, still working toward healing, and still supported by a system that refuses to give up. This is the E³ Initiative at its best: engaging early, planning thoroughly, and following through.
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A Safe Exit: Supporting a Vulnerable Woman Toward Stability
She had been living in constant danger—exploited, unhoused, and overwhelmed by untreated mental illness. Her survival came at a high cost, including criminal activity rooted in desperation. But she wasn’t beyond help—she just needed the right team.
EPD’s Crime Prevention Officer removed her from immediate danger, and ECHO staff secured a safe emergency shelter placement. While she found rest for the first time in weeks, SWBH began engaging her in mental health services and stability planning.
Today, she is on a path toward permanent housing. This multi-agency response ensured her safety, dignity, and a chance to reclaim her life. It’s a testament to what can happen when systems align to protect—not punish—the most vulnerable.
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Protecting Homes, Navigating Justice
For many living in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), stability is fragile. Mental health struggles and substance use can create legal entanglements that threaten everything. But eviction or incarceration doesn’t have to be the next step.
When several PSH residents faced arrest warrants, ECHO staff and EPD’s Crime Prevention Officer stepped in—not to shield them from accountability, but to ensure the legal system didn’t derail their housing. Through advocacy, court coordination, and ongoing case management, residents received support to meet their legal obligations without losing their homes.
By keeping people housed, these efforts prevent deeper cycles of instability. This is justice with compassion—and it works.
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Preventing Tragedy: A Life-Saving Crisis Response for a Veteran in Need
A Veteran in deep despair had a plan—to end his life. He owned multiple firearms and had made the terrifying decision to provoke police into taking his life. But someone made a call. And that call saved him.
EPD’s Crime Prevention Officer and ECHO staff located the Veteran at Brentwood Springs. After a compassionate and urgent assessment, the officer worked through the courts to enact a red flag law, temporarily removing firearms from his possession. This act, paired with clinical intervention, gave the Veteran a chance to breathe, heal, and begin treatment.
He is now stabilized, housed, and actively receiving care. This intervention didn’t just preserve public safety—it preserved a life.
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Crisis Averted: Preventing a Veteran’s ‘Suicide by Cop’
It was a call no one ever wants to answer. A Veteran in crisis had made a devastating decision—he planned to provoke law enforcement into a fatal confrontation. But what happened next changed everything.
ECHO Housing staff and EPD officers responded with urgency and empathy. They found the Veteran, spoke to him calmly, and listened. Instead of confrontation, they offered care. The Veteran surrendered willingly, and was connected to Crosspoint for immediate treatment and support.
This coordinated effort prevented tragedy—for the Veteran, the officers, and the community. It’s a stark reminder that de-escalation saves lives, and partnership builds the bridge to recovery.
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