Community Corner

Project Homeless Connect Takes Place Monday

The event Center is expected to draw more than 1,500 people who are homeless or near homeless.

 

(The following news release comes from Hennepin County.)

 

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The 13th Project Homeless Connect-Minneapolis on May 14 at the Minneapolis Convention Center is expected to draw more than 1,500 people who are homeless or near homeless. An estimated 1,200 volunteers and 400 service providers from 125 agencies will be on hand to help.  Services will be provided from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The biannual event is a one-stop shop for people experiencing homelessness – connecting them to resources and services that can help end their cycle of homelessness.

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Launched in 2005, Project Homeless Connect-Minneapolis is one of 28 such events around the state. The first event attracted 500 people seeking help. The last event in December drew thousands.

“Project Homeless Connect is a nationally recognized best practice in ending the cycle of homelessness,” said Cathy ten Broeke, director of the City of Minneapolis-Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness – a cross-departmental team coordinating a 10-year community plan to end homelessness in Hennepin County and Minneapolis by 2016. “Many guests who come for services leave the event feeling more hopeful that they can escape homelessness and they know that this community actually cares. They also often leave with things that actually help them escape homelessness – a line on a job, registration for a training program, long-sought-after benefits, and even occasionally keys to an apartment. This is a truly remarkable community, from the volunteers to the providers to the businesses who sponsor this work. They are all making a difference.”


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