SCSU Students Shine in Community Outreach with Project Homeless Connect

(KNSI) — St. Cloud State University students helped those around the community experiencing homelessness during Project Homeless Connect at the River’s Edge Convention Center on October 24th.

Students in the Social Work and Gerontology fields helped with intake and registration at the event while also handing out bags stuffed with supplies like gift cards, toys for kids, shampoo, deodorant, combs, soaps and other toiletries. Attendees also received assistance and information on housing, clothing, social services, and medical checkups. Earlier this month, students raised more than $11,000 via a silent auction, a GoFundMe page and community members buying Project Connect shirts. Those proceeds were used to buy items for the basic needs supplies, which were also handed out during the event.

Project Homeless Connect is an annual event where over 65 area service providers and businesses come
together to help people experiencing homelessness or poverty.

It started in 2013 when Lisa Heinrich’s public relations campaigns class worked with the United Way on an awareness effort to break down stereotypes related to hunger and homelessness. Since then, SCSU has annually participated in the Project Homeless Connect event while supporting those in the community experiencing homelessness or poverty.

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