She said the eventual goal was to close that gap and create a system where someone like Alicia, who might have been arrested for fighting or shoplifting, could get shelter, cash and an identification card immediately.
These kind gestures that Rachlin and Almond had towards Alicia resulted in a positive outcome rather than a more significant downfall to Alcia's life if she were to be ignored. Without those people by her side, she would have shoplifted and gotten into more conflicts. This concept is often perceived as the butterfly effect, where a minor action by one subject can result in a major catastrophe.