HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford’s Mayor Eddie Perez was on hand in December when St. Patrick-St. Anthony’s Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry here hosted the city’s first Project Homeless Connect, offering an array of services for those needing housing, jobs and medical care.
More than 30 volunteers from agencies that help the homeless showed up for the Dec. 12 event, according to Trudi White, parish director of volunteer ministry.
Project Homeless Connect began in San Francisco as a model for cities to work with volunteer agencies to bring services to those in need.
“The event was amazing,” said White, “I have never seen so many agencies work together,” she said. Among the services provided were those that support housing, employment, medical care, and others. Agency representatives gave haircuts, washed feet, administered HIV tests, and provided other health services, according to White. “It was exciting to see so many people participate,” she said.
More than 20 volunteers from the church helped at the event, too, even those who themselves are in need, according to White. Ten women from the church’s transitional program, which helps women get back on their feet, turned out at the event.
This event was special, said White, “because it went out to the people rather than waiting for people to come to seek the services.”
“It was a great day here at the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry,” added Pastor James Hynes, OFM.
The event was so well received that it was covered in the Hartford Courant. The article can be found on the newspaper’s Web site.