County connects homeless with available services
Supporters said Madison County’s latest effort to assist homeless individuals was a successful one.
The 10th annual Project Homeless Connect, sponsored by the Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness was held Jan. 30 at the City Temple Church in Granite City.
David Harrison, homeless services program coordinator for Madison County Community Development, said the event was deemed a success.
“We’ve already started planning for next year,” Harrison said.
Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness is comprised of more than 40 agencies and individuals that provide a wide range of services to the homeless and persons experiencing a housing crisis. The event is held annually in an effort to connect families and individuals who are experiencing homeless with social services providers from throughout Madison County.
Harrison said this year there were 147 individuals served — 92 men and 55 women. More than 100 volunteers and service providers were onsite to assist participants.
“There is always an amazing outpouring of generosity from the local community,” he said. “Several restaurants donated and catered food so that everyone who participated received a wonderful hot lunch.”
Representatives were available to provide access to a wide-range of services that include substance abuse and mental health counseling, legal services, veterans services, employment assistance and other social services. In addition, haircuts, eye exams and medical exams were provided onsite the day of the event.
Harrison said feedback from the intake process this year showed that participants were primarily seeking resources for food, housing/shelter and employment. Twenty-seven of the participants reported sleeping outdoors the previous night, while others reported sleeping in a shelter, a hotel/motel or at the home of family or friends.
Harrison said that in 2018 there were 146 persons counted homeless in Madison County; this number included both sheltered and unsheltered families and individuals. Of the total 40 percent were women and children due to a shortage of shelter beds.
“We want to encourage those who are experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis, such as a potential eviction, to contact our homeless hotline at (618) 296-5300 to begin the process of being referred to shelter and finding other assistance,” Madison County Community Development Administrator Trudy Bodenbach said.
