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Annual Homeless Event Expects
Increased Community Need
Monday, August 22, 2011, Chapel Hill, NC: The 5th annual Project Connect will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill in Orange County. Project Connect is a one-day, one-stop center to provide people
 experiencing-or at risk of experiencing-homelessness with a broad range of services including housing, employment, health and dental care, mental health care, veterans' and social service benefits, legal services, and more. Community members are encouraged to visit www.phc-orange.org to find complete information on the services that will be provided, the volunteer needs for the event, and how to donate to the event.
Formerly called Project Homeless Connect, event coordinators changed the name this year to reach out to more community members in need of services in an effort to prevent homelessness. Event organizers expect an increase in guests this year as a reflection of the increase in need that service providers have seen in our community. Expected are 250 guests with over 50 social service agencies and 300 volunteers participating.
Since 2007 the event has served over 700 people in Orange County. The event is a key strategy of Orange County's Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
In 2011, Project Connect is raising funds to cover event costs as well as launch a very unique and meaningful new program to help homeless individuals in our community connect with employers. Funds will go towards JOB PARTNERS through the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness, to help with assessment tests, background checks, and career portfolios.
"Project Connect makes a powerful impact on homeless people's lives by providing a wide range of assistance in one location and by a tremendous outpouring of respect and hospitality," said Jamie Rohe, Orange County Homeless Program Coordinator. "It enables service agencies to efficiently reach many people in a single day and it educates the community about the issues of homelessness."
For more information please visit www.phc-orange.org or directly contact Jamie Rohe, Orange County Homeless Program Coordinator, at 919-245-2496 or jrohe@co.orange.nc.us.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
DATE: Thursday, October 13, 2011
TIME: 9AM to 3:30PM
LOCATION: Hargraves Community Center, Chapel Hill, NC (216 N. Roberson Street)
Media representatives are welcome to join us at this event. Event coordinators, volunteers, guests, and service providers will all be available to give interviews as well as be photographed or videotaped.
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