Homeless Connect services those in need
Emily Dubois, Staff Reporter
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: News
| |
|
The day began with an opening ceremony where the Denver Broncos Wives Drive presented Mayor John Hickenlooper with a $35,000 check to assist in Denver's Road Home, the city's 10-year plan to end homelessness.
The doors of Invesco field officially opened at 9:00 a.m. to a line of individuals waiting for assistance. Once inside, participants were assigned to a volunteer who would help guide them through the different services being offered, including: a catered lunch, assistance with child support, an official court, massages, and employment services.
Junior Jalaine Binas said, "We got to meet a lot of different people." She continued, "I really enjoyed myself and was glad I got to help people."
Once participants had received the services that fit their needs, they were escorted to a discharge area where they could pick up clothing items such as socks, winter hats and scarves, jackets, and clothing for their children. They were also sent off with various products like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and combs.
While each student worked one-on-one helping out a homeless person or family, they also got the unique chance to learn a little bit about the people they worked with and their life stories.
Nursing student Cora Compliment said, "It was really eye-opening. You really sense just how hard it is for some of them to get off their feet. [The experience] dispelled any misconceptions we may have of the homeless."
Participants ranged from single mothers, young adults, to families with multiple children. The volunteer staff was just as unique consisting of students, faculty, community members, and bilingual helpers.
Project Homeless Connect is hosted twice a year in Denver, once in the fall and once in the spring. Denver's Road Home plans on reducing chronic homelessness by 75% in the next five years. According to Denver's Road Home, the latest survey showed that homelessness decreased 11.4% from January 2005 to January 2006.
By the Numbers
820 total served by volunteer services
565 received medical services
284 received flu shots
265 received housing referrals and services
409 received employment services
81 left with job interviews scheduled
124 left with resumes
543 received access to benefits
240 accessed legal services
50 people who are homeless accessed homeless court
70 children attended the child care center
Be the first to comment on this story