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By Erica Andrews
“Homeless Connect Day” links more than 250 homeless individuals to nearly 80 frontline social service providers in a single day. Now in its fifth year, the annual event put on by The Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle Corps Community Center and its community partners, was held Oct. 16.
Individuals who came to Homeless Connect Day received psychological, physical and spiritual care services, including medical, dental and vision screenings, house placement and even haircuts, pet therapy and a meal.
“A lot of times people are not aware of what is available at shelters or in the community and this is a format that will allow them to find that information,” said Jhoanna Espinoza, planning coordinator for Homeless Connect Day. “This event helps them to know where to go when they need the services and helps bring the community together.”
Community members seeking assistance were assessed by volunteer students from Azusa Pacific University (APU), who then helped guide them to the services they needed. Olivia Upwall, a health education graduate student at APU, was one of the students that helped them through the process.
“It’s been a little hectic, I didn’t really know what to expect,” Upwall said. “I’m focusing more on getting to know them and hearing their stories, it really gives you perspective. This makes you feel like it’s worth it to help and give back because we’re all equal and we’re all struggling.”
According to recent Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and City of Pasadena Housing Department findings, more than 55,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles County on any given night—including 906 in Pasadena alone. Doralee Bridges, community service counselor at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, believes that part of the solution is correlated with prevention.
“This event is so helpful because there’s times that young people don’t want to say that there’s anything wrong and they go through life thinking that,” Bridges said. “This is preventative to help them to succeed and to get them help.”
While prevention may be the key, there are still many homeless individuals that are in present dire situations. Joslyn Wyatt suffered from a substance abuse problem and was living on the streets for more than 18 years. Last year this event enabled her to find housing.
“I’ve been in a house for a year and I love it,” Wyatt said. “I come every year anyway to see my friends. I really don’t need the services because I’m inside now, but if it weren’t for The Salvation Army and a few other organizations—I’d probably still be out here. I’ve come a long ways.”
