Volunteers, Donations Needed to Help Homeless

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 3, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Volunteers and donations are needed for the upcoming Project Homeless Connect, which helps thousands of people who are homeless and at-risk or becoming homeless connect with agencies and organizations that offer housing, job training, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and other services.

More than 350 volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks, including checking-in and escorting attendees around Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the Cashman Center at 850 N. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas. Volunteers will be asked to arrive by 7 a.m. and stay until 4 p.m. but may spend a half-day at the event. For more information about volunteering at Project Homeless Connect call (702) 892-2300 or visit www.volunteercentersn.org.

People may also help by making a donation for the event. Items such as bus passes, cases of bottled water, new/gently used coats and non-perishable food items are still needed. Monetary donations are also appreciated. For more information about donating to the event, call the Nevada Homeless Alliance at (702) 743-1487.

Project Homeless Connect is free to attend for those people who are homeless or at risk for becoming homeless. Attendees will be able to check-in from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 17. During last year’s event, about 400 volunteers helped about 3,000 homeless/at-risk people receive help with food, clothing, grooming, housing, transportation, job readiness, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, child care, veterans assistance and legal services. A comprehensive census conducted in January revealed more than 7,500 homeless people staying in shelters or on the streets.

Residents, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to participate in Project Homeless Connect rather than attempting to feed or help the homeless directly on the street. While these gestures are well intentioned, they often prevent homeless people from finding the many existing services that could help them end their cycle of homelessness.

Project Homeless Connect is coordinated by the Nevada Homeless Alliance in partnership with the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care Board and the Clark County Department of Social Service. The Southern Nevada Homelessness board works with local governments and other agencies, faith houses, advocacy groups and others concerned with the issues of homelessness and affordable housing through a coordinated and regional approach to planning and service provision. The Nevada Homeless Alliance works with local agencies, volunteer groups, faith-based organizations and the corporate sector to create effective partnerships and promote collaboration through advocacy, events and education.

The event is also supported by the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City, and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Wells Fargo Charitable Foundation, MGM Resorts International, Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, Lucky Little Chapel, St. Jude’s Women’s Auxiliary, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, The United Way of Southern Nevada, ThreeSquare, and others. Event participants are expected to include the Clark County Social Service Department, the City of Las Vegas courts, emergency shelter and housing providers, Nevada Health Centers, employment training agencies, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, street outreach service providers, state welfare and mental health agencies, the Veterans Administration, faith-based groups, and various social service providers.

Contact: Dan Kulin
Phone: (702) 455-5534
Email:

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