University of Denver News Releases
Friday, May 9, 2008
University of Denver volunteers serve homeless individuals and families at Project Homeless Connect 6
800 volunteers helped more than 680 clients at today’s event
More than 680 homeless adults and 139 children—including 64 family units—were assisted with job opportunities, housing, child care, health care and other vital services today at Project Homeless Connect 6. The one-day event helped people overcome barriers to self-sufficiency by offering a full array of community services in one location.
More than 800 University of Denver students, faculty and staff provided one-on-one support from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for homeless citizens at the Ritchie Center on the DU campus. Homeless individuals accessed on-site services such as personal identification, housing, legal, employment, medical, dental, veteran and child care benefits provided by local businesses, nonprofits, city and health care providers.
In the Project Homeless Connect employment area:
29 individuals created resumes
205 job applications were filed
44 individuals scheduled job interviews
173 individuals submitted resumes to employers
25 individuals lined up potential jobs
“Having all these services in one location is key to helping people overcome very basic hurdles that significantly disrupt their well-being,” said Jamie Van Leeuwen, project manager for Denver’s Road Home. “We’re very pleased at the number of people we were able to help and equally delighted at the terrific volunteer and organizational support we had from the University of Denver.”
At the event, homeless individuals charged with nonviolent, petty crimes participated in a homeless court. The court expedites judgments and resolutions against homeless offenders and helps them avoid additional disruption to their lives, which can extend their homelessness. In this way, court participants are able to maintain employment and progress toward housing and stability.
“Once again, the University of Denver has done an amazing job of hosting Project Homeless Connect,” said Richard Audsley, Mile High United Way interim president. “The students, faculty and staff at DU have embraced this project, creating a better future for people who are homeless and setting a shining example in the community of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
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Contact: Jordan Ames
Telephone: (303) 871-2781
E-mail: jorames@du.edu