The 2024 Project Homeless Connect will take place at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex conference rooms with clients and service providers on Tuesday, January 30th, from 9:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m.
This event works to provide services and assistance for the homeless and/or near homeless on the Central Kenai Peninsula.
The 13th Annual Project Homeless Connect provides services including (but not limited to) housing information, personal care services, employment & career guidance and lunch and health care.
According to Public Relations Chair Jodi Stuart, there will be at least 30 vendors present at this year’s event.
“We’re gonna have our stereotypical, haircuts, which is always a huge one, our food pantry, which is kind of like our second huge one, because that includes our lunch and breakfast. Service that we provide, so there will be food throughout the day for folks. [As for] immunizations, we’re gonna be providing COVID and flu shots. We do have some basic clothing, so we’ll have socks, hats, gloves, and some cold weather clothing. It’s limited, but that will be available. We’ll be having mental health services, assistance with housing information, veterans’ services, and employment services,” said Stuart.
Similar Project Homeless Connect events will also be held in Homer and Anchor Point on February 1st.
To ensure that everyone can attend this year, Alaska Cab, and the Central Area Rural Transit System (CARTS) have teamed up to offer free transportation to the event, as well as back home.
“They don’t have to do much to prepare. They just need to show up between the hours of nine and three. The last intake will be done at three. We have transportation available to and from the event. So, if they call that phone number, we’ll get them hooked up with our transportation system. They’ll have a series of questions that they’ll be asked from. Those questions will determine what their top priorities are, and then they will be assisted in getting to their top priorities. And then after that, any additional support that they need, they’ll be pointed in the right direction for that too,” said Stuart.
Any residents in Kenai or Soldotna can contact Alaska Cab by calling 907-262-1555 for pickup and drop off.
For anyone who lives in Nikiski, Sterling, or K-Beach, they can still attend the event too! Just call CARTS at 907-262-8900.
For more information on Project Homeless Connect, Love INC and information on continued services available call: 907-262-5140 or housing services at 907-262-5169.