Contributed by Laurie Kari

Mat-Su Project Homeless Connect 2018
1/24/2018 – 10AM
United Way, Mat-Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness
Menard Sports Complex
1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla
FREE Event

Project Homeless Connect (PHC or “Connect”) events happen across the nation and in several communities in Alaska. This gathering of service providers for homeless and under-resourced community members coincides with the Annual National Point in Time Homeless Count. The data gathered at PHC Point in Time events helps our country and our communities to measure our successes in fighting homelessness. Our outreach team will be visiting known homeless camps to include as many folks as possible. The count distinguishes demographics of every type, and shows gaps in services for different populations. With this data, our communities can make strong applications for funding to continue solving the Mat-Su affordable housing shortage as well.

The Mat-Su Connect has a history of many years (8?), serving hundreds of homeless folks with direct on-site assistance and referrals each year. Over 50 agencies are present, with booths for information and services such as help with applications, case management, donation items, haircuts, vital statistics, job search aid, housing search aid, legal aid, food banks, clothing, public health, Parish nurses washing feet and many more. A free lunch will be served, and childcare is available on-site. The atmosphere is almost merry!

Homeless shelter providers and housing providers will be able to intervene immediately for folks needing shelter and housing. A favorite service there is homeless prevention services such as rental/utility assistance to avoid eviction, as well as rental assistance for folks moving from the streets into housing placement. Folks without housing who have pets will be directed to Family Promise Mat-Su Pet Shelter Facility. (Pet food donations for the event are still needed at this time, and can be bagged in gallon bags and dropped off at the event at the Family Promise booth.)

For folks who will need transportation to and from the event, there is a dispatch number to call on the day of the event to arrange a free ride. The number is 907-864-9101. Transportation is provided throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

Thank you to the sponsors of our Mat-Su Connect: Alaska Housing, Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, MTA, The United Way of Mat-Su and the City of Wasilla. Our Connect providers and volunteers are looking forward to gathering and offering help wherever needed.

Please help the success of our Connect by driving any folks you are acquainted with to the Menard Center that day. Spread the event by word of mouth. Share our Facebook event page widely. Place the event in your organization bulletins and newsletters. Help distribute flyers, which can be picked up at the United Way in Palmer.

Also important: If someone you encounter needs immediate resources before the event or after, refer them to the phone number 211, between 8am-5pm, which lists every available community resource in the Mat-Su and State of Alaska. This list is also always available online at www.211.com. Thank you Mat-Su for stepping up as you always do, to help our community members in need! We hope to see everyone who needs help on Wednesday, January 24th at our Menard Center in Wasilla!

Providers and volunteers can arrive from 7:30am-9am. The entire clean-up begins at 3pm, and we are usually wrapped up by 4pm.

For information, call PHC Coordinators, Stacie Menier (907-745-5827), Laurie Kari (907-357-6160) or Laurie Phillips (907-631-2197).