Mat-Su United Way offers homeless bridge to one-stop services, respite at annual Project Homeless Connect

The Menard Center in Wasilla was transformed Tuesday into a space for homeless and at-risk residents throughout the Mat-Su to access essential services, including gently used-clothing, housing assistance, public health, personal hygiene and comfort items, local resources, and receive a hot meal while engaging in fellowship with their community, as part of the annual Project Homeless Connect.

In partnership with the Mat-Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness and many participating local agencies, United Way of Mat-Su, Project Homeless Connect assists guests with access to basic needs, resources and fellowship.

With the assistance of guidance counselors from local schools, people had the option to register, asking general questions regarding their situations, if they have a place to sleep or stay, with all of the information remaining confidential and used to help the community what the homeless community looks like and what the needs are to be addressed in the future.

While people could access some of the vital necessities such as gently used clothing from turn-A-leaf, personal hygiene items donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, access to substance use disorder recovery centers, SNAP, CCS Early Learning, and the Alaska Jobs Center, there were also opportunities to access other services like a free haircut from Style Starts Here Hair Academy.

Dawn Fabanich says that she has been involved with donating haircuts for the last 7 years, along with Amanda Judkins who has been participating for over a decade, and only started bringing students to help out last year.

“A lot of times, (the haircut) can make a lot of difference in how people feel, they feel good about themselves, trying to get a haircut, trying to get services.” Fabanich says they also provide free haircuts to clients of MY House, as well as participating in several other events throughout the year, providing free haircuts to people of all ages.

She says that getting out in the community and giving back is vital, giving between 20 and 60 free haircuts, including several haircuts to children. “It’s good to meet with the community and

Another opportunity provided during the event was free adjustments from Dr. Tyler Jorgensen, of Jorgensen Family Chiropractic in Palmer.

“It’s an opportunity to serve people that I don’t have a chance to serve very often.”

Dr. Jorgensen, who has been a chiropractor for 12 years and offering free adjustments at Project Homeless Connect for the past several years, said that offering a free service like an adjustment gives people a chance for some relief and even relax for a while.

“They get an adjustment, we get people happy. Your brain has to communicate with your body, and that’s done through the spinal cord and when you put the bones back, it takes the pressure off the nerves. It’s so good.”

To learn more about the services offered at Mat-Su United Way, please visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org