Annual Mat-Su Homeless Connect set for Jan. 27, 2016

WASILLA — Families, veterans and other Valley residents facing homelessness once again have a one-stop venue for receiving assistance through a wide array of services this week at the annual Mat-Su Valley Project Homeless Connect.

Scheduled for Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla, the 2016 event — now in its sixth year — will feature some 60 agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on a range of services, from clothing, haircuts, veterans’ services, obtaining an ID, medical screenings, Social Security and Alaska Permanent Fund benefits, foot washing, housing assistance, pastoral care, legal services, substance abuse treatment, employment opportunities and more.

Sponsored by the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Alaska Housing Finance Corp., the Alaska Mental Health Trust and The United Way of Mat-Su, a free lunch will be provided, as will free transportation on the day of the event.

Event organizers also stress that Homeless Connect — part of a national program — is open to anyone looking for assistance.

“Beyond serving the homeless, the event is open to the public and anyone — including seniors — that are looking for help with community resources and assistance organizations,” said Brian Galloway with Access Alaska. “There will be a lunch service open to anyone from the community.”

The 2015 Homeless Connect served 208 people, according to Dave Rose, director of the Mat-Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.

“This year we expect to serve 250,” Rose said, adding that Mat-Su Homeless Connect will coincide with the annual “point-in-time” count by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which surveys the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on a single night in January.

Rose said hot meals were served to 175 people and the event had 2,000 pounds of clothing donated in 2015 from organizations like Turn-a-Leaf and Bishop’s Attic.

“There is such a great collaboration from so many organizations in the community,” Rose said of the event. “I can guarantee folks that their favorite nonprofit will be there.”

Along with booths catering to a particular service, attendees also will be offered one of 250 “takeaway” bags filled with toiletries, snacks and resource information.

“The volunteer help is amazing with this event, especially in filling those bags,” said Beth Westland, the care coordinator at Mat-Su Senior Services and another of the co-chairs of the event. Westland joined Rose, Family Promise Mat-Su executive director Laurie Kari and Staci Manier, the community impact director with the United Way of Mat-Su to lead the 2016 planning.

Rose said volunteer help is welcome, especially during the 7 a.m. setup period or during the takedown time, which should fall around 3:30 p.m.

Westland said the event continues to grow and serve a population in need.

“We won’t turn anyone away,” Westland said, “and I think the credibility (of the event) is rising. One if the biggest things is trust. We want people to know that the community is here for them.”

Rose said a transportation plan was in place for Wednesday that involved Mat-Su Senior Services, MASCOT and other entities like the Sunshine Clinic in Talkeetna and the Chickaloon Tribe.

“We will have Mat-Su Senior Services vans strategically placed around the Valley that will get folks to the MASCOT system,” Rose said. “The service area will go all the way up to Trapper Creek, Sutton and Talkeetna.”

The phone number to call for rides to Wednesday’s event is 354-3865.

Manier said in reflecting on all that goes into the event, the outpouring of support is humbling.

“My experience has been nothing but positive while working with all who are a part of Homeless Connect,” Manier said. “They have been extremely giving and always ready to roll up their sleeves and do what needs to be done.”

She added that the volunteer effort is reflective of the community as a whole.

“I am encouraged by the response of those wanting to volunteer their time or donate items to make this event successful,” Manier said, “simply because they care about their fellow man.”

For more information or to volunteer, call 745-5827.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com