Volunteers needed for homeless project
A wide variety of services for individuals, families and veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless will be available at the fifth annual Project Homeless Connect on June 17
The event will be at the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
More than 600 people received services during the 2014 Project Homeless Connect event where 40 community agencies and organizations provided services and about 225 community volunteers contributed more than 1,000 hours of their time.
Numerous businesses, nonprofit and government agencies are participating in Project Homeless Connect.
Guests will be asked to fill out an intake form that will assess their situation, including whether they consider themselves to be homeless or at risk for being homeless (about to be evicted or foreclosed etc.) and whether they have struggled to pay housing costs such as rent, mortgages or utility bills over the past six months.
The intake form will help direct people to find or locate appropriate services.
Among the services available are:
q Bicycle repair
q Dental exam, cleaning and treatment referrals
q Employment assistance
q Financial education
q Free lunch at Cafe Connect
q Hair care
q Identification services (Montana driver’s license and birth certificate)
q Medical services, including immunizations and general health information
q Pet services, including vaccinations, microchipping, basic health checkup, spay/neuter certificate and pet supplies
q Veterans services, including transportation and housing options, medical services, re-adjustment counseling, advocacy and employment counseling
q Household items and personal care items, including clothing, accessories and sleeping bags
Volunteers and donations are being accepted to help with Project Homeless Connect. Agencies that want to participate but haven’t yet signed up may register until June 8.
Donations needed are sleeping bags, bedding and blankets, children’s clothing and summer clothing for all ages. Donations may be dropped off at the United Way office, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Suite 3.
Volunteers will assist with a specific work assignment. Volunteers must be registered and attend an orientation session before the event. Registration forms are available by calling the United Way Volunteer Center at 752-7266 or emailing caring@northwestmontanaunitedway.org.