[Durham INC] Durham's 5th Annual Project Homeless Connect October 13

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

For Details, Contact:

Amy Blalock

Sr. Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 11253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release: October 6, 2011

 

 

 

Durham's 5th Annual Project Homeless Connect October 13

Free Event Tailored to Help Homeless People Connect With Needed Services

 

DURHAM, N.C. - Whether it's a hot shower, a haircut, or employment
assistance, homeless people or those at risk of homelessness can take
advantage of these types of free services and much more at Durham's 5th
Annual Project Homeless Connect.

 

On Thursday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., homeless residents and
their families are encouraged to attend this event, which will be held
at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, located at 409 Blackwell St., Durham.
This year's event is being sponsored by the City of Durham, Durham
County, AICPA, Duke University School of Nursing, the Durham Bulls,
Durham Housing Authority, N.C. Employment Security Commission,
Measurement Incorporated, World Overcomers Christian Church,
GlaxoSmithKline, and YMCA Durham Branches among others.

 

According to Lanea Foster, coordinator of Project Homeless Connect with
the City's Opening Doors Homeless Program, this annual event brings
direct critical services to homeless residents. "Project Homeless
Connect brings to these individuals and their families an opportunity
for medical screenings, a free haircut, a dental exam, assistance in
securing benefits available through Social Services, help in identifying
and applying for employment and, of course, assistance in applying for
and securing permanent housing," Foster said. 

 

Some of the other services provided at this event include sign up for
child care services, education and employment services, eye care, food,
health care, housing, legal services, veteran's services, showers, and
much more. 

 

This year's Project Homeless Connect will also feature a Youth Services
area. "We have a significant youth population that's at risk, some have
dropped out of school, others are 'couch surfing' and we want to offer
special help to them," Foster said.

 

In the past, this event has served more than 1,200 homeless or residents
at risk for homelessness, many of them veterans or families with
children. "With the downturn in the economy, we're seeing more families
near the brink. In fact, 34 percent of homeless adults indicate that
unemployment is the primary cause," Foster said. "It's not just adults
who are suffering, it is children too, since 12 percent of the homeless
in Durham are children and 18 percent of homeless adults are veterans."

 

According to Foster, in order to meet this year's goal of serving 500
residents without homes or at risk of becoming homelessness, just as
many volunteers are needed to serve these individuals. "We are
anticipating hundreds of homeless people this year, and in order to
serve them properly, we need an equal number of volunteers," Foster
said. "People interested in volunteering can sign up on our website.
We've had thousands of folks volunteer in the past and we really need
these volunteers to come out again and help us help Durham." 

 

This year's Project Homeless Connect also needs dentists and dental
technicians volunteers. Foster said donations are also needed more than
ever. Donations of nonperishable food items, new socks, diapers,
formula, and toiletry items are welcomed and people are encouraged to
visit http://DurhamTenYearPlan.com <http://DurhamTenYearPlan.com/>  for
more details on how to help.

 

For Foster, the event is a once-a-year opportunity to help Durham
residents, since homelessness dramatically elevates one's risk of
illness, injury and death. For every age group, homeless persons are
three times more likely to die than the general population. "This is a
one-day, one-stop, on-site center designed specifically for homeless
people. Our ultimate goal is to make sure every Durham resident has a
safe, decent place to call home."

 

For more information or to volunteer at Durham's 5th Annual Project
Homeless Connect, visit http://DurhamTenYearPlan.com
<http://DurhamTenYearPlan.com/>  or contact Foster at (919) 572-9292 or
by e-mail at la_naya at yahoo.com.

 

Community Development Department 

The Community Development Department is responsible for coordinating the
City's community development and neighborhood stabilization and
revitalization efforts including financial empowerment and home
retention, affordable housing, and homelessness services programs. The
City implements these services by working with developers and community
housing development organizations as well as overseeing the Opening
Doors Homeless Program. Guided by the City's Strategic Plan, the
department helps to ensure that the City has thriving, livable
neighborhoods by enhancing housing quality and affordability for Durham
residents. For more information, visit 
www.DurhamNC.gov/Departments/ComDev. 

 

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