Project Homeless Connect

Today, I got to participate in a really cool event that has taken place throughout many cities across the U.S.  It's called Project Homeless Connect.  Pretty much, the main event center, the Tacoma Dome (who happened to host Lady Gaga the 2nd night I was in Washington) opened its doors to the homeless population of Tacoma.  Inside were tables and booths with pretty much every resource a homeless person would need...for FREE!  I will give a brief run through of the opportunities available (with some highlighted favorites):

Chemical Dependency Counselors
Child Care
Child Support (to make payments or to get set-up)


Dental: this was probably the most popular area with people getting teeth pulled, cleaned, X-rayed and everything else you can expect from the dentist only behind a curtain in an event center or in the "Smile Mobile" which are huge traveling dentistry RV's 

DSHS (food stamps)
Employment Information
Family Housing assistance
Family Services
Flu Shots
Haircuts
Immunizations: Hep A, B, & C as well as HIV/AIDS testing
Legal Information
Licensing (ID's, drivers licenses)
Medical: also popular with everything needed for check-ups and free follow-up appointments
Mental Health
Pet Care: collars, leashes, food, beds, toys, ect.
Podiatry


Shoes: Probably my favorite area because of the story behind these shoes.  A man named Monte from a local church was put in charge of coming up with the shoe donations for this year.  His task: 3,000 pairs of shoes.  With help from local school districts, churches, fire stations, family, and friends...his goal was reached.  There were between 2,000-2,500 pairs of shoes (new and donated) given out to men, women, and children today.  The rest will be donated to street ministries.  


Social Security
Taxes
Tobacco Cessation: "Stop Smoking"
Transportation
Veterans Services
Vision: which offered free glasses lenses (another very popular area)
Voter Registration

In addition, people were allowed to participate in surveys for $15 grocery gift cards and were given food vouchers to a Tacoma institution called Freighthouse Square.  Pretty much it's a a mall food court (with better food) inside of an old train station.

Overall, it was awesome to see the greater Tacoma community to come together to serve about 1,000 homeless people that came through the doors today.  It was also cool to see Nativity House guests excited and utilizing services that have the potential of getting them off the street.

I would say that one of my favorite moments of the day was watching one of the guests get his first haircut in years.  He was nervous, but with a little encouragement, he shaved his head!  The new look took years off his face and gave him the biggest smile I have ever seen him.  His excitement and genuine joy were priceless.