Agencies, businesses partner to serve Danbury’s homeless

The Greater Danbury Continuum of Care and the Danbury Housing Partnership will host the eighth annual Project Homeless Connect in the city Dec. 12. at Western Connecticut State University.

Community members, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and corporations will provide services and information at the event, with the goal of lowering barriers, removing obstacles and increasing results for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Last year, services were provided to more than 200 individuals and families at the event. Organizers said they expect this year”™s event to serve the same number of participants, who will receive a hot breakfast and lunch, winter coats and clothing, flu shots, dental care and eye exams. In addition, more than 60 area agencies will have information available for residents on mental health services, housing, family and youth services, employment and more.

The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in WCSU’s Bill Williams Gymnasium on Osborne Street.

The first Project Homeless Connect was held in San Francisco in 2004 to welcome homeless neighbors into the community and change the way resources are accessed. The Danbury community hosted its first event in 2007. It is now joined by more than 300 cities in the U.S. in delivering services that lead to housing and self-sufficiency.