United Way and Partners Bring Project Connect to Gilbert
Innovative one-day outreach Tackles Homelessness
What: Valley of the Sun United Way partners with the Gilbert community and more than 30 human service providers to host Project Connect at Sun Valley Community Church as part of an effort to prevent and end homelessness in Maricopa County.
Held once a month in cities throughout the Valley, Project Connect is a one-day outreach event that brings together nearly 30 human service providers in one central location. Attendees will work one-on-one with volunteers who will help them access driver’s licenses, employment services, wellness checks, shelter, food, clothing among other vital human services. This helps individuals on their journey to stability and independence, and impacts our community and economy.
The media is invited to join us and interview issue experts and Project Connect guests.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 19 – Best times for media interviews 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Sun Valley Community Church, 456 E. Ray Road, Gilbert
About: Thousands of individuals experience homelessness in Maricopa County on any given day, many for the first time after experiencing a job loss, medical cost or foreclosure. Many people who experience or are at risk of homelessness are veterans or families with children. Homelessness impacts our entire Valley.
Project Connect is a big part of a regional solution to end homelessness. It is a national best practice which changes individual lives and the community as a whole.
Quotes:
“Our commitment is to ending homelessness in Maricopa County, and Project Connect is a powerful way to provide the opportunity for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness to quickly get on the road to financially stability and independence,” said Merl Waschler, President and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way. “We can make our region stronger with each event, as we move closer to our goal of ending homelessness.”
“We are proud in Gilbert of our character, and we know that no community – even one named a Best Place to Live in the nation - is immune to the societal threat of homelessness,” said Gilbert Mayor John Lewis. “Joining this effort empowers us to improve the lives of our neighbors and strengthen our region.”
About Valley of the Sun United Way
Valley of the Sun United Way works to ensure children and youth succeed, end hunger and homelessness and increase the financial stability of individuals and families in Maricopa County. Through programs such as Project Connect and the development of Permanent Supportive Housing partnerships, United Way is committed to end chronic homelessness in our community. For more information, visit www.vsuw.org.
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