Organizers of a city program that connects San Diego’s homeless with social services announced Tuesday that they still need a lot more volunteers and service organizations to participate.
The San Diego Housing Commission said about 100 volunteers and 40 service providers have signed up for the ninth Project Homeless Connect, scheduled for Jan. 28 at Golden Hall.
Around 400 volunteers and 75 agencies are needed to carry off the event, at which the area’s homeless receive items like clothing, blankets, jackets and toothbrushes, according to the commission. Participants are also connected with organizations that provide mental health services, drug counseling and other help.
For the first time, they will be able to add their names to a new database that will help them get into housing. The database is shared by numerous social agencies in town in order to better coordinate their services.
The Housing Commission is still accepting donations from the public. Clothing, especially coats and items for men, new socks and blankets are needed the most.
Such items can be dropped off the day before the event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Golden Hall, in the civic center complex at 202 C St.
In the most recent Project Homeless Connect in December 2013, 854 people were assisted, according to the commission. Nearly 12 percent were families with children and 15 percent were veterans.
— City News Service
