The Department of Human Services and the Inter Agency Council
on Homelessness will host their fifth Project Homeless Connect event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, at the Rudolph Schultebrandt Complex Market Building, St. Croix.
In its fifth effort, government and non-profit organizations will once again
provide direct and soft services in one area to the advantage of the
chronic homeless and persons who are at risk of homelessness. Service
providers will offer medical examinations, counseling, HIV testing,
assistance with SNAP application (formerly food stamp), and referrals as
well as haircuts, massages, food, clothing and shoes. Intake information
from each client will be entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The HMIS is a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandated initiative managed by the Methodist Training and Outreach Center on St. Thomas. HMIS gathers data utilized for reports and statistics which provide communities with valuable information that assists in obtaining federal dollars, finding solutions to issues, and serving a targeted population. Non-profit agencies that facilitate soup kitchens and shelters will not offer breakfast and lunch for the day so clients can be directed to the activity with transportation provided by Human Services and the agencies.
Volunteer training will continue today at 6 p.m. at the Herbert Grigg Home for the aged.
In 2011, 134 clients were served, an increase of 56 clients who were
served in the inaugural activity in 2008. On St. Thomas, 229 homeless or potentially homeless were served at their sixth annual event on Friday, Oct. 12, at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center.