Bellingham, Wash – On March 4, 2010, more than 600 people in Whatcom County will receive free, confidential services, including dental care, medical exams, vision screening, women’s health care, information on veteran benefits, housing assistance, and much more. Project Homeless Connect will be held in downtown Bellingham, at the Depot Market Square, The Majestic, Central Lutheran Church, Whatcom County Annex, YWCA and Red Cedar Dharma Hall.

Project Homeless Connect’s goal is to help the approximately 2,500 people who are homeless in Whatcom County. This number comes from the 2008 Point-in-Time Count, which is a count of people who are homeless in Whatcom County. At the 2009 Bellingham/Whatcom Project Homeless Connect more than 475 guests received services, helped by more than 250 volunteers and service providers. The number of locations has been doubled for the 2010 event, and guest attendance is expected to be higher.

Project Homeless Connect is a community effort led by United Way of Whatcom County, Whatcom Volunteer Center, Whatcom Homeless Service Center, SeaMar and Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access. Overall, more than 40 non-profit agencies are involved in the planning and the day of the event. Local government is also involved, including the Bellingham Police Department and the Whatcom County Health Department. Whatcom Transit Authority has donated two free ride days on March 3 and 4 to help guests and volunteers gain access to Project Homeless Connect.

In addition to the many organizations involved, PHC planners anticipate more than 300 volunteers from all sectors of the community to provide intake, food service and other assistance, making Project Homeless Connect one of the largest volunteer-run events created in Whatcom County.

There are more than 200 Project Homeless Connect events worldwide. Many, including the Bellingham/Whatcom Project Homeless Connect, are a part a 10-year-plan to end homelessness.

To get involved, contact Whatcom Volunteer Center

360-734-3055 or rebeccar@whatcomvolunteer.org