PORT ANGELES — Clallam County people who are worried about losing their housing or those who are already in housing assistance can find out about all the resources in the county at an exposition Thursday, Jan. 28.
The first-ever Clallam County Project Homeless Connect will be held at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., in Port Angeles from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Housing help
“Some people who walk in homeless should have housing by the end of the day,” said event co-chair Cindy Burdine, Serenity House of Clallam County deputy director for Family Services.
In addition to distributing information, Clallam County Housing Authority, Serenity House’s Housing Resource Centers and Olympic Community Action Programs will also be making housing placements at the event.
Clallam County WorkSource will also be available at the event to help connect people to jobs.
“Homelessness is often connected to joblessness, so WorkSource will be there to help connect people to jobs,” Burdine said.
The event will be free — including the information on health care, legal counsel and other services that are factors to homelessness.
“Also, this will be an opportunity for individuals to enhance their employability and well-being by getting a haircut, nice clothing and legal identification.”
State IDs
The state Department of Licensing will process driver’s license and identification card applications on site, and vouchers are available to pay the fees.
Haircuts will be provided by Shara Smith and Susan Witheron of The Hair School, Sheri Fryer, and a stylist from the Lower Elwha Tribe, which will also have staff on hand to provide information on tribal health and financial services.
Warm and work clothing, toiletries and other useful items, organized by Barbara Townsend and other St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteers, will be given at no charge. St. Vincent’s will also provide stamps and stationery.
Drs. Penny Burdick and Ed Hopfner, registered nurse Phyllis Hopfner, medical assistant Amy DeQuay and Clallam County Public Health and Family Planning nurses will conduct medical screenings.
Other services offered will include:
• Free immunizations against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis and seasonal and H1N1 influenzas by Clallam County Health Department.
• Eye exams by Dr. Scott Braun.
• Nondiabetic foot care by Olympic Medical Center nurse Bobbie Baldwin.
• Chair massages and acupuncture by Brianna Noach and a colleague.
• Dental assessments and X-rays by the Olympic Community Action Programs’ Oral Health Center.
• Mental health assessments by Peninsula Community Mental Health.
• Social Security, state Department of Social and Health Services, Peninsula College, U.S. Census Bureau, county Veterans Assistance, Senior Information and Assistance, Literacy Council, Healthy Families and Serenity House Youth Services will also staff assistance booths.
Hot meals and a salad bar will be provided by Nash’s Organics and Port Angeles Food Bank.
Pet owners who are homeless may visit the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society trailer for pet vaccinations, mini-veterinary exams, food and equipment.
Volunteers
“Volunteers have really stepped up to help,” Burdine said. “Now we need everyone’s help to get the word out to people who are homeless, have been homeless or are worried about becoming homeless to come connect with real help.”
Child care and children’s activities, provided by Serenity House children’s caseworker Alicia Schofield and Lutheran Community Services, will allow parents to concentrate on getting the most from available services.
Clallam Transit will provide free busing to the event.
For more information, phone 360-565-2608 or 360-452-7224 or visit the Clallam County Project Homeless Connect page on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/yb3av2k.
