Project Homeless Connect helps with resources

So often and in so many places, the homeless are forgotten or ignored, even reviled. Often, the fact of homelessness becomes so much a part of the local scenery, it no longer registers on people's radar screens.

One local event held annually in Cape Girardeau is meant to lift up those who have fallen on hard times.

Local social service agencies prepare all year for the annual Project Homeless Connect event at the Osage Centre, collaborating on many levels to make sure every imaginable resource is available for anyone who might be homeless or in danger of homelessness. They even provide free transportation, meals and childcare that day in an effort to help make sure people have every chance to attend on the first Friday in October.

These agencies do all of this because they know how limiting homelessness can be.

They realize that without a physical address, finding a job is next to impossible. They know that without a place to live or a steady income, paying for essentials such as food and utilities, let alone appropriate business attire, is just as prohibitive.

Of course, homelessness happens for many reasons, but, regardless of the causes, the local agencies that participate in Project Homeless Connect are there to help people work toward a brighter future.

Jessica Hill, executive director at Safe House for Women, the coordinating agency this year, said Project Homeless Connect is special because nothing else puts that many resources under one roof.

"It's everything from haircuts to clothing, shower facilities, hygiene items, groceries, as well as medical screenings, vision screenings, dental care," Hill said in a recent story. "Then, on top of that, we have providers who connect us with housing resources, employment resources and all kinds of documentation, [such as] birth certificates and driver's licenses."

Safe House and the other agencies involved are to be applauded for their continuing effort.

As Hill said, "It's amazing, the response from our local agencies and service providers. Their willingness to give their whole day to this event is tremendous. It says a lot about the Cape Girardeau community."