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 “Instead of serving homeless people endlessly, our mission is to end their homelessness. In city after city, Project Homeless Connect becomes the living room of the community where we welcome those who have become metaphorically and literally exiled to the periphery of our community into our house of hospitality and welcome, to offer the resources to remedy the long misery of homelessness.
US Interagency Council
on Homelessness
Executive Director
Philip Mangano
December 2008. Immediacy, Hospitality, and Results are the hallmarks of the Project Homeless Connect innovation. Over the past several days, over 25 communities from Connecticut to California, from Tennessee to Texas have participated in the Fourth Annual National Project Homeless Connect Week facilitated by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Working side-by-side in a new configuration focused on problem solving and results, thousands of community volunteers, service providers, and the business community, encouraged by their local elected leaders and joined by state and federal partners, have welcomed their homeless neighbors to a one day, one-stop that offers immediate access to resources (see chart below) that create a pathway out of homelessness.
In a Presidential message delivered to the Council and read at the Connect events around the country, President George W. Bush sent greetings and expressed appreciation to all those involved in the week's events for their "dedicated efforts to give all Americans the opportunity to realize their full potential." With the encouragement of the Council, over 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have adopted the innovation of Project Homeless Connect over the last three years. Please visit our National Project Homeless Connect web page to learn more about this field-tested, evidence-based practice that effectively engages homeless consumers and offers immediate access to resources that create the trajectory out of homelessness. Read More about some of the 2008 National Week events.
Jurisdictional Leadership:
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Miami Mayor Manny Diaz (left) is joined by Council Director Mangano at Miami’s December 12 Connect Event, known as Miami Cares. At a press conference that morning, where Mayor Diaz as President of the US Conference of Mayors had unveiled USCM’s latest Hunger and Homelessness Report revealing a reported 16% decrease in homelessness in Miami over the past year, Director Mangano praised Mayor Diaz for his leadership. |
Council Director Mangano (center) shown here with Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez (left) and William Farley, Chair, Journey Home 10 Year Plan and President, CBRE, Connecticut |
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Manchester, NH Mayor Frank Guinta with Council Director Mangano at the opening rally for Manchester’s 2nd Project Homeless Connect, and the first since the Mayor unveiled the city 10 Year Plan, "At Home for Everyone," in February. |
San Francisco held its 25th Project Homeless Connect since originating the idea in 2004. 1915 homeless and at risk San Franciscans were assisted by 1273 volunteers at this latest event. Pictured here, l-r. is Mayor Gavin Newsom with San Francisco PHC Executive Director Judith Klain, and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Region 9 Coordinator Ed Cabrera. |
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United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano joined St. Louis, MO Mayor Francis Slay and East St. Louis, IL Mayor Alvin Parks, Jr. at their regional Project Homeless Connect held at Harris-Stowe State University. Pictured here, l-r, Antoinette Triplett, Program Manager, Homeless Services Division; Dr. George Hyram, Executive V.P, Harris-Stowe State University; Director Mangano; Mayor Slay; Antonio S. Byrd, Homeless Services Div.and 2008 PHC Coordinator; Mayor Parks; and William Siedhoff, Director, St. Louis City Department of Human Services |
In Nashville, TN, Council Director Mangano joined Howard Gentry, former Vice Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville, and Davidson County; Metro Homelessness Commissioner Luvenia Butler; Erik Cole, Chair of the Homeless Commission and elected member of the Metro Council; Clifton Harris, the Metro Commission's Homeless Services Coordinator; Rita Roberts-Turner, Chief of Staff to Mayor Karl Dean, and J. Hunter Atkins, the President of the Bank of Nashville in welcoming volunteers and homeless guests. Candy Christmas, a veteran Gospel performer whose faith-based Bridge Ministry provides essentials to people living on the streets, sang at the event rally and welcome. |
Federal and State Partners:
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The Connecticut Department of Labor brought its Career Express Van to help those seeking employment at the Hartford Project Homeless Connect. |
Social Security officials were ready to assist with benefits applications at many of the PHCs. Pictured here are SSA staff at the St. Louis PHC.
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Connecticut Field Office staff, including Suzanne Piacentini, Director Multi-Family Housing Center; CeCe Peppers, CPD Representative; Carmen Rodriguez, Staff Assistant, were on hand to help consumers attending the Hartford PHC.
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Special assistance was provided to veterans at Hartford's PHC.
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Project Homeless Connect brings together volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
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1273 volunteers participated at San Francisco's 25th Project Homeless Connect December 3rd. |
In Hartford, 40 students from Brio Academy of Cosmetology styled and cut hair, did hand massages and manicures. |
WHAT ARE SOME KEY SERVICES BEING OFFERED AT
PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT EVENTS?
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- Housing/ Shelter/ Stabilization
- Family Reunification
- Employment/ Job Readiness
- Medicaid, Social Security Benefits
- Welfare and Veterans Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Orthopedic Services
- Drug/Alcohol/Mental Health Treatment
- Legal Counsel/ Therapeutic Courts
- Teen and Youth Services
- DMV for Identification Cards
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- Elder/ Family / Childcare Services
- Pet Care
- Credit Counseling/ Banking
- Transportation
- Case Management/ Triage
- Mail, Phone, Voicemail Services
- Food and Beverage
- Haircuts, Massage, Foot Care
- Showers/ Hygiene Kits
- Eye Exams / Eyeglasses
- Bicycle / Wheelchair Repair
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