As we all know, African Americans and in particular African American men represent a disproportionate percentage of the homeless population both here the twin cites and in the country. Please make a commitment to volunteer and pass this information on to others.
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Project Homeless Connect
is a one-stop shop model for delivering services to people experiencing homelessness.
At Project Homeless Connect on October 1, 2007, 1,780 individuals were assisted by nearly 800 volunteers in accessing services at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This is a 46% increase in the number of guests from the previous event - 801 housing services were provided including triage, housing applications, referrals, and placement on waiting lists, 136 people received a free health assessment followed by onsite healthcare, 60 received dental care, 475 got vouchers for shoes, 142 adults and children enrolled in educational programs in Minneapolis public schools, 211 accessed legal services, 177 used the employment services, 155 got help with veterans' services, Social Security, and community action agencies, 115 were given information or referrals in the children and families area and nearly 300 received haircuts.
1000 volunteers needed for Monday, April 28
My reason for writing today is to ask you to help at the April 28 event. The Convention Center space will be set up with many tables, rooms, and areas for the various services available and volunteers will assist the guests in connecting with the services they need or request. With about 2000 participants expected for this event, we need at least 1000 volunteers to make the day successful.
Volunteer shifts
The April event will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. with two shifts for volunteers:
(1) 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and
(2) 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All volunteers are asked to arrive by 9:00 a.m.
Volunteer training
Cathy ten Broeke, the project director, will orient the volunteers and answer questions. Training is required for everyone except those who trained and volunteered for the October 2007 event. Training in April is strongly recommended for all volunteers, however, to make the volunteer experience better and to offer the best service to the guests. Training sessions are scheduled for:
A. Monday, April 14, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Avenue South, Minneapolis, 55408
B. Friday, April 18, 10:00 -11:30 a.m., St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Avenue South, Minneapolis, 55408
C. Monday April 21, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet, Minneapolis, 55403
D. Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th Street, Minneapolis, 55404
E. Friday, April 25, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., Ridgedale Public Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, 55305
F. Saturday, April 26, 2:00 -3:30 p.m., Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Road, Edina, 55435
Please choose one training session. Driving directions for the library are available on the library web site, www.hennepin.lib.mn.us.
Sign up to volunteer
To volunteer on April 28, please click on the link below. You will be asked to enter your e-mail address. It may say you are already on our mailing list and you will be asked to update your profile. Continue to follow the prompts. We will send you an e-mail asking for volunteer registration information. Please input or update your information, choose a training date and work shift, and send it back. The last date to sign up is April 11, 2008. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Please share our e-mail with anyone interested to help us reach our goal of 1000 volunteers
Click here to register to volunteer!
Or you may go to directly to our web site to sign up to volunteer. www.homelessconnectminneapolis.org/volunteer.htm
For the April 28 Homeless Connect, the only donations being accepted are bus cards or cash contributions. Clothing or any other goods will not be accepted for the April 28 Homeless Connect.
You may also visit our web site to donate securely online through Network for Good to help end homelessness.
We are counting on you. Please be the one to help a person experiencing homelessness remove barriers to having a home. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Patricia McHugh, Volunteer Coordinator
PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT
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email: projectconnectmpls@gmail.com
phone: 612-673-2525
web: http://www.homelessconnectminneapolis.org
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