Homeless Connect event looking for participants and volunteers

Published 5:59 pm Friday, January 25, 2019

The sixth annual Homeless Connect will take place on Wednesday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Mack Gaston Community Center.

If someone is homeless or considers themselves “unstably housed” the Homeless Connect event is for them, said Jennifer Shearin, executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corp.

“Homeless Connect started out as a national initiative to help get people services and stable housing,” Shearin said. “We also want to help anyone at risk of becoming homeless.”

Shearin said state funding was eliminated a couple of years ago, but those who work with the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corp., which helps local residents acquire and maintain safe housing, wanted to continue the event.

“We felt a lot of people benefited from Homeless Connect,” said Shearin.

Services offered at the event include housing information, heath screenings, employment opportunities, veterans assistance, renter’s rights information and education on family issues.

The Dalton Housing Authority, Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library, DEO Clinic, Georgia Hope, Habitat for Humanity, Highland Rivers, the Floor Covering Industry Foundation and Women’s Enrichment Center are some of the organizations scheduled to offer services.

The event is free, and lunch and toiletries will be provided. Shearin said about 100 people attended in recent years.

She said she’s seeking volunteers to help in various areas including hair stylists and barbers. Anyone interested should call Victoria Hamilton at (706) 529-8270, ext. 1601.

Shearin said she’s looking forward to a “great turnout” this year.

“You don’t need to bring anything, just show up,” she said.