The event serves as a single access point for homeless individuals and families to receive assistance, resources and services. Last year’s event in Columbia provided services to more than 100 homeless individuals and families.

Our theme again this year is “One Day. One Stop. One Community!” Project Homeless Connect relies on the participation of community members as service providers and volunteers. We are currently looking for service providers and volunteers for this year’s event. Click here to Contact Us!

The Project Homeless Connect event was held on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 in Columbia.  The event was hosted on the campus of Stephens College in the Silverthorne Arena.  The event was designed to provide one-stop access to community services for members of the homeless population within Columbia and the surrounding area, and to introduce attendees to services which they may have otherwise remained unaware.  The event was quite successful in its goals, and built solidly upon the successes of the 2009 and 2010 Project Homeless Connect.

The event attracted 138 consumers and showcased the services of over 40 service providers. Onsite services include showers, grooming/haircuts, food and clothing distribution, eye and medical testing/consultations, physical health exams, pet food dissemination, acupuncture and a childrens play area.  Attendees were provided a breakfast and lunch at the event.  The food service proved to be especially popular along with the haircuts which tend to be the most desired service.

Information promoting the event was distributed in several ways.  Flyers were posted in service provider locations throughout the community.  Additionally, a small e-mail campaign notified providers and community centers of the event.  Invitations were made available to consumers at various provider locations and shelters.  As shown in previous years, it appears that word-of-mouth was the main source of referrals to the event.

The survey responses collected from attendees were particularly valuable.  There were at total of 111 surveys completed and returned indicating that there were 138 attendees to the 2011 Project Homeless Connect. Significant increases in families attended the event in 2011 with 18 families filling out surveys.

Per the surveys collected from the 2011 event, mental illness and loss of income are the two major contributors to homelessness. The majority of those who attend had been professionally diagnosed with a mental health, physical health, and/or substance abuse concern. There was an increase in the African-American population this year with the Caucasian population remaining about the same. The veteran population remained equal to the 2010 numbers.

As always, it is the goal of Project Homeless Connect to assist those that are homeless or chronically homeless, and it appears that the 2011 event has been able to provide an increase in services to this population.

With the help of over 100 volunteers we were able to serve more than 82 participants throughout the day. We had a great time meeting all of the volunteers including a fabulous group of stylists from St. Louis and a whole crowd of Commerce Bank employees!

Read more about the event here.

Volunteers may also sign up at the volunteer trainings.