PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT OPENS THE DOOR TO SOLUTIONS

ACCOMPLISHMENTS / WHO WE SERVED
Project Homeless Connect, Omaha
Creighton University
Friday, April 11, 2008

Project Homeless Connect, Omaha, brought the gift of hope to more than 300 homeless persons, and created life-changing experiences for hundreds of volunteers.

Held at the Kiewit Center on the Creighton University campus, nearly 500 volunteers were instrumental in affecting a positive and lasting impact on the lives of our less fortunate neighbors in the metro area. Volunteers included professionals and college students who donated their time and talents in the areas of housing, legal, medical, and government agencies/services. Additional volunteers were specially trained adults who served as "navigators," paired with clients to accompany them throughout the event. The volunteers later shared insights regarding their interactions with clients:

Members of our community who received assistance that day expressed a feeling of encouragement and optimism, a renewed focus on health, and a sense of empowerment to transform their present situations.

Background

Project Homeless Connect is a daylong "one-stop shop" event for people experiencing homelessness. Built on a national model, the event brings together services ranging from haircuts and dental care to legal advocacy and housing programs. The following information shares highlights from the event, including the variety of services, important statistics, survey information from volunteers, and recognition of the generous businesses, organizations, and other volunteers who supported this effort.

Results

KEY FINDING: By collaborating with area agencies, Project Homeless Connect can effectively and efficiently deliver the various services that people truly need.

People attending Project Homeless Connect, Omaha = 315 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / WHO WE SERVED

Of those served, this number included:

• 223 Adult Males
• 91 Adult Females
• 1 Child, Male

Of those served:

• 156 are Caucasian
• 109 are African-American
• 3 are Asian
• 11 are American Indian
• 17 are multi-racial
• 19 did not specify
• 47 are military veterans

Of those served:

• Approximately 50 percent are between the ages of 31 and 50
• 26 percent are 18 to 30 years old
• 16.6 percent are ages 51 to 61
• 2 percent are 62 years or older

Services provided to guests/clients

Shelters

• Approximately 60 people were provided with information on shelters

Housing

• 158 people received housing information
  • 13 were able to move into housing immediately
  • 28 obtained counseling regarding house options

Medical/Healthcare/Dental

• 187 people were received services in the medical/dental area
• 158 were directed toward providers for follow-up
• 123 people received an exam from a dental professional
• 81 people received a referral for a glaucoma follow-up

Counseling and Education

• 130 clients visited with professionals regarding counseling and/or education
• 18 people stopped by the Literacy Center for the Midlands table for information about higher education, and access to literacy and English-as-a-second-language services

Legal

• 23 people spoke with Omaha court system representatives, and all 23 were able to get esolution to their legal issues

Employment

• 306 clients visited various employers' tables
• One employer noted they spoke to several clients who would be "a positive addition to our workforce," but the biggest challenge is transportation.

Food Stamps/Social Security/Benefits/IDs

• More than 100 clients visited the Social Security and Disability agency tables; 50 completed applications for Social Security, Disability and/or state ID cards
• 70 people stopped by the Dept. of Health and Human Services booth, and 48 completed applications for food stamps [NOTE: The DHHS indicated that because of this event, they will consider visiting local shelters to offer services.]

Volunteer Comments

The following is feedback shared by "navigators," or volunteers who served as one-on-one guides for each homeless guest, indicating optimism, while providing constructive suggestions for future events.

"I was able to put a face to the homeless problem and understand how and why someone becomes homeless."

"My overall view of ‘homeless' has been drastically changed."

"I was so pleased to see how many volunteers were there that had never been in contact with a homeless person have such a positive, pleasant attitude! There was no judgment ... just loving care! That's a true testament to how much Omaha cares about others."

"It made me re-evaluate my priorities and enjoy the things I already have. Very humbling experience."

"My clients loved the one-stop-shop concept. They appreciated the food, the free gifts, amenities, and upbeat environment."

