Meet the man connecting Richmonders to the resources they need

RICHMOND, Va. — Leon Dangerfield likely knows downtown Richmond better than anyone.

A social service outreach specialist contracted through Venture Richmond, he's known as "The Connector," tasked with building relationships with people who may be unsheltered or displaying signs that they may be unstable, due to drug use or mental health problems, while on his walks through the city.

"I'm out here every day," Dangerfield said. "Whether it’s taking somebody who needs to get to Daily Planet for medical appointments, I would take them there and help them set up appointments, or somebody applying for SNAP benefits, or Medicaid, whatever the need is to get them from their current situation to a more stable one, that’s my role. And sometimes it’s just to add a laugh.”

We were on a walk with him in Richmond's Arts District when he noticed someone shouting nearby. It was of the many people he's formed relationships with during his time surveying the area for anyone who may need assistance.

"See that, right there," he said. "We're going to address that soon, but she's in psychosis right now. And some of them just want attention. Sometimes they just want you to listen. So, I'm the ear. If me listening to you can help you, then I'll be the ear."

There's a reason why Dangerfield does this every day.

"A person is more susceptible to listen to you if they can relate to you," Dangerfield said, reflecting on a time in his past when he, too, needed help connecting to resources. "Every step that I work with somebody on, it's almost like I get a piece of me back."

Dangerfield sometimes works alongside Richmond police.

More recently, he's been a point person for the Art District's Community Watch Group, made up of around 120 people representing around 85 businesses, first reported by Axios Richmond.

"There were some pretty severe instances in the summer," said Liz Kincaid, CEO of RVA Hospitality and owner of several restaurants in the area. "Crime had really ticked up, whether it was gun violence or knife violence. And through that, we were scared, and I think it brought us all together to really find some long-term solutions." Read More