HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 2008 Project Homeless Connect for Lane County (PHC)
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: January 22, 2008
Meeting Type: Work Session
Department: Deve10pmeyt Services
Staff Contact: Kevin Ko ~~
S P R I N G FIE L D Staff Phone No: 726-2302
C I T Y C 0 U N C I L Estimated Time: 10 minutes.
ITEM TITLE: 2008 PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT FOR LANE COUNTY (PHe)
ACTION
REQUESTED:
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
No action requested, information only
The second Project Homeless Connect for Lane County will be taking place on February 7,
2008 at the Lane Events Center. The City of Springfield is an active partner in this event,
providing staff and CDBG support. Mayor Leiken is an Honorary Chairperson to the event,
with Mayor Piercy and Commissioner Stewart.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2008 PHC Fact Sheet
2. December 12,2007 Press Release, Bicycle program
3. January 10,2008 Press Release, Request for Volunteers
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The 2008 Project Homeless Connect for Lane County (PRe) event will be taking place at the
Lane Events Center on Thursday, February 7,2008. The first PHC event for our area was
held a year ago, and exceeded all expectations by providing services for over 1000 homeless
and at-risk persons. With the success oflast year's event, organizers are expecting a larger
turnout this year. A few of the many services that will be provided at the PHC event this year
include food, haircuts, bicycle repair, medical and dental services, homeless services, benefits
and Veterans' Administration services.
Mayor Leiken is an Honorary Chairperson for this year's event, along with Mayor Piercy of
Eugene and County Commissioner Stewart. The City of Springfield is contributing staff and
CDBG financial assistance to this event. Housing Programs Specialist Kevin Ko is the
Logistics Coordinator for PHC, and he is responsible for setting up the facility to
accommodate the numerous agencies, services, guests and volunteers that are expected.
Kevin is also responsible for setting up and managing the bicycle repair and exchange area.
New for this year, reconditioned bicycles will be available for exchange if a guest has a
bicycle that is broken or beyond repair. Local bike shops are participating by collecting
donated bicycles and reconditioning them at their expense. Please see attachment 2 for more
information about this service.
The Springfield Library will be contributing good quality used paperback books and
children's books to the event. These will be available free to homeless and at-risk guests, and
will surely help to brighten the spirits of those who attend this event.
Last year, over 300 community volunteers helped with Project Homeless Connect. We
anticipate the need for 450+ volunteers for the 2008 PHC event. The success of this year's
event will depend on the recruiting enough volunteers to meet the demand. Please refer to
Attachment 3 for information about how to volunteer for the event, and other ways that the'
community can help make the 2008 event a success.
PROJECT
homeless
connect
FOR lANE COUNTY
The Problem:
· 3,745 individuals were
homeless and received
services from our local
continuum of care last
year (Lane County 2006).
· On any given night in
Lane County, nearly
2,300 people are
homeless on the streets
or living in temporary
shelter. (One Night Shelter
CounUStreet Count 2007).
· People who are
homeless struggle daily
with the repercussions
of unmet basic human
needs for safety, food,
stability and shelter.
+- 2007 Highlights
on reverse side
Upda ted': 11/29/07
Project Homeless Connect for Lane County
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Thursday February 7, 2008
Lane County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall
13th & Jefferson, Eugene
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
www.homelessconnect.org
A Solution:
· Connect homeless
people with critical
services in a "one-stop"
venue.
. Bring together a wide
range of community
agencies and
professionals to provide .
homeless people with
access to health care,
social services, warm
food, blankets and
more-all within a
caring and safe
environment.
· Engage the entire
community in a
powerful event that
generates awareness
and provides solutions
that work toward ending
homelessness.
United Way of Lane County
How to Help:
· Sponsor the event.
· Contribute individual
financial or in-kind
donations.
· Be a volunteer.
All professional
services will be
donated, but funds and
in-kind donations are
needed for food, child
care, service supplies,
housing assistance and
basic necessities like
hygiene items.
Contact:
Sophia McDonald, PHC Coordinator
sophia.mcdonald@co.lane.or.us
(541) 682.3770
Richie Weinman, PHC Co-chair
Richie.d. weinman@ci.eugene.or.us
(541) 682-5533
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Pearl Wolfe, PHC Co-chair
Pearl. wolfe@co.lane.or.us
(541) 682-4629
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To volunteer, contact:
Michelle Lowery, PHC Volunteer Coordinator
mlowery@unitedwaylane.org
(541) 741-6000, ext.104
To make a cash donation,
make checks payable to:
United Way of Lane County -Project Homeless Connect
3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477
For more information, go to the new
Project Homeless Connect for Lane County
website at
www.HomelessConnect.or .
PROJECT
, homeless
connect
fOR LANE COUNTY
Project Homeless Connect for Lane County
The outpouring of local community support at the first-ever Project Homeless Connect of Lane County demonstrated
the desire many people have to take action to help the homeless.
In only its first year, 322 community volunteers, from medical doctors and beauticians to counselors and
child care providers, turned out to help meet the basic needs of our homeless neighbors.
As a result, 1,007 homeless citizens received critical services and support during the event and learned
about community resources to help them in the future.
