Event aims to be one-stop help for homeless

Local social-service organizations in Cape Girardeau County have prepared all year for a major, daylong event to help those who are homeless or verging on homelessness become more self-sufficient.

Project Homeless Connect, held the first Friday in October, gathers dozens of vendors to provide services to hundreds of men, women and children.

This year, organizers hopes to serve at least 300 people, said Jessica Hill, executive director for Safe House for Women. Safe House is the coordinating agency this year, taking the reins from Community Caring Council, which took the lead the first three years.

All of those people pouring into the Osage Centre on Friday requires many pairs of helping hands. Hill said there remains a need for volunteers, especially those who serve from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We need volunteers to help mainly as navigators, which are people who walk through the event with participants and ensure that they find all the services they need that day," she said.

Navigation is no small task, given that dozens of vendors will set up tables. Most of the services are immediate. That's what makes the event unique, Hill added. Few opportunities exist to take advantage of so many services under one roof at one time.

"It's everything from haircuts to clothing, shower facilities, hygiene items, groceries, as well as medical screenings, vision screenings, dental care," Hill said. "Then, on top of that, we have providers who connect us with housing resources, employment resources and all kinds of documentation, [such as] birth certificates and driver's licenses."

Legal assistance, veterans' resources and children and family resources also will be available.

Parents can leave children at the "kids zone" that is stocked with snacks and activities as they visit tables, she said. Lunch is free.

Cape Girardeau County Transit also has stepped up to provide a free bus route that will make stops at the Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway, throughout the day. Locations on the circuit include Red Star Baptist Church at 1301 N. Main St., the transit depot at 937 Broadway and the Cape Girardeau County Health Center at 1121 Linden St., among others.

"It's amazing, the response from our local agencies and service providers. Their willingness to give their whole day to this event is tremendous," Hill said. "It says a lot about the Cape Girardeau community."

For those who wish to volunteer for the event, more information is available by calling Safe House for Women at (573) 335-7745 or by emailing phcvolunteer@semosafehouse.org.

Anyone unable to volunteer that day but is interested in helping can play a role. Hill encourages anyone who knows of a friend or neighbor who may be in need to be sure they are aware of the event.

"We really just need people to spread the word to folks they know who may be facing the threat of homelessness or with financial difficulties who could benefit from the event," she said. "We want to be sure everyone who could benefit from services at Project Homeless Connect is there that day."

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

1625 N. Kingshighway St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1301 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

937 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1121 Linden St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Project Homeless Connect bus route

A Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority bus will provide free transportation to Project Homeless Connect, stopping at the following locations. The last bus will leave the Osage Centre at 2:55 p.m.

• Transit depot, 937 Broadway *-- leaves at the top of the hour
• Cape Girardeau County Health Center, 1121 Linden St. *-- leaves 10 minutes after every hour
• South Sprigg and Hickory streets *-- leaves 15 minutes after every hour
• Jefferson Avenue and South Sprigg Street *-- leaves 20 minutes after every hour
• Park Drive and Main Street *-- leaves 25 minutes after every hour
• Red Star Baptist Church, 1301 N. Main St. *-- leaves 30 minutes after every hour
• Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway *-- leaves 40 minutes after every hour
• Town Plaza, License Bureau, 51 S. Plaza Way *-- leaves 55 minutes after every hour