Bringing the basics together is no easy feat.
Just ask Josh Indar, a volunteer with Project Homeless Connect.
He’s one of dozens of people who have spent part of the last six months organizing a five-hour convergence of 65 different entities, with one unifying goal: smoothing the path forward for the homeless.
“Having all of the services in one place where they can be accessed at one time can cut down on basically months of running around,” Indar said.
Life is fundamentally different for those living on the street. Hauling, or risk losing every world possession transforms a long walk into an arduous journey. When meals are provided in one place, mental health counseling across town, drug treatment somewhere else and bathing facilities at a fourth location, it takes a lot of energy and time just to tread water.
“Not having a car or not having transportation places, it can keep people on the streets just because they have to deal with all the bureaucracy,” Indar said.
Wednesday marks the first time in four years since organizers were able to coordinate such an effort.
According to organizers, representatives of the Department of Motor Vehicles will be on hand to process applications for state IDs. Clothing and haircuts will be provided. Housing referrals, legal assistance, job connections, bike repair and mental health counseling will all be available.
Organizers say they’ve made a special push to connect armed forces veterans with help.
Some holes remain. Organizers said they’ve been unable to line up dental care or provide glasses, though prescriptions for eyeglasses will be available.
“This really is what is needed to help people get off the streets and get back to normal lives,” Indar said. “People don’t want to be homeless.”
Project Homeless Connect will be underway at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico from 10 a.m. until 3 this afternoon.