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New Project Homeless Connect A One-Day, One-Stop Shop For Homeless

Salt Lake City
Project Homeless Connect is already underway in cities like Denver.

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski is looking for of volunteers to help with the city’s first large-scale homeless outreach project. The one-day event will bring dozens of service providers together in one place to offer everything from haircuts to drug abuse counseling.

Project Homeless Connect is sort of like a fair for people experiencing homelessness. Cities like San Francisco, Denver and Omaha are already holding these events annually.

On Friday October 6th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City Public Library will provide help with computer skills, the Salt Lake City Fire Department will provide wound care and overdose reversal kits and Planned Parenthood will be on hand to provide family planning.  Other services include haircuts and beard trims, bike repair and veterinary services for pets.

Oganizers anticipate around 1,000 people will participate. There are more than 2,000 people who are homeless in Salt Lake City on any given day.

Mayor Biskupski called on residents and businesses to fill the 500 volunteer posts needed to make the event successful. Volunteers can work flexible shifts, beginning as early as 6:30 AM. 

Whittney Evans grew up southern Ohio and has worked in public radio since 2005. She has a communications degree from Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky, where she learned the ropes of reporting, producing and hosting. Whittney moved to Utah in 2009 where she became a reporter, producer and morning host at KCPW. Her reporting ranges from the hyper-local issues affecting Salt Lake City residents, to state-wide issues of national interest. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the guitar and getting to know the breathtaking landscape of the Mountain West.
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