News Releases

Homeless Connect 2008
[October 30, 2008]

1500 people get help at Homeless Connect Edmonton!

On Sunday 5^th October, the capital city’s first “Homeless Connect Edmonton” opened its doors to local homeless people. Over 1500 homeless people attended this special one-day event at the Shaw Conference Centre, which brought together, for the first time, over 40 agencies offering over 50 services providing a one-stop shop for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless, helping them get back on their feet.

Homeless Connect Edmonton offered free services to improve the quality of life for homeless people, “Just imagine what it’s like when you lose your wallet or purse; the panic you feel at losing your cash, credit cards, identity; without these things you’re a nobody. Many homeless people don’t have ID or a permanent address and this means they are not able to access basic services such as health care or open up a bank account. At Homeless Connect Edmonton doors such as these will be opened, ensuring all who attend get access to services many of us take for granted,” says Susan McGee, Executive Director of the Homeward Trust Edmonton and co-chair of this initiative.

“We were amazed by the sheer number of homeless people who came to Homeless Connect Edmonton, wanting to access services. Many individuals wanted ID, hair cuts, foot care and eye-glasses, as well as information on housing and medical care. We’ve also had 300 volunteers helping us out today, half providing direct services, the other half helping guests navigate the services on offer, “ says Ione Challborn, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton Region and co-chair. “We are truly grateful to the volunteers for all their hard work today and for supporting their homeless neighbours”.

Homeward Trust Edmonton and the Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region brought together over 40 public and private agencies to provide over 50 services. “This is an unprecedented partnership; no other event has brought together so many agencies from so many sectors, to provide services for homeless people. Planning for this event began in earnest in the spring and as more more agencies have become involved, the event has picked up momentum and we seeing other agencies wanting to be involved at the next Homeless Connect Edmonton” says organiser Rachelle Venne.

Homeless Connect Edmonton has received generous donations from a number of businesses including Coinamatic who supplied washers and driers, so guests could wash and dry their clothes; reading glasses from Baker Optical; shampoo, soap and body wash from Travelodge and Crowne Plaza; the United Way In-Kind Centre provided back packs with “comfort” items; and the Salvation Army donated men’s clothing including top coats.

“We’ve been blown away by the generosity of our partners: Shaw Conference Centre donated the use of its facilities and catering for the event and Shaw Communications provided free access to national and international telephone calls and access to the internet; the Edmonton libraries helped people set up email addresses and provide 6 month internet passes; and the City of Edmonton is helping people get recreational passes so they have access to recreational facilities and showers. Alberta Health Services are out in force today providing basic health care, immunization, HIV and Hepatitis screening; as well as offering counselling for people with mental illnesses. It’s a great day for Edmonton the fact that we have over 200 volunteers plus an extra 100 people providing services for our homeless neighbours is awesome”, says McGee.

Homeless Connect Edmonton relies on volunteers and on in-kind donations from businesses and agencies. We would like to thank all of our volunteers today for showing their commitment to helping their neighbours and the following agencies for their support to end homelessness:

Alberta Health Services
Alberta Employment and Immigration
AADAC
Bissell CenterBissell Center – Family Program
Boyle McCauley Health Center
Boyle Street Community Services & Streetworks
Canadian Paraplegic Association
Caritas Health Group
Catholic Social Services
Changing Together Center for Immigrant Women
Chrysalis
City of Edmonton, Landlord & Tenant Advisory Board
City of Edmonton, Community Services
City of Edmonton, ETS
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Edmonton Community Legal Center
Edmonton Humane Society
Edmonton Mennonite Center for Newcomers
Edmonton Primary Care Network
Edmonton Public Library
Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton
George Spady
Greater Edmonton Library Association
HIV Network of Edmonton
Hope Mission
Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
Legal Aid Society of Alberta
MC Marvel College
Native Counselling Service of Alberta
Oliver Primary Care Network
Prostitution Awareness & Action Federation of Edmonton
Salvation Army – National Recycling Operations
Student Legal Services
Vibrant Communities Edmonton
Wichitowin, Circle of Shared Responsibility
YMCA Downtown

In kind Donations from:
Baker Optical
Beth Shalom Synagogue, Social Action Committee
Crowne Plaza
ETS
Shaw Communication
The In-Kind Center, United Way
Travelodge

Homeless Connect Edmonton Partners without whom none of this would be possible:

·         Homeward Trust Edmonton
·         Shaw Conference Centre
·         Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
·         Alberta Health Services
·         Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region

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