| (03/13/08) - Those in need of a wide range of
services, including health care, housing and meals in Greater Akron are encouraged to
attend an important event next month. The cities of
Akron and Barberton, Summit County and the Akron/Summit County Continuum of Care are
organizing the first Project Homeless Connect (PHC) will be held on Tuesday, April 29,
2008. This event is a community wide effort to bring service providers together in one
location as a means both to highlight the many types of assistance available to those
experiencing homelessness and to deliver real time aid to those in need.
Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is a national best practice
model that originated in San Francisco under Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2004. Sponsored by
mayors and other community leaders, PHC is a one-day; , one-stop event sponsored by Mayors
and other community leaders and designed to provide access to housing, services, and
hospitality for in a convenient one-stop model directly to people experiencing
homelessness. More than 150 events in 120 cities in the last two years is evidence of the
rapid adoption of this innovative project. Cities of every size from coast to coast have
engaged in Project Homeless Connect (PCH) events.
“This community never ceases to amaze me with its
teamwork,” said Sue Pierson, chairperson for the Akron/Summit County Continuum of
Care. “The event is a milestone in the state, and our community is the first to host
PHC following the national model. More importantly, it brings together all the right
agencies in one central location to provide service to those in need.”
PHC will be held at the Salvation Army at 190 South Maple
Street in Akron Tuesday, April 29, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Among the services provided that day: dental care, legal
assistance, mammogram screeningss, HIV/AIDS testing, prostate cancer testing, job
placement services, housing placement applications, clothing, meals, hair cuts, and many
health screening services. Organizers anticipate more than 200 will attend and
receiveindividuals some level of service.
Volunteers are needed. If you are so anyone interested in
volunteering for this event, should contact the United Way of Summit County at: http://www.uwsummit.org/Staff/Volunteers/volunteer_opportunities.htm
or 330.643.5512 for more information.
END
Contact:
Helen Tomic, City Planner, City of Akron 330-375-2770
Sue Pierson, Chairperson, Akron/Summit County Continuum of Care 330-762-5627 |
