It’s a one-day effort, but the effects of Project Homeless Connect Day of Caring are felt through the community all year long.
The program, a joint effort of United Way of St. Thomas-St. John and the V.I. Department of Human Services, will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center.
The program offers the V.I. homeless population a variety of services and information along with volunteer escorts to help them wend their way through the thicket of information available.
This is the fourth year for the program whose numbers have grown each year since its inception, which was led by United Way Executive Director Cherise Creque Quain with more than 140 clients being helped on St. Thomas and about 100 on St. Croix.
Quain stresses the program cannot work without volunteers, the backbone of the effort. To promote volunteerism, Gov. John P. de Jongh, is allowing four hours of administrative leave for government employees to volunteer at the event. Volunteers—who are needed for escorts, guides, greeters and waiters/waitresses—must attend one training session.
Training sessions are at the following dates and locations:
–Thursday, Oct. 7 at United Way, Nisky Center from 5:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.;
–Friday, Oct. 8 at the Department of Human Services Head Start Building in Sugar Estate from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.;
–Tuesday Oct. 12 at DHS Head Start Building in Sugar Estate from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; and –Wednesday Oct. 13 at United Way, Nisky Center from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The event brings together volunteers, service providers and clients for one-stop, one-shop services. Volunteers escort the clients who may take advantage of services, which include blood pressure, blood sugar, HIV and cholesterol testing; breast, cervical and prostate cancer screenings; dental screenings; free flu shots and eye care.
Information on shelters, rental assistance, veterans’ benefits and food stamps is also on hand.
Then there’s luxury available in massages and haircuts by local professionals, showers, as well as a trip to the boutique for a new wardrobe.
This year, Quain said, one goal is to distribute a pair of shoes to each client. The ultimate goal, of course, is to help move the homeless off the street and into a safe, healthy environment.
To volunteer, call United Way at 774-3185.
