United Way and partners connect homeless to vital services

Carmen Ronan, Public Relations Coordinator
Valley of the Sun United Way
602-631-4871

Jeanne Bosarge, Community Resources Assistant
City of Chandler
480-782-4358

Jim Phipps, Public Information Officer
City of Chandler
480-782-2225

United Way and partners connect homeless to vital services

CHANDLER, AZ -- Valley of the

Sun United Way

brings Project Connect to Chandler on Thursday, July 21 to provide people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness immediate access to services in one central location.

The outreach event takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chandler Christian Church, 1825 S. Alma School Road, where more than 30 service providers will offer instant access to driver’s licenses, employment services, wellness checks, showers, haircuts, clothing, meals, counseling, substance abuse services, foreclosure prevention information, connections to housing and many other health and human services.

“This is an opportunity for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their current housing or shelter to receive help,” said Trinity Donovan, Chandler Vice Mayor and Executive Director of the Chandler Christian Community Center. “We’re finding a number of first-time homeless families and individuals who don’t know where to turn and could really benefit from the resources

United Way

is bringing together at this event.”

This marks the second Project Connect event to be held in Chandler; in 2009 more than 200 volunteers helped over 150 individuals. Shuttles stopped at various locations throughout the City to provide transportation to the event. The same will occur this year with shuttles stopping hourly at 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m. at the following locations:

-- Chandler Christian Community Center,

345 S. California Street

-- The Salvation Army,

85 E. Saragosa Street

-- Chandler Downtown Library,

22 S. Delaware Street

-- Chandler CAP Office,

650 N. Arizona Avenue

-- Staples parking lot, southwest corner of

Alma School Road

and

Chandler Boulevard

-- Folley Memorial Park,

601 E. Frye Road

Project Connect is part of Valley of the

Sun United Way

’s broader community work to end homelessness in Maricopa County. Through Project Connect, Valley of the

Sun United Way

aims to provide struggling individuals and families with the information and resources they need to prevent homelessness and break down one of the most difficult challenges facing homeless individuals – access to services. For more information, visit www.vsuw.org.