The Benton County Homeless Connect is yearly event that helps to give homeless and low-income individuals and families an opportunity to access needed resources and assistance.This year’s Homeless Connect, hosted by Benton County Board of Commissioners , was held March 9th at Corvallis’s First United Methodist Church’s Community Center. Jessica Stallings, AmeriCorps VISTA member of CSC’s ‘Building Bridges’ VISTA Programs, organized the event. Her AmeriCorps*VISTA team mates traveled from across Linn, Lincoln and Benton counties to volunteer their services at the Connect.
Including the ‘Building Bridges’ VISTA team, 55 community members volunteered, and 27 different service agencies provided links to housing, medical and dental care, mental health services and much more to the 68 guests seeking services. Organizations providing free services during the event included Community Outreach Inc., Medical Teams International Dental Van, as well as local agencies that were available to answer housing and legal issue questions. A free hot meal was provided by Stone Soup.
Over $2,100 was raised in in-kind donations, some of which came in the form of donated clothing, socks, toiletries, and food.
