First Annual Project Homeless Connect Kansas City to Convene Service Providers from Across Greater Kansas City to Combat Homelessness
FIRST ANNUAL PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT KANSAS CITY TO CONVENE SERVICE PROVIDERS
FROM ACROSS GREATER KANSAS CITY TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS
Kansas City, MO – August 12, 2014 – The first annual Project Homeless Connect Kansas City (PHCKC), a free event for homeless individuals and families in the greater Kansas City area, will take place on Friday, October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Gregg/Klice Community Center in Kansas City, MO.
An innovative model proven to combat homelessness and permanently change the lives of homeless individuals, Project Homeless Connect has been brought to the greater Kansas City area for the first time by Rotaract KC. The event will connect the nearly 2,000 homeless Kansas Citians with the care they need to move their lives forward, all on one day and in one place.
Services to be provided at the event include health and medical care, identification procurement, food and nutrition benefits, employment and housing assistance, legal aid, education, veterans’ services and more. Rotaract KC is joined by Founding Partners reStart, Inc., Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City, City Union Mission, Hillcrest Transitional Housing, Hope Faith Ministries and Kansas City Rescue Mission in launching the first annual PHCKC.
“After volunteering for Project Homeless Connect in Omaha, Nebraska, I knew Kansas City would benefit from the same model,” says Sarah Snyder, Chair of the Project Homeless Connect Kansas City Committee and Immediate Past President of Rotaract KC. “Homelessness is a struggle that affects thousands of individuals, families and children in our local community each day. We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the service providers, volunteers, businesses and individuals in offering Kansas City’s first annual Project Homeless Connect.”
The October 10 event will combat the pervasive problem of homelessness in Kansas City, which the January 2014 Point-In-Time Survey revealed affects more than 1,900 individuals in the greater Kansas City area. The survey, conducted by the Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City, also revealed that nearly 300 children under the age of 18 are homeless.
“Project Homeless Connect is a proven model for combating homelessness,” said Evelyn E. Craig, President and CEO of reStart, a PHCKC founding member and Kansas City organization working to end homelessness. “Service providers across the greater Kansas City area are dedicated to making this life-changing day a success for Kansas City homeless individuals and families.”
Project Homeless Connect has been used in more than 260 cities nationally and was adopted as a best practice by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for cities addressing homelessness. Since 2008, Project Homeless Connect has been implemented successfully in cities across Missouri, including St. Louis, Columbia, Branson, Sedalia, Kirksville and Warrensburg. This year, Kennett, Missouri will host its first Project Homeless Connect on the same day as Kansas City, creating state-wide progress toward combating homelessness. At both events, homeless individuals will be able to access a variety of services in one day to help move their lives forward faster.
“Service delivery is paramount in the fight to end homelessness,” said Kimiko Gilmore, Assistant City Manager, Kansas City, MO. “Project Homeless Connect KC will provide a one-stop shop for these men and women to gain access to programs that will assist them in their transition. Addressing long and short term solutions to positively impact the lives of the homeless, Project Homeless Connect KC organizers should be applauded for their efforts. The City of Kansas City, Missouri enthusiastically supports this event.”
Project Homeless Connect Kansas City could not take place without the help of service providers, volunteers, businesses and individuals across the greater Kansas City community. Rotaract KC and the PHCKC Founding Partners welcome contributions of funding, goods, services or volunteers from businesses, organizations or individuals. For more information on how you can help, donate or sign up to volunteer, visit ProjectHomelessConnectKC.com or contact PHCKC@RotaractKC.com.
To sign up to be a service provider, visit www.projecthomelessconnectkc.com/service-providers/.
To make a financial contribution from your organization or foundation, contact sponsorships@rotaractkc.com.
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