Homeless Awareness Week Events a Success!

Posted by eevans on December 1, 2009

The Out Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition observed Michigan’s Homeless Awareness Week during the week of November 16-20 with several events.

 

Nearly 150 individuals attended the Coalition’s Project Homeless Connect event on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. The event was held at the ChristNet Daytime Center in Taylor. Homeless and low-income individuals were able to receive a variety of resources and information throughout the event. The most popular services included picking a warm winter coat, bus tickets and hygiene kits. However, individuals were also able to participate in wellness screenings, eat a warm lunch (donated by Senate Coney Island), apply for Social Security benefits through the Project: HOPE program, receive a haircut and information regarding housing options and case management.

 

Project Homeless Connect is an event coordinated by the Coalition in an effort to link homeless individuals and families with resources available to them in the community. As the economy continues to take its toll on Out Wayne County, there is an unprecedented demand for services. Individuals that attended Project Homeless Connect were able to receive and learn about services in their area.

 

On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, the Coalition coordinated an Informational Bus Tour for individuals interested in homelessness to learn more about the various organizations and services available in the Out Wayne County area. The moving tour included stops at the Wayne County Family Center/Lutheran Social Services of Michigan and Wayne Metro’s Keeping an Eye on Youth (KEY) Building in Westland, First Step in Wayne, ChristNet Daytime Center in Taylor and Wayne Metro’s Raupp Supportive Housing Complex in Melvindale. The tour is held every other year and provides information regarding Coalition member agencies and their programs.

 

To conclude the Homeless Awareness Week events, an Observation and Recognition Luncheon was held at the Ford Performing Arts Center in Dearborn on November 18, 2009. Coalition members recognized the achievements of previous and currently homeless clients in overcoming the barriers that led to homelessness. Five clients were recognized with “Spirit of Achievement” awards. Coalition members also honored outstanding partners that have helped them to assist homeless individuals and clients throughout the year with their time, advocacy or donations. Five outstanding partners were recognized with “Partner in Progress” awards during the luncheon.

 

The Out Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition is a collaborative effort of over 30 agencies, organizations and governmental units, dedicated to the mission of eliminating homelessness in the Out Wayne County area. The Coalition identifies and illuminates economic and social issues that contribute to homelessness and substandard housing, and works to improve the capacity of all community partners to help homeless, imminently homeless and marginally housed persons locate, secure and sustain permanent housing.

 

For more information regarding any of these events, please contact Erin Evans at (734) 246-2280 extension 123.