12th Annual Project Connect brings community together post-pandemic
The Shiawassee Homeless Coalition in partnership with Capital Area Community Services Inc. (CACS) hosted the 12th annual Project Connect. Project Connect is a community outreach event that aims to bring resources and information to people in the area.
CACS Shiawassee Service Center Coordinator Becky Zemla is proud to connect over 40 different nonprofit organizations with the common goal of serving their community.
“Every year the event has grown bigger,” Zemla said. “In 2019 we had 41 different agencies attend, and some of them had four or five different services within their organization.”
One example is the Saginaw Veterans Affairs with representatives from different parts of the VA offering services to Veterans including medical and housing.
At July 12’s Project Connect a total of 249 people from Corunna, Chesaning, Morrice, Perry, Durand, Bancroft, Lennon, Vernon, and Owosso drove through the event – stopping at each table along the path in McCurdy Park to receive free supplies, information, and resources.
“I thought the Homeless Coalition did a terrific job,” Zemla said. “Even though we were outside and it was our first ever drive-thru, those organizations that participated were able to provide information and services directly to people in need. Congratulations to all of them for doing a fantastic job. And thank you to the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Posse who did a terrific job.”
Organizations there provided free hygiene essentials, backpacks, food, vision, and dental screenings, and more.
List of Organizations that attended Project Connect:
- Shiawassee County Health Department
- Shiawassee Veteran Affairs
- Greater Lansing Food Bank
- Peer 360 Recovery Alliance
- Shiawassee Health and Wellness
- Safe Center
- Genesee County Youth Cooperation
- Shiawassee Prevention Coalition
- Disability Network Capital Area
- Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee
- Shiawassee Hunger Network
- SVRC Industries/GST Michigan Works
- Capital Area Community Services
- CACS Head Start
- Shiawassee Department of Health and Human Services
- Great Lake Bay Health Centers
- SATA/Transportation Solutions
- The Salvation Army
- Great Start Readiness Program
- Owosso Memorial Healthcare
- AIM Recovery Pathways
- Shiawassee Pregnancy Resource Center
- MSU Extension
- Lions Club Kids Sight USA
- Redeemer Lutheran/Thrivent
Clinton and Eaton County will also have their own Project Connect. The Eaton County Project Connect date is to be announced. Clinton County Project Connect will be hosted from August 10, 12, 17, and 19, in different locations for people’s convenience.
Clinton County Project Connect Schedule:
|
Bath – Bath Middle School |
Tues, August 10 |
9-11 AM |
|
Elsie – Ovid Elsie High School |
Thurs, August 12 |
9-11 AM |
|
Maple Rapids—Community Ball Field |
Tues, August 17 |
6-8 PM |
|
St. Johns – Beacon of Hope |
Thurs, August 19 |
4-7 PM |
To learn more about Clinton County Project Connect register online now at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2UqrlhhJR8kkyvTGOuaCsxQ7ToGCVrmyhvnakvCwlC9D2yA/viewform
