About 900 individuals and families needing human services attended Snohomish County’s second annual Project Homeless Connect at Cascade High School on Tuesday.
 
This year’s numbers are nearly double last year’s 500 individuals and families who were experiencing homelessness and came to receive services at the daylong event.
 
“We know that families and individuals are hurting during this severe economic recession,” Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said. “Events such as these and the resource fairs we held in February are designed to help those with critical needs find resources such as jobs and housing.”
 
Individuals attending Tuesday’s Project Homeless Connect event cited the economic downturn, high unemployment rates and distressed housing market as the top reasons for their homelessness or difficult circumstances.
 
Snohomish County’s Human Resources Department collaborated with numerous nonprofits, the Homeless Policy Task Force and community members to provide services including a hot meal, medical and dental services, pet-care services, haircuts, housing resources and hearing/vision care.
 
Driven by volunteers and donations, this year’s event went on despite difficulties in raising enough funds and donations.
 
“Donations this year were down significantly from last year,” said Stephani Perin-Earling, volunteer coordinator for the event. “But businesses and nonprofits also have been impacted by this recession.”
 
Donations are still being collected to offset expenses and to begin planning for next year’s event. To make a monetary donation, please make your check payable to: The Everett Gospel Mission c/o Project Homeless Connect, PO Box 423, Everett, WA 98206-0423.
 
For more information about the event, contact Stephani Perin-Earling at Stephani@arcsno.org or Dean Weitenhagen at dean.weitenhagen@snoco.org.