Editor’s Update Fri June 10th 6:00PM: Here’s the final update from United Way of Snohomish County on those participating this year…
Before the doors opened at 9 a.m. for this year’s Project Homeless Connect, there was already a line out the door. As the event began, hundreds of guests streamed into Evergreen Middle School in Everett to access services like foot care, dental checkups, and haircuts.
All told, approximately 1,000 individuals were served by the seventh annual Project Homeless Connect in Snohomish County, a one-day event providing free direct services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Project Homeless Connect builds on a national model to deliver immediate services and to improve long-term access to services. Begun in Snohomish County in 2008, this event is a collaboration among the Snohomish County Human Services Department, United Way of Snohomish County, Snohomish Health District, City of Everett, multiple nonprofits, volunteers and the Homeless Policy Task Force. This year’s leading sponsor is the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound.
A total of 82 providers and 150 volunteers made this event possible. Of the approximately 1,000 attendees, 260 were children, and 186 were aged 55 or over. During the registration process, guests were asked about food insecurity. Of those responding to this question, 77% reported feeling worried or stressed about having money for nutritious meals some of the time, 33% reported always feeling stressed about their next meal.
Everett Gospel Mission organized the meal service this year. Guests were seated and served by volunteers in a restaurant setting, and given a choice of appetizers and hot entrees. This table service is a hallmark of the event, and something that guests look forward to.
Guests at the event also had the option of receiving a backpack with toiletries, a new pair of sneakers, a family portrait, immunizations and more. There was also child care available on-site.
Project Homeless Connect can be found online at http://www.uwsc.org/phcsnoco.php>”>www.uwsc.org/phcsnoco.php<_tmp_url_0_>;, on Facebook at Project Homeless Connect – Snohomish County<http://www.facebook.com/phcsnoco> and on Twitter at @phcsnoco<http://www.twitter.com/phcsnoco>.
Mobile medical and dental clinics are lined up outside Evergreen Middle School.
By 10:30am more than 3 dozen veterans were being helped.
Free vision and hearing testing was available.
Volunteers served hot meals in the cafeteria.
Free haircuts were a popular choice among attendees.
Hundreds of people volunteered their time.
A photo of your family can be hard to come by when you’re homeless.
Hundreds of free backpacks were being filled with needed items.
Pets received free nail trimming as well as a check up.
This guy seems to be enjoying his exam.
By the time today is through more than 1200 people and 150 pets are expected to have received care of some sort at the annual Project Homeless Connect at Evergreen Middle School in south Everett. Five dozen different agencies and resource groups are providing access to health care, state and federal benefits, personal hygiene kits, eyeglasses, pet care, veterans services and even free haircuts and a hot meal. The event is a collaboration among various agencies and this year is being coordinated by United Way of Snohomish County. Here are a few photos from today. We’ll update with the total number of folks served when we get that information tomorrow.
July 9, 2015
Events in Everett, Everett