Homeless helpers join forces

As part of the fourth annual Project Homeless Connect on June 12, several nonprofit agencies and organizations are launching H.I.R.E. — Flathead Homelessness Interagency Resource and Education — in the Flathead Valley.

The official kickoff is 9 a.m. Thursday and will feature presentations by Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson and Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Darlene Schottle. The event will be held on the lawn of the Samaritan House at the former armory building across from Peterson Elementary School in Kalispell.

The executive committee of the group will be introduced.

H.I.R.E. is the result of a year-long effort by many local nonprofit agencies and organizations, including Samaritan House, Community Action Partnership, Abbey Shelter, Flathead Youth Home, Flathead County/City Health Center, United Way, Neighbors in Need, School Districts 5 and 50, Veterans of Montana, Flathead Valley Youth Shelter Committee, Flathead Job Service, Rural Dynamics and Family Concepts/Sunburst.

The mission is to promote interagency collaboration to address homelessness.

The H.I.R.E. logo was designed by a Flathead High School student.