Homeless initiative starts today
Chronic problem targeted
By: Tracey Theret, Assistant City Editor
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: City
As Orange County begins today its 10-year countdown to end chronic homelessness, organizers already are preparing a large-scale collaborative event in October to help the area's homeless population.
Project Homeless Connect is a one-stop, one-day center designed to link those in need with an array of services, including health care, legal advice, benefits and employment and housing opportunities.
"Those are the two big ones, helping someone get a roof over their head and get a job," said Jamie Rohe, organizer of the event and Chapel Hill's community development program monitor.
Project Homeless Connect is one of the initiatives that will be kick-started at the Partnership to End Homelessness Executive Team meeting tonight, which signifies the first day of the 10-year plan.
The event, which will coincide with similar events in Wake and Durham counties on the same day, is sponsored by a $3,500 grant from the Triangle United Way.
Project Homeless Connect first was initiated in San Francisco, whose mayor is credited with the national model, Rohe said.
Asheville held the state's first Project Homeless Connect in 2006.
"We had about one-third of our homeless population of 200 participate," said Amy Sawyer, homeless initiative coordinator of the Asheville-Buncombe County Affordable Housing Coalition.
"Participants felt there was a great level of respect and a great access to resources."
Sawyer said the most striking part of the event was the interaction between volunteers, providers and the area's homeless participants.
"Most volunteers had never really heard stories from the homeless perspective and felt like they made real connections that they wouldn't make if they just passed them walking on the street."
Rohe said University students will play a big role in Orange County's event, with the Department of Social Work, the School of Dentistry, the Law School and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication providing services.
Campus Y, Greek organizations and campus ministries also have been contacted to help, said associate campus minister Kelly Dunlop, who will coordinate food preparation and service at the event.
Dunlop said homeless participants will each be served healthy breakfast and lunch and will be provided with a take-home dinner.
Chapel Hill Town Council member Sally Greene, also chairwoman of the Partnership to End Homelessness Executive Team, said efforts to end homelessness can't end there.
Greene said, "Project Homeless Connect is a terrific prototype of an idea that we would like to be able to employ more fully and more consistently once it gets under away."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
Project Homeless Connect
Oct. 25 at Hargraves Community Center, 216 N. Roberson St.
Get involved with Project Homeless Connect
If you want to be involved with food service or preparation, contact Kelly Dunlop at kdunlop@newman-chapelhill.org
For other volunteer inquiries, contact Jamie Rohe at jrohe@townofchapelhill.org
Project Homeless Connect is a one-stop, one-day center designed to link those in need with an array of services, including health care, legal advice, benefits and employment and housing opportunities.
"Those are the two big ones, helping someone get a roof over their head and get a job," said Jamie Rohe, organizer of the event and Chapel Hill's community development program monitor.
Project Homeless Connect is one of the initiatives that will be kick-started at the Partnership to End Homelessness Executive Team meeting tonight, which signifies the first day of the 10-year plan.
The event, which will coincide with similar events in Wake and Durham counties on the same day, is sponsored by a $3,500 grant from the Triangle United Way.
Project Homeless Connect first was initiated in San Francisco, whose mayor is credited with the national model, Rohe said.
Asheville held the state's first Project Homeless Connect in 2006.
"We had about one-third of our homeless population of 200 participate," said Amy Sawyer, homeless initiative coordinator of the Asheville-Buncombe County Affordable Housing Coalition.
"Participants felt there was a great level of respect and a great access to resources."
Sawyer said the most striking part of the event was the interaction between volunteers, providers and the area's homeless participants.
"Most volunteers had never really heard stories from the homeless perspective and felt like they made real connections that they wouldn't make if they just passed them walking on the street."
Rohe said University students will play a big role in Orange County's event, with the Department of Social Work, the School of Dentistry, the Law School and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication providing services.
Campus Y, Greek organizations and campus ministries also have been contacted to help, said associate campus minister Kelly Dunlop, who will coordinate food preparation and service at the event.
Dunlop said homeless participants will each be served healthy breakfast and lunch and will be provided with a take-home dinner.
Chapel Hill Town Council member Sally Greene, also chairwoman of the Partnership to End Homelessness Executive Team, said efforts to end homelessness can't end there.
Greene said, "Project Homeless Connect is a terrific prototype of an idea that we would like to be able to employ more fully and more consistently once it gets under away."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
Project Homeless Connect
Get involved with Project Homeless Connect
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Brian
posted 9/05/07 @ 2:52 PM EST
This is a great initiative from the town and I really hope that other communities will soon follow suit. Maybe one day the homeless people will be able to "take home dinner" somwhere besides a park bench or the woods. (Continued…)
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