More than 600 homeless people were assisted with a full array of community services during Project Homeless Connect 7 at the University of Denver on Friday, April 24.
The one-day event, which was held at DU’s Ritchie Center, provides homeless people with basic medical care, food stamp benefits, veteran’s services, resumé assistance, legal advice, haircuts, massages and clothing.
PHC 7 was a partnership between DU, Denver’s Road Home and the Mile High United Way. More than 800 DU students, faculty and staff volunteered to provide one-on-one support for homeless citizens. More than 60 community organizations were represented.
At the event, homeless individuals charged with nonviolent, petty crimes participated in a homeless court. The court expedites judgments and resolutions against homeless offenders and helps them avoid added disruption, which can extend their homelessness. In this way, court participants are able to maintain employment and move toward housing and stability.
Project Homeless Connect is just one facet of the City of Denver’s 10-year-plan to end homelessness. Denver’s Road Home began in October 2003 in response to an increasing rise in homelessness in Denver and an increase in public safety concerns.
According to Denver’s Road Home, Denver is home to more 3,900 homeless men, women and children, and the city spends more than $70 million annually on shelter, healthcare and other stop-gap services. Many of the city’s homeless are families with children and may not be aware of the network of local services.
Denver has held six previous Project Homeless Connect events since the program’s inception. PHC 7 was the third time DU has hosted the event.
“Mile High United Way is proud to be a partner with Denver’s Road Home and DU in this inspirational and hope-filled event,” says Robert Thompson, Mile High United Way spokesman. “We hope to continue this community partnership for years to come.”