They are people many choose to look past and not see. And those who do see homeless people scattered throughout Delray Beach tend to look away.
Yet over the last four years a growing number of caring people have been looking out for others who call Delray Beach home — even if they have no permanent place to live.
Most visible among those who work closely with the city’s homeless people are members of the Delray Beach Police Department’s community outreach team. It includes two police officers and Ariana Ciancio, a licensed mental health counselor who serves as the city’s service population advocate.
Behind them — and less visible — is an informal circle of representatives from social service and other organizations who have made it possible for the city to offer service unmatched by any other community in Palm Beach County and perhaps South Florida.