Imagine never stressing about a college test or worrying about what shirt to wear to work. Instead imagine wondering where to shower, where to sleep and if there will be any food for dinner.
“My dad has been homeless and I’ve been trying to help him for years,” said Michelle Lavergne, a volunteer for Project Homeless Connect. “That’s why I am here.”
Volunteers of all ages are partnering with Whatcom County Volunteer Center to help reduce homelessness in the County during the third annual Project Homeless Connect event on March 3.
Among the volunteers are Western Juniors Emma Clark and Kari Miller.
“The whole idea of (Project Homeless Connect) is to bring community members together to help fellow community members who happen to be homeless,” said Miller.
Sixty-four non-profit organizations, local government agencies and for-profit businesses will be providing a wide range of services during the one day event, said Daniel Hammill, Volunteer Program Director at Whatcom County Volunteer Center.
Some of the services provided include medical, dental and mental health services, Washington State identification cards, housing information, haircuts, pet care and services for youth.
During the event, guests will be guided to eight service locations and attend a catered lunch at the YWCA, said Hammill.
Every year Whatcom Transportation Authority donates free bus service during March 2 and 3 so people can make it to the event.
Clark and Miller said they have been helping plan Homeless Project Connect since the beginning of winter quarter and will be guides during the event.
“We want guests to feel completely comfortable and not patronized while they are there,” Clark said. “We are all in this together because reducing homelessness is something that will benefit everyone. Community members who are on a stable foundation are able to contribute to the community.”
Clark and Miller have been great to work with, said Hammill. “They are responsive, dedicated and passionate about ending homelessness in Whatcom County,” he said.
He said Whatcom County Volunteer Center wants more Western students, faculty and staff to be guides for the event.
“Being a guide provides the community the opportunity to interact with people who are experiencing homelessness,” he said. “It helps educate people about what it is like to be homeless, breaks down stereotypes and teaches people how to look at each other as neighbors.”
Anyone who wants to volunteer as a guide should e-mail Andrew Connor by Feb. 22, said Hammill. He said they will also need to attend training on Feb. 24.
About 1,300 people in Whatcom County are homeless, said Hammill.
Of that population 39 percent are youth and 46 percent are female, said Andrew Connor Engagement Coordinator for Project Homeless Connect. He said 39 percent of the veterans living in Whatcom County are homeless.
“We must drop our pre-conceived notions about homelessness,” he said. “Anyone could be homeless. These are our neighbors; we are giving them access to services that could play a part in getting them back on track.”
Project Homeless Connect is part of a ten year plan to eradicate homelessness in Whatcom County, said Connor. Some of the actions included in the ten year plan include helping the homeless who are unable or unwilling to obtain the social services available and finding more transitional and permanent housing.
As a result of this 10 year plan, Whatcom County Volunteer Center has housed 400 households in the last 18 months, said Hammill. He said there has been a 26 percent decrease in homelessness and 46 percent decrease in chronic homelessness during that time period.
But there has also been a 40 percent increase in “doubling up,” which is when two households share one living space, he said. “These people are on the verge of homelessness.”
Hammill said economic indicators are one of the greatest causes of homelessness today. “It used to be that mental illness and chemical dependency where the leading causes and now losing a job or not being able to pay rent are in the top reasons for becoming homeless.” He said fleeing domestic violence is also a major cause of homelessness.
Project Homeless Connect first started in San Francisco in 2004 and has now spread to over 200 locations around the Nation, said Connor.
The Whatcom County project started in 2009 when a few people who were interested in the issue gathered to work together, said Hammill.
The first year Project Homeless Connect served 575 people. Last year they served 679. They are expecting to serve more this year, he said. Funding and services for the event come from community donors and the service providers that participate.
“It’s up to community members to decide to do this for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness,” Hammill said.
He said one guest told him they had been waiting nine years for help and finally received what he needed at Project Homeless Connect.
“Through this event guests are able to obtain services that can change their situation and change their life a little bit,” said Miller. “I used to think that homelessness happened to people who didn’t make the right decisions. This experience has taught me there are a lot bigger issues at stake. It isn’t a personal choice; no one ever wants to live on the street.”
To volunteer as a guide on March 3 during Project Homeless Connect contact Andrew Connor at andrewc@whatcomvolunteer.org by Feb. 22. Two shifts are available: 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. A training session will be held Feb. 24.
To get involved with other events, projects and organizations that help the homeless community visit www.whatcomvolunteer.org