"It increased my awareness of who the homeless are, and the problems they face day-to-day."

"All of the services that were available for the clients were great. The haircuts especially made the clients feel taken care of."

"I was really impacted by the personal stories my guests told to me, and how thankful they were for this opportunity."

"Being a nurse, I am accustomed to working with people from all walks of life. The volunteers treated everyone with respect. You could see people connecting with one another, heads bent in discussion, laughing with one another. What a wonderful opportunity to remember that each person is worthy of our respect and care."

"I am so grateful for what God has provided for me and my family. How often we take for granted the little things we have in our lives. A warm bed, a roof over our head, and food, when others just barely have a blanket to keep warm and have to look for a safe, warm place to spend the night. It's hard to believe that there are so many homeless people here in Omaha of every age, race, and gender. Maybe somehow we can make a difference, even if it is only a day."

"I wish there were more of these experiences as this was a very powerful day for me. It reminded me of the privileges I enjoy and I how I need to keep stretching and striving to ask myself what's next, can I do more, can I learn more, can I serve more?"

Special thanks to

• Event Chairman: Father John P. Schlegel, S.J., President, Creighton University
• Event Coordinator: Ed Shada, Manager of Business Development at Bellevue University’s Corporate Learning Services Division
• Special Guest: Sally Ganem, First Lady, State of Nebraska, (wife of Governor Dave Heineman)

VIPs, Dignitaries in attendance:

• Mike Fahey, Mayor, Omaha
• Tom Hanafan, Mayor, Council Bluffs
• Jamie Van Leeuwen, Ph.D., Creighton University graduate Project Manager – Denver’s "Road Home," Chairperson – Drug Strategy Commission, Denver Dept. of Human Services
• Karie Poelman, RN, BSN, Community Health Liaison – Loretto Heights School of Nursing, Regis University
• Heather A. Bradley-Geary, MT-BC, MSW, Trust Fund & Community Initiatives Manager, Missouri, Housing Development Commission
• Scott Bradley, CEO, Pinnacle Bank, Board President – Downtown Omaha Improvement District
• Jerry Pape, Executive Director, Catholic Charities

Service Providers:

• Employment
  • Ameristar Casino
  • Greater Omaha Packing
  • Omaha Steaks
  • West Corporation
  • The Council Bluffs Public Library
  • infoUSA
  • The Employment Guide
  • Infuse
  • Workforce Development
• Veterans
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
• Housing
  • Omaha Housing Authority
  • The Salvation Army
  • The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
  • Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc
  • The Oxford House
  • Together, Inc.
  • Y.E.S. (Youth Emergency Services)
  • HOPWA AIDS Housing
• Legal
  • Legal Aid of Iowa
  • Legal Aid of Nebraska
  • Iowa Public Defender’s Office
  • City of Omaha Prosecutor's Office
  • Douglas County Public Defender
  • Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office
• Shelters
  • MOHM’S Place, Council Bluffs, IA
  • Open Door Mission, Omaha
  • Sienna-Francis House, Omaha
  • The Stephen Center, Omaha
• Women’s Services
  • The Stephen Center, Omaha
• Medical Services
  • Creighton University
  • Charles Drew Health Center
  • Douglas Co. Health Center, Disease Prevention
  • Department of Health and Human Services – Homeless Assistance Program
  • Department of Health and Human Services – Homeless Assistance Program
  • Douglas County Dept of General Assistance/Primary Health Care Network
  • One World
• Dental Services
  • Creighton University
  • One World
• Mental Health
  • Community Alliance
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
  • Catholic Charities
  • YWCA
  • Veteran's Administration
• Optical
  • Creighton University
• Haircuts
  • Xenon Academy Omaha
• Other
  • National Coalition for the Homeless
  • Voter Registration
  • RXAssist.org
  • Social Security Admin.
  • Gideons International
  • Literacy Center for the Midlands
  • Department of Motor Vehicles

Service Providers: