Project Homeless Connect draws 1,200 volunteers

From the Mayor's Office of Communications

February 17, 2006

Mayor Gavin Newsom and over 1,200 committed volunteers convened again yesterday at the Bill Graham Auditorium to take part in Project Homeless Connect (PHC) IX. Newsom's widely successful outreach program and national best practice continues to gain momentum as the country's model for addressing urban chronic homelessness.

PHC was observed nationwide last December 8th with 31 cities across the nation participating. In a single day, more than 6,000 homeless individuals across the country were linked to essential services they need toward becoming self-sufficient.

"It's the dedication and compassion of San Franciscans and volunteers throughout the Bay Area and across the country's that continue to drive the success of this remarkable outreach effort," said Mayor Newsom.

In addition, through our public-private partnerships we continue to play an invaluable role in enhancing the quality of life for many of the city's homeless residents. Through our PHC efforts we help turn lives around," continued the Mayor.

Greater public-private involvement continues to play an important role in linking clients to essential services they need toward self-sufficiency.

Salesforce.Com has created a web-based data management system built especially for PHC clients that will serve as a comprehensive data bank that will assist city agencies to help identify and provide the necessary support services clients may require.

The McKesson Corporation in its commitment to empowering healthcare for all people has pledge 1000 medical supplies to aid in the homeless outreach effort.

The Department of Motor Vehicles were also on hand to issue more than 300 State of California personal I.D. Cards funded by PHC organizers.

Over one hundred-twenty-five corporations provided services during Project Homeless Connect including Lenscrafters, Nextel, Luxor Cab, FED-EX, Safeway Stores, Webcor Builders, SBC, Starbucks, Kinko's, AAA, Luxor Cab Company and Walgreens to name a few.

Due to their extraordinary commitment and service to Project Homeless Connect, Mayor Newsom honored Lenscrafters with a special proclamation making it "Give the Gift of Sight Day" in San Francisco. Lencrafters in
partnership with San Francisco General has been instrumental in proving homeless clients with much needed vision care and offering same-day prescription services.

More than 1, 542 clients received services in San Francisco during the December 8th nation-wide observance. This was the highest single day total to date of clients being linked to essential city services. More than 15,000
volunteers have participated in PHC to date.

Project Homeless Connect X will take place on April 13, 2006.
For more information and how you may volunteer, please visit www.projecthomelessconnect.com.

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