Moving Ahead Partnership (MAP)
G.R.I.T. Navigator Initiative
Empowering Lives. Ending Chronic Homelessness.
In Partnership with the CityServeX Resource Coordinator System
G.R.I.T. Program Overview
G.R.I.T. stands for: Guided Resource Intervention Team. This name reflects both the practical, hands-on nature of the team and the deep commitment to long-term transformation for those they serve (GRIT-determination and courage in the face of difficulty).
The Compassion Strategies Moving Ahead Partnership (MAP) – G.R.I.T. Navigator Initiative, in partnership with the CityServeX Resource Coordinator system in Orlando, Florida, is a bold, action-driven effort designed to serve unsheltered individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness. At the heart of this initiative is a fearless, fast-acting, and volunteer-powered response force known as MAP G.R.I.T. Navigators—equipped to deliver hope, resources, and tangible results.
These team members are courageous volunteers who sacrificially give their time, talent to serve others. They go beyond helping with basic needs —they are solution-finders, passionately committed to a "Yes—never a No" mindset. Whether the obstacle is transportation, identification, shelter access, or bureaucratic red tape, the MAP G.R.I.T. Navigators keep asking, knocking, and showing up—until progress is made, no matter how long it takes.
Our Mission
To walk alongside unsheltered individuals and families through intentional mentoring, strategic resource navigation, and practical action—helping unsheltered neighbors take the critical steps needed to exit homelessness permanently.
Who We Serve
​Unsheltered individuals and families experiencing chronic or high-barrier homelessness, especially those disconnected from traditional services or resistant to engagement.
G.R.I.T. Navigator Relationships
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Volunteers serve as consistent, compassionate navigator/mentors walking side-by-side with each participant
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Built on trust, dignity, accountability, and resilience
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GRIT Navigators help individuals grow emotionally, spiritually, and practically toward life stability
The G.R.I.T. Impact
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A mobile, problem-solving unit made up of trained and committed volunteers
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Systematically, equipped and deployed to meet unsheltered individuals where they are — at the MAP Resource Center, in camps, on streets, in crisis
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Known for getting stuff done, including:
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Helping gather vital documents
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Accompanying people to appointments through safety protocols
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Coordinating transportation and housing applications
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Clearing roadblocks to access care, shelter, or family reunification
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Providing emotional support in real-time moments of need
Resource Navigation and Service Connection
Volunteers are equipped to connect individuals to the right support systems, such as:
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Emergency and transitional shelters
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Mental health and addiction recovery services
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Healthcare access
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Employment opportunities
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Housing assistance programs
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Public benefits
The "Yes First" Approach
G.R.I.T. Navigators don’t wait for perfect systems or guaranteed outcomes. Their response is always rooted in a bias toward action:
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“If this doesn’t work, what can?”
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“Who else can help?”
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“Let’s find a way!”
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Obstacles are met with creativity, persistence, and community collaboration.
Barrier Busting Fund
A donor-supported emergency fund accessible by GRIT team leaders and volunteers to meet urgent needs such as:
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Application fees
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Document replacement
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Bus passes
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Phone minutes
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Food
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One-night safety stays
Collaborative and Volunteer-Led
The GRIT Navigator Initiative mobilizes passionate volunteers from across the community— faith groups, civic clubs, lived-experience advocates, students, retirees, and professionals. Volunteers receive thorough orientation and ongoing coaching to ensure safety, effectiveness, and alignment with trauma-informed best practices.
The initiative also works closely with outreach agencies, Topeka Rescue Mission, non profits, churches, mental health providers, hospitals, government agencies, school systems and more to form a seamless network of care and support.
Expected Outcomes
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Stronger, trust-based relationships with unsheltered individuals
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20 trained and equipped volunteer G.R.I.T. Navigators deployed by end of 2026
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Average G.R.I.T. Navigators case load consists of five unsheltered individuals experiencing chronic homelessness at a time
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More rapid connection to housing and services
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Reduced length and recurrence of homelessness
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100 chronically unsheltered neighbors exiting homelessness annually
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Increased community volunteer engagement
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Restoration of dignity, stability, and long-term transformation
Part of a Bigger Vision
The Compassion Strategies MAP – G.R.I.T. Initiative is an integral component of a broader, county-wide strategy to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. These efforts integrate with One-Stop Resource Centers, Mobile Outreach Teams, and a full Housing Continuum as part of the All Hands On Deck Campaign to end chronic homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County by 2030.