Nathan Kesti walks about eight miles a day through downtown Duluth. He’s the Outreach Specialist for the organization called Downtown Duluth.

He’s the point of contact for businesses who may need help handling situations with the unhoused. And he’s gotten to know so many on a personal basis.

“I check in with folks, make sure they have breakfast. Check to see if they have important appointments to get to. Or remind them it’s laundry day,” he explained.

“I think it’s about compassion, consistency, and accountability. And I think if you show up for folks every single day, that’s one of a million dollar rewards, when people afterwards thank you for not giving up on them,” he shared.

He’s helped 45 people get into housing and 47 into treatment. And that’s just in the span of less than two years.

“Most people out here are not a threat. But one thing that is hard for a lot of us to recognize is that if we’re having a bad day, we can go home and sit in our house. If you’re unsheltered, you don’t have that privilege to have a bad day behind closed doors. But it doesn’t justify inappropriate behavior and doesn’t justify making people feel unsafe,” he added.

Business owners like Jeff Schmidt are grateful. Schmidt owns Lizzards Gallery right on Superior Street.

“One person who was severely mentally ill was creating a mess every day. Nathan was able to connect with him, and now this man is thriving. That’s just one of the many people he’s helped. And he answers our calls for help right away,” Schmidt added.

Kesti’s position is funded through grants, and the money is running out. So Downtown Duluth is encouraging the public to step up and help keep it going.

“This is our priority,” said Kristi Stokes, president of Downtown Duluth. “We want to make downtown a more welcoming place for all and this is one of positions really plays a key role in that.”

If you’d like to help fund the Outreach Specialist position: https://www.downtownduluth.com/outreach-program/