A Project Homeless Connect is a chance for individuals in our community to get a "hand up." They were given that chance today with the offer of FREE resources such as clothing, toiletries, haircuts, food and wellness services. While I was there, Commissioner Ryan Maier had already done five haircuts. Our city attorney, Glen Torcivia was there along with his significant other volunteering and helping out with this growing crisis. Ryan and Glen have worked together in the past with the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County.
In addition to the The Homeless Coalition, many other service providers were there to assist with temporary crisis situations. The city of Lake Worth was represented. Providers included housing programs, veterans services, medicaid/medicare, Homeless Outreach Team (H.O.T), and food stamps.
I stopped and chatted at most of the booths. The Veterans Resource Center reaches out to homeless veterans and offers assistance to them where needed. They are located at the VA Medical Center on Blue Heron Blvd and Military Trail in West Palm Beach.
I was told that The Homeless Coalition sponsors Project Homeless Connect four times a year in various areas of the country. It is a national program that brings together community volunteers, government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, service providers, faith organizations, and the private sector to help end homelessness. Services include: free food, clothing, haircuts, health screening, vision checks, eyeglasses, bikes, and comfort kits. In addition, resources, referrals and assistance are provided for housing, food stamps, employment, obtaining identification cards, and other direct services. As I was leaving, there were some people waiting for a free HIV screening.
I was so encouraged to see all of the programs that are provided to the homeless and to those who just are in need of help. When you don't know where to turn, you can dial 211 which is a free and confidential help service 24/7. I was especially honored to be among so many wonderful volunteers looking out for our most needy.
If you care to donate, Click here. They need all the help that they can get.
I can't believe this is a county-wide event and so few showed up. Why don't they want free services? It is a shame because I was hoping this would fix all our vagrant problems.
ReplyDeleteMost have no transportation...just their feet. Can you give anyone a break?
ReplyDeleteI understand they received free bus passes and we are a walkable town.
ReplyDeleteFree bus passes outta here?
ReplyDeleteJust like thy do in New York, DiBlasio even gives them a plane ride... As far away as California, Florida and one family he paid for them to fly to France. Yep it's true. We're just a poor little town, what we need is a philanthropist like Trump.
ReplyDeleteI believe what we need are places for them to live and be able to get a job. They're people in need.
ReplyDeleteThey're people in need of drugs and more drugs, they don't want to better themselves, its Pollyanna to imagine otherwise.
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