Oct. 25, 2008 — Homeless people on St. Croix had the opportunity Friday to connect with local service providers at the Project Homeless Connect. The project, the second this year, aimed to connect the homeless with representatives from agencies and non-profits so they could get information to help them in their lives.
The project, sponsored by the Department of Human Services, was held at the Agricultural Fairgrounds.
Organizations set up tables and booths to provide information, testing, and avenues for helping the homeless. It was billed as a one-stop provider event showing where to go for basic human needs. Representatives from the Department of Labor, Housing Finance Authority, Legal Services, Head Start, Veterans Affairs, Light House Mission, Catholic Charities, Ten Thousand Helpers and more gave out information.
"In spite of the hurricane and challenges, we were still able to provide valuable services and get volunteers," said Brenda Walwyn, special assistant on homelessness for the Department of Human Services and project coordinator. "We have 40 volunteers and escorts helping the clients."
Human Services and volunteers from nonprofit groups picked up homeless people around the island and brought them to the fairgrounds. The clients were given a volunteer escort to help with registration and go with them from station to station getting dental screenings, blood glucose and HIV testing.
Pam Dix, nursing instructor at St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center(CTEC), brought 10 nursing tech students to do blood pressure readings.
"This was a good hands-on experience helping the community," said nursing student Marissa Smith. "We can make a difference."
Giving free flu shots was Lynn Leblanc an RN with the Department of Health. "This may be the only opportunity for some to get flu shots," Leblanc said. "For one reason or another they don't come to the clinic and we catch them here."
Once the clients filled out their exit questionnaire, Edith Moore, from Ten Thousand Helpers, gave out bags filled with toiletries.
Spiritual groups were also on hand offering assistance.
"We are here to give counseling and offering prayers to those in need," said Patricia Lededma, Light House Mission volunteer.
Catholic Charities served lunch to volunteers and clients prepared by the Good to Chew culinary class from CTEC.
Chris Finch, director of Human Services, said nationally the project is catching on with community leaders passing resolutions to encourage Project Homeless Connect.
"The Virgin Islands is in the forefront with the project offering this wonderful opportunity to connect the homeless with services."
According to Monife Stout, public relations administrator for the Department of Human Services, they served 86 people — eight more than they served in June at the first project.
"We're really looking forward to serving more next year," Stout said.
Finch said the goal at Human Services is to end homelessness.
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