This isn’t breaking news, by any means, but I just came across this YouTube video. It’s from our local United Way and has a great message about homelessness.
Project Homeless Connect is a nationwide movement to end homelesses. In Eugene, the event is held at the Lane County Fairgrounds. In just one day, 1,007 adults, youth and families who were homeless or at risk of being homeless sought help to meet basic needs.
Project Homeless Connect is a collaborative effort between Lane County, the cities of Eugene and Springfield, and United Way along with more than 150 individual donors.
724 contacts were made with area housing assistance programs
115 legal consultations
74 sessions low income energy assistance for those at risk of homelessness
208 haircuts by Willamette Hair Stylists and Supercuts
12 dental exams and 55 dental vouchers and 60 medical vouchers were distributed
63 flu shots, 68 diabetes screenings, 120 vision and hearing screenings, 450 vitals
46 library services
700 personal hygiene kits, 600 pairs of socks
420 blankets
390 food boxes
100 bicycles repaired; 8 bike helmets
40 burley bikes trailers
45 pets received veterinarian services along with 40 spay/neuter vouchers
137 veterans services
55 DMV assistance
258 benefits area (food stamps, social security, TANF etc.)
Breakfast and lunch served to more than 1,000
Congratulations to my colleagues at many of these agencies that made this event happen. It’s a community effort that serves some of the most vulnerable and puts a face on homelessness in our community.
This is a great event! I know a lot of people who are homeless or on the brink of being homeless and this really gives them the opportunity to seek resources and learn about what the community has to offer. However, I don’t think that advertising is utilized in an appropriate way to reach this target group. None the less it’s still needed and volunteers are the core of the events success. I encourage people to do so, I did.