Project Homeless Connect to "Break Cycle of Homelessness"
Patterned after a national program, the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services' "Project Homeless Connect" is designed to bring services and clients together in one location.
Martha's Village & Kitchen is the site for the Coachella Valley's First Annual Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, December 4. "Working together to break the cycle of homelessness in the Coachella Valley" is the theme of the event. Service providers, the faith-based community and volunteers will all meet on Martha's Village in Indio for an all-day session which will bring the Valley's homeless and services which are vital to them together in one place.
We would like to invite you, and your organization to participate," said Jody White, staff analyst with Homeless Programs for the County of Riverside. "In order to make this a truly successful solution-oriented event, we need your involvement. If you are interested in taking part in this effort, please feel free to contact me at 951.358.5640."
You can also e-mail your contact information to Jody White at jowhite@riversidedpss.org explaining what you and your organization would like to do at the event.
Important meetings regarding this event are coming up in the near future: First off, a planning session on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Regional Access Project Foundation (75105 Merle Drive in Palm Desert). Event organizers would like to see all the various service providers and volunteers present. Call Noel Loughrin, Fourth District Youth Advisory Council Coordinator at 760 863-8211 for more information. The Youth Advisory Council is attempting to put together hygiene kits for this event. See the October 30 story under District News for more information on that effort.
Jody White says that if your organization has not yet filled out the participant paperwork, it's vital that you do so now, and that the forms are faxed to 951 358-7755. Click here for a copy of that two-page form. A volunteer meeting will be held the day before the event (Dec. 3) from 3 p.m. till 5 p.m. at Martha's Village. White says it's mandatory for volunteers to attend that meeting.
She's also asking that everyone participating in the event wear a dark blue shirt on the event day, Dec. 4. Service providers, faith-based and community organizations and volunteers are all being asked to get the word out about the event to the homeless and near homeless. Bi-lingual volunteers are also needed to help with intake and exiting paperwork. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. White extended a personal thank you to Claudia Castorena and Martha's Village for making the venue available for this important event.