---
title: Supporting the Unsheltered in Burke County, NC
description: This podcast episode offers a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of providing ground-level support to the unsheltered. The guests from Burke United Christian Ministries share firsthand stories of outreach, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are—both physically and emotionally. They discuss the complexities of building trust with individuals who have often experienced trauma, systemic neglect, and social isolation.
---

[What's New at NWAHEC](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog)

# [Supporting the Unsheltered in Burke County, NC](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/supporting-the-unsheltered-in-burke-county-nc)

 Written by [Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/author/andrew-brewer) | May 27, 2025 1:46:34 PM

[In this episode of the Healthcare Insights podcast](https://soundcloud.com/nwahecwebmaster/hi-ep-124-realities-of-ground-level-support-for-the-unsheltered-in-burke-county-nc), you will hear the ground level experiences of two wonderful humans working directly with the unsheltered in Burke County, NC. Alice Horton, Director of the Burke United Christian Ministries and Karen Russell, Director of the HOPE Center share their stories of outreach and the importance of meeting people where they are.

Find out what it is like on the street level of care and service. Learn about the ways to connect communities and partner with organizations for a common goal of serving the needs of everyone in the community.

For those working in healthcare—especially in community health, behavioral health, or emergency medicine—this episode is a powerful reminder of the human stories behind the statistics. It challenges listeners to consider how their own practices can be more empathetic and responsive to the needs of the unsheltered.

Whether you’re a nurse, physician, social worker, or public health advocate, this episode provides valuable context for understanding the lived realities of homelessness in rural North Carolina and the grassroots efforts making a difference.

Listen to this episode, subscribe, or browse a list of previous episodes at the [Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina on SoundCloud](https://soundcloud.com/nwahecwebmaster).

Click the play button below to listen now. Or search for "Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina" and click on episode 124 wherever you get your podcasts.

[Northwest AHEC Healthcare Insights](https://soundcloud.com/nwahecwebmaster) · [H.I. Ep. 124 - Realities of ground level support for the unsheltered in Burke County, NC](https://soundcloud.com/nwahecwebmaster/hi-ep-124-realities-of-ground-level-support-for-the-unsheltered-in-burke-county-nc)

 

[View full post](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/supporting-the-unsheltered-in-burke-county-nc)

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