January 24, 2018
Additional Volunteers, Servicer Providers and Donations Urgently Needed for Project Homeless Connect — Downtown San Diego
The San Diego Housing Commission is the lead organizer for this one-day resource fair
SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diegans were urged today to volunteer, provide needed services, and donate shoes, blankets and other items to assist the homeless individuals and families that will fill Golden Hall for The 12th Project Homeless Connect – Downtown San Diego one week from today.
“Collaboration among individual volunteers, businesses, service providers, and government leaders is essential to the success of Project Homeless Connect,” said City Council President Myrtle Cole, who donated a blanket and socks at a news conference today. “That is why we are here today to encourage San Diegans to participate in this event.”
Project Homeless Connect will be held on Wednesday, January 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Golden Hall. This one-day resource fair provides homeless San Diegans with opportunities to access a variety of services and resources to meet their immediate and longer-term needs.
“I had the opportunity to participate last year and witness the collaboration and good will of so many San Diegans and our service providers,” said City Councilmember Chris Ward, the Honorary Chair of this year’s Project Homeless Connect, who donated socks today. “We’re certainly welcoming all San Diegans to help us volunteer and make donations here so that next Wednesday we will have a very successful event.”
An additional 50 volunteers are still needed to help guide homeless individuals to the services available on-site and to help serve a warm meal, provided by Father Joe’s Villages.
“San Diegans are known for responding to help those in need. I look forward to seeing the impact our volunteers and service providers will have at Project Homeless Connect this year,” said City Councilmember Chris Cate, who also donated socks.
Dozens of service providers have already signed up to offer a range of services, from flu shots and Hepatitis A vaccinations, to haircuts and identification cards from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. However, additional providers are still needed.
Of special need this year are additional service providers to connect participants with employment and housing services, and to provide haircuts.
“One of the biggest issues we have is getting enough providers to come down and assist and help out,” said City Councilmember Scott Sherman. “The best way you can be of the most impact to help with the homeless situation, if you want to provide those services, is go through the channels that are helping these people who are stepping forth and saying, ‘We want the help; we want to get off the streets.’”
Volunteers and service providers can register on the San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) website, www.sdhc.org.
In addition, donated items help to meet the more immediate needs of homeless San Diegans.
“Every donation – no matter how big or small – goes a long way … If you’re a business owner and you are able to make a large donation, you can also do so, and we encourage you to,” said
City Councilmember David Alvarez, who donated jackets.
The most needed donations are:
- New or gently used backpacks;
- New small- and medium-sized blankets;
- New socks; and
- New or gently used closed-toe shoes
Donations may be dropped off at Golden Hall at the San Diego Community Concourse, 202 C St., on the day before the event, Tuesday, January 30, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“Project Homeless Connect is a great example of the spirit of collaboration in San Diego to address homelessness,” SDHC President & CEO Richard C. Gentry said.
Staff from the programs of SDHC’s HOUSING FIRST – SAN DIEGO homelessness action plan will be on-site to help Project Homeless Connect participants. In addition, the Regional Task Force on the Homeless will provide staff to help homeless San Diegans with an assessment that helps to identify the most appropriate housing options, as well as which homeless individuals are the most vulnerable.
San Diego’s first responders, who interact with homeless individuals daily, also urged San Diegans to support Project Homeless Connect.
“It’s critical that homeless San Diegans receive the help they need from the folks at Project Homeless Connect,” San Diego Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said. “Please consider volunteering or making a donation.”
The San Diego Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team will be handing out flyers to homeless San Diegans to provide them with information about the event.
“Many of them are excited about the opportunity this event provides for them to get some of the services that they need to start getting themselves back on track,” said San Diego Police Lt. Carole Beason of the Homeless Outreach Team.
Last year Project Homeless Connect assisted 1,016 homeless San Diegans, with the help of more than 300 volunteers and more than 80 service providers.
For the eighth consecutive time, SDHC is the lead organizer for Project Homeless Connect.
Major organizing partners are: the City of San Diego; Father Joe’s Villages; Family Health Centers of San Diego; and the Interfaith Shelter Network.
For more information, visit www.sdhc.org.
###
Media Contact:
Scott Marshall,
Vice President of Communications,
(619) 578-7138,
scottm@sdhc.org
