Project Homeless Connect
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

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Project Homeless Connect

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Project Homeless Connect is an annual event that brings resources and services together under one roof to best serve those experiencing homelessness. In 2024, more than 650 people were served by more than 500 volunteers at the Milwaukee and Waukesha PHC events, with over $200,000 of items distributed and 130 laptops given to homes that need one. In addition, dozens of flu shots, haircuts, vision and dental screenings, birth certificate applications, and legal services were provided with followup appointments made to continue working to help people live their best lives.

 

 

WANT TO HELP?

 

Become a Sponsor

Help offset the costs to host this event:

$17,500 will provide lunch for every guest, advocate, and service provider volunteer for the day.
$10,000 will purchase warm winter gear (hats, gloves, handwarmers, etc.) for guests.
$7,000 will provide bus passes to every guest upon completing an exit survey to get to follow-up appointments.
$2,000 will purchase menstrual care products for guests.

Contact John Andrekopoulos at 414.263.8117 or via this form.

 

 

Provide a Service or Resource

Does your organization want to host a resource table or provide a service at an upcoming Project Homeless Connect? 

Service & Resource Table Registration for Project Homeless Connect Milwaukee & Waukesha are now closed. 

 

 

Volunteer

We are looking for guest advocate volunteers who will assist individuals, connecting them with resources and services provided throughout the Marquette facility.

Volunteers will:

  • Interact one-on-one with guests throughout the day.
  • Guide guests to needed services and resources.
  • Help throughout the day, assisting with lunch, the health and hygiene room, the check in/check out processes, and other resource areas.

Individuals must pre-register to secure a spot to volunteer. Team sign up is unavailable. There will be no volunteer walk-ins the day of the event.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

If you are bilingual, please note that in your submission. 

Registration is Closed.

 

 

You can also make a donation by utilizing our United Way Wishlist.

We have compiled a listing of our most needed and requested items into an Amazon Wishlist to make giving back even easier.

Our timeline to purchase supplies is now closed.

 

 

Host a Supply Drive

By donating items like toothpaste and deodorant, you are helping us ensure that these individuals have access to basic hygiene and personal care essentials. These items may seem small, but they make a significant difference in someone's life. We are accepting donations of new, never used everyday items, including:

  • Menstrual Hygiene Products 
  • Underwear for Men and Women (Pre-packaged) 
  • Coats and Sweatshirts 
  • Hats and Gloves
  • Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
  • Deodorant

Our timeline to host a supply drive is now closed.

 

 

 

CONNECTION IS UNDERRATED

Our community has resources available for those at risk of homelessness, but they can only do good when people know about them. The connection of services to those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness is what makes Project Homeless Connect effective. The connection between people that want to help and those that need it is what makes Project Homeless Connect meaningful.  

 

WHAT IS PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT?

Founded in 2004 out of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Project Homeless Connect is a nationally recognized model aimed at serving people experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect. Over the last several years, cities and communities across the nation have taken on the model and made it their own. Project Homeless Connect brings an array of resources and services together under one roof on one day to best serve those experiencing homelessness. Over 700 guests and 400 volunteers attend Milwaukee Project Homeless Connect annually. 

Project Homeless Connect pivoted to virtual and delivered services during the pandemic from 2020-2022. During this period, we delivered hundreds of backpacks full of basic need items to local shelters, distributed tech support grants, and held virtual listening sessions and public education events centered on homelessness. 

Success

  • Over 700 guests attend Milwaukee Project Homeless Connect every year. An additional 400+ volunteer guest advocates make this event a possibility. 
  • Thirty individuals experiencing homelessness were connected to resources at the inaugural Waukesha Project Homeless Connect in 2019.
  • Guests connected to resources at Project Homeless Connect often end their episode of homelessness and return to the event as a volunteer the following year. Previous event guests are now part of the Project Homeless Connect planning team, using their experiences to make the event more inclusive and impactful.
  • Project Homeless Connect brings together government leaders, the justice system, health & human service providers, and community members in a unique show of recognition and public education about homelessness in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. 
  • Project Homeless Connect has a been a touchstone event of the Milwaukee Continuum of Care since 2009.

Questions?

Contact Krystina Kohler at email.