Homeless Connect Begins Thursday

Silence is interesting because it can yield several different results depending on the circumstances.

For a mother on a crowded bus with a screaming child, silence is a welcomed respite. I’m sure the surrounding passengers might agree, as well. For the grieving, silence can be a hollow reminder of a time when life abounded around them. Or have you ever experienced the awkward silence of a situation when an inappropriate comment escapes in front of the person to whom the comment was directed? Silence can only be golden if the noise it displaces is copper.

Right now there is a silence permeating our administration center. Boxes have been unpacked and clothing distributed neatly into various piles. Tables are aligned to increase maximum efficiency so people are afforded privacy as well as competent counseling. Literally hundreds of hours of chaos, scuttlebutt, and manic planning have all culminated to this very moment, for this very reason: to produce the silence; The stillness of the rooms and offices that have been converted into makeshift storage rooms, hair salons, counseling centers, and distribution points.

The lights are out, the center is undisturbed, and the coolness of the site will soon be dispelled by the warm outside air and countless people touring multiple tables and booths. Our doors will open and the hall will resound with th chatter of children and families. Discussions amongst veterans. Information from volunteers. The silence will be broken as Project Homeless connect begins on Thursday at 11am.

Let the loudness begin!

June 13: 11am to 6pm

June 14: 9am to 1 pm

Samaritan House Administration Center

1110 2nd Street West, Kalispell

(The old armory across from Peterson Elementary)

Free Services offered:
Medical and Dental Employment Assistance
Pet Services Financial Education
Identification Services Haircuts
Veterans Services Legal Assistance
Disability Services Vision Services
Housing Counseling Senior Services
Bicycle Repair
Hot Meals Served
More...

I Get By With a Little Help From my Friends

Everyone needs help at some point in their life.

During Project Homeless Connect, we are proud to partner with the Montana Office of Public Assistance in providing a safe and confidential environment for people to inquire about any programs they might qualify for. It can be a draining process and sometimes people forego services because they don’t think the time or energy to sign up is worth the benefit. Other times people are embarrassed and don’t want to feel singled out.

There is no shame in accepting help in certain situations, especially when that decision impacts others who might be dependent on such an act. This is very true when children are part of the equation. There is no nobility or honor in depriving kids of what they need. It takes courage to accept help and we have all been in a position at one time or another that required help.

A very important service offered at PHC will be in regard to helping people see if they qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The process at PHC is confidential and noninvasive and the volunteer’s goals are to provide the appropriate information to help the PHC clients make an informed decision.

Many Thanks!

Today was a good day.

Thanks to the kindness of others, we are one step closer to launching this year's installment of Project Homeless Connect. Several community volunteers as well as young men and women from the Center for Restorative Youth Justice in Kalispell showed up to help sort clothing, prepare food bags for giveaway, and lend a hand in a few other areas. Preparing for such a monstrous event like PHC takes numerous hours and muscles and we appreciate all those who gave up some of their free time on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Also, many thanks to Dominos Pizza, who donated pizza for lunch. It was a real blessing to have some great pizza that was provided by one of our local Kalispell businesses!

We look forward to partnering with all the participants who will attend PHC on Thursday and Friday.

Out of Focus

He squints because everything further than 15 feet is blurry. At school he is always picked last at recess because he can't hit the ball. In the classroom he can't see the board from his seat in the back row. He gets headaches and has difficulty reading for more than a few minutes at a time. Embarrassment is giving way to frustration and anger. How can a child succeed when one of his most important faculties fails him?

Project Homeless Connect offers services aimed at helping people with visual problems. We recognize that while some consider the eyes the gateway to the soul, they are at least the footpath to gainful employment. If a person has difficulties seeing, then their work will suffer and they might be reprimanded for something that is easily correctable. The volunteers at PHC who help in this area offer an invaluable service to many who are in need of an optical adjustment.

See you there!

An Immediate Need!

No attempt at humor or insight today.

Instead, I humbly appeal for an immediate need we have right now. We are in serious need of summer clothing for children. One service we enjoy providing for our upcoming Project Homeless Connect (June 13, 14) is giving away clothes. Currently, we are running very low on clothing for kids so any donation of new or formerly worn clothes would be very much appreciated.

We are focusing on summertime clothes for this event and are encouraged to have responsible readers such as you to respond to this request. So please, rummage through your closets or storage units to see if what items might be available for donation. Or, if you would like to make a financial donation specifically for this, then simply earmark it for Project Homeless Connect and bring it by or mail it to us.

Thanks do much for helping us out with this immediate need.

124 9th Ave West
Kalispell, MT 59901

257-5284 or 257-5801

Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Many times we try to distinguish between a want and a need. The line is blurry and we tend to label these ideas according to value. A need is defined as something necessary for survival while a want is typically thought of as anything that would be enjoyable but perhaps not vital. Examples are helpful.

Need: Food.                         

Want: Steak and Lobster.

Need: Transportation.           

Want: An SUV.

So, what happens when a want becomes a need? When something that appears cosmetic is actually essential? One service that is instrumental to Project Homeless Connect is the dental work that local professionals provide. It can be argued that nice-looking teeth are a want because a person can survive without them. I will argue, however, that proper dental care is a need because the reality is that while it is difficult enough for many of our clients to find a job with a sustainable income, it is nearly impossible when their first impression is flashing a smile that hosts a plethora of dental problems. Employers want to hire people who can present an image of confidence and this characteristic is sometimes lacking when an individual is embarrassed or afraid to open his or her mouth.

At PHC the intent is to provide dental services so the client can walk away with more than a clean, toothy grin. And, while self-esteem is important, the end game is to put people in the best possible position to find work. The aspect of dental service is more than a want if it affords people the opportunity to better themselves and acquire what they need.

The Dog, the Bike, and the Learner

What if your best friend was not a human. Now, relax... I'm not conjecturing about space aliens or that imaginary 'significant other' fabricated so your mother stops pestering you at holiday get togethers. What if your best friend was your pet? Animals can fill various needs in our lives that other people sometimes can't. Some pets are companions while others help us in a more functional role by assisting as service animals we depend on for more than mere company. They are a necessary part of our daily routine.

What happens if your pet needs services but you can't afford them? The helplessness and guilt that accompanies every stroke of the fur or refilling of the food bowl. You care for something  but can't provide for its well-being?

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You need to pay your utility bill. Your rent is due. You need groceries.

All of these factors depend on financial resources. Most people want to work and feel the sense of pride and accomplishment attached to having meaningful employment. An important aspect of having a job is having the ability to get to that job on time. Forget the car; you haven't been able to afford the insurance and gas prices and the cost for a new transmission. It's been parked on the side of the street like a monument to frustration.

You've been relying on your bicycle but it has two stripped gears and needs a rear tire. You will be walking the 3 miles to work until this situation can be remedied.

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It's the box you dread the most. A simple "yes" or "no" that weighs on you and robs you of your dignity as well as economic opportunities. Have you graduated high school?

Close to 9% of Montanans have no high school diploma. For a myriad of reasons, people drop out or choose not to finish and are labeled on every application they fill out. Forget going to college. It's difficult to find sustainable employment with a high school diploma, so the odds of finding a job paying more than minimum wage without one is Herculean. Education is important and attaining a GED can be the beginning of a path that enables someone to create a better life for themselves and those they love.

Project Homeless Connect is honored to provided pet services, bicycle repair, and education services. We believe these are critical in partnering with those who are trying to improve their situations.