PHOTO BY MEEGAN M. REID, MEEGAN M. REID // BUY THIS PHOTO
Ashley Tetreault, left, and Sharon Hellickson put together hygiene kits for the upcoming Project Connect at Peninsula Service Gift Garden in Bremerton on Wednesday. The hygiene kits will be given to the homeless and others who are struggling at the annual event, which is at the Sheridan Park Community Center on Jan. 26. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)
PHOTO BY MEEGAN M. REID, MEEGAN M. REID
Ashley Tetreault, left, and Sharon Hellickson put together hygiene kits for the upcoming Project Connect at Peninsula Service Gift Garden in Bremerton on Wednesday. The hygiene kits will be given to the homeless and others who are struggling at the annual event, which is at the Sheridan Park Community Center on Jan. 26. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)
PHOTO BY MEEGAN M. REID, MEEGAN M. REID
Ashley Tetreault, left, and Sharon Hellickson put together hygiene kits for the upcoming Project Connect at Peninsula Service Gift Garden in Bremerton on Wednesday. The hygiene kits will be given to the homeless and others who are struggling at the annual event, which is at the Sheridan Park Community Center on Jan. 26. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)
PHOTO BY MEEGAN M. REID, MEEGAN M. REID
Hygiene Kits assembled for the upcoming Project Connect. The kits were assembled by adults with disabilities at the Peninsula Service Gift Garden in Bremerton on Wednesday. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)
BREMERTON —
Some 500 people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless are expected to seek help at what’s become a fast-growing event.
Project Connect takes place Jan. 26, but not at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds as it has in the past two years. Instead, it will be at the easier-to-get-to Sheridan Park Community Center on Lebo Boulevard.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the list of the different types of available help is much longer than before.
Coordinated by community volunteer Beverly Kincaid and the Kitsap Continuum of Care Coalition, the event for the first time will offer vouchers for free prescriptions and expanded opportunity to get free medical care. Veterinary care will also be available for their pets.
For the first time, no-cost teeth cleaning will be offered, along with vouchers for gas and laundry service, and even chair massages. Also for the first time, 300 bags of hygiene items will be free for the taking.
Those bags were patiently put together by Peninsula Services clients at the organization’s Gift Garden in downtown Bremerton.
Church vans from all over the county will bring people to the event.
Kincaid said she researched similar events across country to find what worked before taking on the organizational responsibilities this year for Project Connect.
“They’re doing these events all over the country,” she said, adding she believes she’s taking what has worked for others and adopting for use here.
As in past years, strapped and struggling Kitsap residents can hook up with experts who can help them find housing, help with rent assistance or assistance with managing the energy bills. There are referrals for veterans, help with child care, as well as help for mental health and substance abuse. The list is endless.
This year, about 60 volunteers are pitching in with the work, as well as representatives from the many social-service and faith-based groups under the Continuum of Care umbrella. And in one other first, corporate sponsors are now helping to support the event. Kincaid has raised $13,000 to purchase the various vouchers to help the least fortunate during the winter months.
Here’s more of what’s offered:
—Diapers, baby supplies, pediatric screening for developmental disabilities, immunizations and help with teen parenting;
—Help for people with legal problems, as well as help for victims of domestic violence and other crimes. Add to that clothing, including coats and hats, eyeglasses, HIV/AIDS testing, immigration help, foster-care information, phone cards, advice for starting a business, shower vouchers, foot care and detoxification help;
—A number of specialized services for seniors.
The event is held in conjunction with the Continuum of Care’s annual count of homeless people for grant purposes. Attendees will be asked to complete a brief survey. They will not be required to give their names, according to Kincaid.
The Washington Department of Social and Health Services and the Kitsap County Health District estimated that this time last year, 1,854 people in Kitsap had no roofs over their head.
A free hot lunch will be given to everyone. The community center is at 680 Lebo Blvd., across Clare Avenue from the Sheridan Park Shopping Center.
Project Connect
What: An event to match the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless with services.
Date: Jan. 26
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To help: Contact coordinator Bev Kincaid at soundgrants@wavecable.com
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