Volunteers Still Needed For Annual Project Homeless Connect

MyEverettNews.com has covered the annual Project Homeless Connect as it has grown over the years and would like to pass along that volunteers are still needed to help at this great event.

There is a volunteer orientation on July 19th. To learn more about volunteering click here.

And here is more about Project Homeless Connect…

What:
Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is an annual, one-day event that brings together, in a single location, a wide variety of community volunteers and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Direct services are provided on site to help combat homelessness and related issues. More than 1,000 individuals of all ages and families experiencing homelessness are expected to attend this year.

When:
Thursday, July 20, 2017
· 8:30 a.m.: Welcome address to volunteers by Councilwoman Cassie Franklin
· 9 a.m.: Doors open, guests arrive
· 2 p.m.: Last guests are welcomed
· 3pm: Event closes

Where:
Evergreen Middle School
7621 Beverly Ln, Everett

Background:
The annual one-day event assembles more than 90 agencies and resource groups to provide individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a number of free, direct services. These include access to state and federal benefits, veterans’ services, medical and dental appointments, mental health support, haircuts, a hot meal, housing information and coordinated entry. Mobile showering, laundry services, and clothing giveaways will also be onsite this year.

Project Homeless Connect builds on a national model to deliver immediate services, as well as improve long-term access to services. In Snohomish County, this event is a collaboration between Snohomish County Human Services Department, United Way of Snohomish County, City of Everett, Catholic Community Services, Providence Regional Medical Center, multiple nonprofits, and volunteers. This year’s leading sponsor is the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound.

Project Homeless Connect is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/phcsnoco, on Twitter at @phcsnoco and on the web at www.uwsc.org/phcsnoco.
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Through a collaborative effort between Snohomish County, City of Everett, and numerous service organizations, Snohomish County has hosted a Project Homeless event annually since 2008. Over the years, the event has continued to grow and serve those experiencing homelessness and those at risk of being homeless in our county. Since the event’s inception, the number of services offered has greatly expanded and the number of clients coming to the event has grown.

This event brings together hundreds of providers and community volunteers, all of whom donate their time and services to provide clients with access to necessary resources. Everyone who attends the event is served a hot meal in a cafe setting, and is free to access any services they might need. Over the years, some of the most popular services have been dental appointments, backpack and toiletry giveaways, haircuts, and shoe distribution.

The lead agency of the event has shifted over the years from Housing Hope, Cocoon House, Snohomish County Health and Human Services, and now, to United Way of Snohomish County.