Project Homeless Connect Helps Hundreds

On October 28^th, 786 homeless individuals lined up outside the Tacoma Armory, seeking help and support at Project Homeless Connect. Some of the participants had been waiting in line all night long. As the Salvation Army truck pulled up to the curb side to provide warm coffee, snacks and breakfast to those who waited, this would be, for some, one of two meals we provided at the event that day. At 9:00am, the doors opened, and 100 volunteers and over 60 agencies waited to greet and serve each person with love, kindness and a smile.

Imagine being homeless and not knowing where to find support. Project Homeless Connect gives individuals a starting place on their journey back to stability. Access Point 4 housing, our county’s centralized response for connecting homeless people to a place to live, screened 60 families for housing. Mental health and domestic violence counselors were there to answer questions and concerns that attendees had. Those without health insurance were signed up for Medicaid on the spot. After signing up, they could meet with five insurance carriers about their health care needs right then and there.

Over 210 people walked away with new haircuts provided by local barber students from BJ’s Barber School. All participants accessed giveaways ranging from socks, shoes, and a jacket to good books for their enjoyment or for their children. Many homeless people need photo ID to connect to essential supports and benefits or drive to interviews, but they cannot afford the expense. The event provided more than $2,000 in new ID’s so people can now access resources.

Each of our 60+ providers is important to those that enter looking for services, but there is one incredible service at each event that provides immediate relief for attendees, and big smiles. Volunteer dentists, Pierce County’s dental van, and dental students from local colleges arrived at the event first and were the last to leave. These providers donated more than $60,000.00 in dental services to those in need, but to people who received free dental work, PHC showed that “a smile is worth a million bucks” when it means pain relief and a fresh start.