Project Homeless Connect helps those without homes find essential services
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On Thursday, January 29, the Homeless Coalition of Jasper and Newton Counties sponsored “Project Homeless Connect” in Joplin.
The goal of the event, held at Salvation Army, is to connect homeless people with essential services.
Services available include housing connections, employment information, mental health services, medical services, treatment services, legal aid and more.
One booth featured barbers and stylists giving haircuts at no charge.
One of the two dozen agencies on site Thursday was Children's Haven.
Dustin Shipman of the Children's Haven told NewsTalk KZRG that his organization provides home for children and help for families.
But are there really homeless kids in the Joplin area?
"There are a lot in the community, a lot more than people realize," Shipman responds. "When the families are homeless, the kids can come and stay with us. I work with those families along with other people to alleviate whatever the issues are and get them back on their feet."
Children's Haven takes children from birth to age 18.
Another agency on hand was HOUSE, Inc.
Shira Mimms of that organization says her organization on Highway 171 in Webb City handles a variety of duties.
"We work with male, female, civilians, homeless veterans," Mimms states. "We have a veteran home like a V.A. dorm. We have three different programs with them: GPD, Bridge and Contract," she explains.
"We have transitional living until they get moved out and our clients do recover - not just alcohol or drugs but also trauma, abuse and more. We try to address all that. There are all kinds of counselors and people to talk to. It is an amazing program."
Robin Smith of the Economic Security Corporation in Joplin says a total of 24 booths were set up at the Salvation Army.
They included:
• ACCESS Family Care • Missouri University Extension Office • Legal Aid • Behavioral Health Group • Lafayette House Family Self-Help Center • Housing Connect • Prater's Pharmacy • HOUSE, Inc. • Catholic Charities • MMA Group • Jasper County Public Housing Authority • Missouri Job Center • Children's Haven • Department of Veterans Affairs • Joplin Housing Authority • Next Gen Diagnostic Services • The Independent Living Center • Ozark Center • Equus Workforce Solutions • Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri • Joplin Health Department • Joplin Humane Society • Salvation Army • CHANCE and the Economic Security Corporation.
Smith says at this time there are approximately 231 people who are considered homeless in Jasper and Newton Counties.
