Project Homeless Connect
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

Image of three volunteers with bags at event

Project Homeless Connect 

This annual event that brings resources and services together under one roof to best serve those experiencing homelessness.

Project Homeless Connect

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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.

2025 Milwaukee Project Homeless Connect

Thursday, October 16 

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Marquette University's Alumni Memorial Union
 1442 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233

 

2025 Waukesha Project Homeless Connect

Tuesday, October 21

10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

 Carroll University's Campus Center
101 N East Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186

WANT TO HELP?

Volunteer

We are looking to recruit hundreds of volunteers to support Project Homeless Connect in Milwaukee and Waukesha. 
Please see the below volunteer role descriptions and other volunteer requirements. 

Volunteer Roles

  • Guest Advocates: Interact one-on-one or two-on-one with guests throughout the day by guiding them to needed resources and services throughout the event. 
  • Event Support: Support with activities such as volunteer/resource provider check-in, greeting and directing volunteers/guests, handing out supplies/lunch, and floating between rooms. 
  • Guest Check-in: Check-in support for community members coming to access services and resources at the event. (Must have a background in Social Work, Health & Human Services, or a similar field.

Volunteer Requirements

  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
  • Individuals must pre-register to secure a spot to volunteer. There will be no volunteer walk-ins the day of the event.   
  • If you are bilingual, please note this in your registration and in what language. 
  • If you are mental health first-aid trained or a certified mental health professional, please note this in your registration.  
  • Team Sign-Ups: If you are looking to sign-up an entire team, please email Lauren Domski to see if there is availability.  We cannot guarantee that teams will all be volunteering in the same area. 

Complete the Project Homeless Connect Interest Form below to be notified when our formal registration becomes available in August.

Click here for the Volunteer Interest Form

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 such as haircuts, health screenings, employment or legal aid at an upcoming Project Homeless Connect? 

REGISTER HERE FOR MILWAUKEE EVENT

Register Here for Waukesha Event


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.

Click here for Amazon Wishlist

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

Contact Lauren Domski to host a supply drive.

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.