Project Homeless Connect, held last week at the YMCA drew 75 Sherburne County residents in need of some assistance.

 

Of those who came looking for help, 58 were adults and 17 were under the age of 18.

 

“Some people are surprised to find we have homeless people in Sherburne County,” said Joy Nadeau of Sherburne County Area United Way. “There are, but what happens is people take them in.”

 

Of the participants at last week’s event, 67% said they were not currently homeless, but 15% said they stayed with family. Only 17% said they stayed in a home they owned, said Kristin Van Heel, resource development and communications administrator for the Sherburne County United Way.

 

Of the 46 households served at the event, only two were repeats from last year, when 22 households were served.

 

Other statistics include 53% of the participants work 31 hours per week or more, 52% are on food support and 78% have health insurance.

 

At the event, people could sign up for health insurance, get a free haircut,  a flu shot or a free cell phone. Winter jackets, toothbrushes and other hygiene supplies were given away and there were people with jobs to offer. Those who attended were also offered a free hot meal from Rockwoods, while Noodles and Company provided lunch for the exhibitors.

 

Sherburne County does not have a homeless shelter but Great River Family Promise is an organization of churches which opens their doors for up to four homeless families at a time and average 13 families per year, who can stay for 60 days. 

 

“We have over 600 volunteers and only two paid employees,” said Jess Hartfiel-Thurston. “In the two and a half years we have been going, we have helped over 100 people and 90 percent of the families find permanent affordable housing by the end of their stay.”

 

Single homeless people are referred to the Salvation Army shelter in St. Cloud and others, who may have a criminal background, also slip through the cracks. Among those at the event was Steve Bjorklund of Tri-Cap. which can help people with transportation needs, among other things. 

 

“I am an energy advisor for Tri-Cap,” Bjorklund said. “I can come to your house and help you find ways to save money or your heating bills and energy use.”

 

There were representatives from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, (NAMI), which works to end the stigma of mental illness. 

 

The Central Minnesota Mutual Health Brain Injury Alliance was also represented. Brain  injury and mental illness are two often overlooked factors which can lead to homelessness as people struggling with these issues are often unable to deal with the realities of a job, paying bills and maintaining a home.

 

Spartan Employment Agency and Central Minnesota Jobs and Training were present, as was a representative from Rise, Inc., which helps people with mental disabilities find housing and employment. in St. Cloud and the metro area.

 

Also present were the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, CAER and Second harvest, who help people with food needs, and ABBA crisis pregnancy counselors.

 

This was the second Project Homeless event and organizers are already planning to have another one next year.

 

For those who missed the event but still need to connect to services, Nadeau recommends calling 211, the United Way resource hotline.

 

“This is a national number, not just a statewide thing,” Nadeau said. “I have called it myself for some clients and they were very helpful.”