2007 Highlights:
Services Provided to Homeless Citizens:
. 599 received housing information.
. 1?9 received information on Lane County Public
Schools.
. 428 received basic needs assistance.
. 121 received clothing vouchers.
. 422 received services/info for families with
children.
· 110 received vouchers for medical and dental
follow-ups.
"
. 362 had vital signs checked by medical staff.
. 104 were seen by doctors and nurses on-site.
. 240 received hair cuts.
. 104 received employment information.
. 175 received pet care services - vet
consultations, kennels, free spay/neuter
vouchers.
. 100 received bike repairs, 40 received bike
trailers, 80 received helmets.
,. 150 received contacts for health insurance.
. 63 received flu shots.
. 131 received vision and hearing tests.
Find a complete 2007 Project Homeless Connect
Report at: www.HomelessConnect.ora.
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NEWS RELEASE
December 12, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sophia McDonald, PHC Coordinator (541) 682-3770
Kevin Ko, PHC Logistics Coordinator (541) 726-2302
Kellen Norwood, Paul's Bicycle Way of Life (541) 344-4105
Local Bicycle Shops Gear Up to Help the Homeless
Eugene, Ore. - Loca.1 bicycle shops and mechanics are putting some elbow grease into helping
homeless citizens gain pedal power. Bike shops at eight Eugene locations are currently accepting
used bicycles to refurbish and giveaway to homeless citizens at the 2008 Project Homeless Connect
for Lane County (PHCLC) event on February 7 at the Lane Events Center at the Fairgrounds in
Eugene. '
Last year the one-day event assisted 1,007 homeless citizens with critical services and basic needs,
ranging from medical care and counseling to hot meals and haircuts. Nearly 100 service agencies and
more than 300 volunteers provided services to homeless citizens and those at risk of becoming
homeless.
Bike maintenance was among the many high-demand services where guests received bike repairs,
trailers and helmets. With local bike shops and mechanics refurbishing bikes before the event,
organizers believe more people will be served.
"On the day of the event, homeless guests will be able to have their bike repaired or exchange it for a
refurbished bike, speeding up the on-site repair process and ultimately providing more people with
safe, usable bikes," said Kevin Ko, the logistics coordinator for Project Homeless Connect.
Anyone interested in donating a bike for Project Homeless Connect may do so at the following .
locations:
Paul's Bicycle Way of Life
152 W 5th, Eugene
3870 W. 11th, Eugene
234 W. 6th St., Eugene
2480 Alder St., Eugene
Blue Heron Cycles
877 E. 13th (at Kincaid), Eugene
Wheelworks
407 W. 11th, E~gene
Revolution Cycles
296 Blair Blvd., Eugene
Hutch's Bicycle Store
960 Chamelton St., Eugene
For more information, visit www.homelessconnect.org or contact Sophia McDonald, PHC coordinator,
at (541) 682-3770.
._-~--_ tfI!!I
Attachment 2
NEWS RELEASE
January 10, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Megan O'Connor, PHC Volunteer Coordinator, (541) 741-6000, ext. 159
Sophia McDonald, PHC Coordinator (541) 682-3770; (541) 505-6130
Pearl Wolfe, PHC Co-chair (541) 556-4428 or Richie Weinman, PHC Co-chair (541)
912-1767
Volunteers Needed for Project Homeless Connect Event on Feb. 7,2008
Eugene, Ore. - Volunteers are needed to assist with a one-day event that helps local
homeless citizens. Project Homeless Connect for Lane County (PHC) will be held on
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Lane Events Center and
Fairgrounds. The event invites people who are living on the street, in temporary shelters,
or at risk of becoming homeless, to come and seek services and basic necessities, from
free medical exams to haircuts.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including set up, greeting guests, helping
guests navigate through the service areas, assisting professional service providers, and
distributing giveaways, like socks and blankets.
Last year the one-day event provided service to more than 1,000 guests in its first year.
"We're anticipating more guests this year so the need for volunteers will be greater," said
Megan O'Connor, PHC's volunteer coordinator. "No special training is required to
become a volunteer. We just need people who are willing to take the time to help those
in need."
Last year more than 300 volunteers pitched in to help. About 500 volunteers are needed
for this year's event. While it's not mandatory, a volunteer training session will be held
the day prior to the event on Feb. 6, at 5:30 p.m., at the Lane Events Center. In addition
to volunteers, professional service providers representing more than 100 agencies will
be on site to provide services like basic medical and dental checkups, eye exams,
counseling, bike repair, pet care and more. Guests will also receive information on
housing, health insurance, employment, public schools and services for families with
children.
Anyone interested in volunteering for Project Homeless Connect for Lane County may
register at www.homelessconnect.org. For additional information about volunteering as
an individual or group, contact Megan O'Connor atUnited Way of Lane County at (541)
741-6000, ext. 159 or volunteer@unitedwaylane.org.
Project Homeless Connect is part of a nationwide movement to connect homeless
citizens with services and basic needs, while engaging local communities in finding
solutions for homelessness. Major supporters of this year's event include United Way of
Lane County, the Lane County Board of Commissioners, the City of Eugene, the City of
Springfield and Arlie & Company.
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Attachment 3