An unexpected encounter
that changed everything

Because sometimes, everything can shift — for the better.
Today, we’re out on outreach. Our goal: to find Ms. T.*, a patient who disappeared from the hospital a few days ago. Worry is growing, so we comb through Brussels, neighborhood by neighborhood. We decide to stop by La Fontaine (a hygiene center) — maybe someone there has seen her recently?

But along the way, we run into Mr. G., another patient we’ve been following on the street — though we rarely manage to catch him. He moves around a lot, and we often pass by without noticing. Today, he’s there. And he’s not doing well. At all. He tells us he’s never felt this bad on the street. Everything’s too hard. He doesn’t know where to start. He’s totally discouraged. We look at each other. The dilemma is real: do we continue looking for Ms. T., or stay with Mr. G.?

We choose to stay. Because right now, he needs help. And maybe this is the only window of opportunity that will open for a long time. He tells us everything that’s on his mind: his CPAS file, his health, emergency shelter, the box where his belongings are stored… It all feels overwhelming. We try to help him set a priority: for him, it’s clear — his CPAS situation needs to be resolved. Urgently.

It’s 3pm on a Monday. We know it’s going to be tight, but we give it a shot. Off to CPAS headquarters. Mr. G. is tense, angry at everything — never at us, but the outbursts are frequent and unpredictable. We deal with it.

First stroke of luck: CPAS is still open. We’re redirected to his former office. It’s 3:30pm. We call. They say it’s open, as long as we arrive before 4:30pm. We set off again. For him, the journey is tough: his foot hurts badly, and he hasn’t eaten all day. We stop for a snack.

Start your project

4:10pm. We arrive after what feels like an obstacle course. Mr. G. breaks down. Too tired, too much hope, too much waiting. He hesitates, gets angry, says he won’t go in… then changes his mind. Again. And again.

At the reception, we’re told it’s too late. They offer an appointment for Thursday at 2pm. But we know how uncertain those appointments can be for someone who often doesn’t even know what day it is.

And then — a second stroke of luck: his former social worker walks by. He recognizes Mr. G., understands the situation… and agrees to meet him immediately.

In 30 minutes, everything is back on track: his file is reopened, his box is secured, his belongings won’t be thrown away. And most importantly, Mr. G. breathes a little easier. He stands a bit taller. Once again, there’s a possibility.

This afternoon hung by a thread.
But that thread held — because several people believed in it.

Thank you to those who shift their schedules, bend the rules, make space for the unexpected. Because it’s often in those little “off-script” moments that real change happens.