06/16/23
Gadsden State participates in Project Homeless Connect
Gadsden, Ala. — Gadsden State Community College faculty, staff and students partnered with the City of Gadsden and the Homeless Coalition of Northeast Alabama for Project Homeless Connect on June 14 at 210 at the Tracks. The homeless community had the opportunity to receive free summer clothes, medical services and food at the event.
“Project Homeless Connect is an innovative one-day event that provides a central assistance center to help the homeless community with unmet needs,” said Rebecca Whisenant, a co-chair of the event and the business service analyst at Gadsden State. “We offered people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to access an array of service free of charge in a system that is often difficult to understand and navigate.”
Gadsden State programs that volunteered include Spa and Salon Management, Nursing, Dental Assisting, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medication Assistant, Radiography, Veterans Upward Bound and the Educational Opportunity Center.
“Our students are thrilled to participate at Project Homeless Connect by providing free vascular screenings,” said Rebecca Southern, program director and instructor for DMS.
Gadsden State students offered a number of services, including taking blood pressure, giving haircuts and trimming facial hair. Other free on-site services were employment resources, benefit applications, domestic violence assistance, veteran resources and housing assistance.
Several organizations, like the Gadsden Public Library and the United Way of Etowah County, also participated. The Quality of Life provided vaccines and flu shots. The Health Services Center provided private HIV and AIDS testing. Individuals that tested received a $10 Walmart gift card.
“Not only did we offer free and private HIV and AIDS testing, but we also gave away condoms, snacks and first aid kits,” said Katrina Heath with the Health Services Center.
Various organizations donated care packages that were given to the homeless. They contained necessities, such as toilet paper, deodorant and food items.
“This is our first time doing Project Homeless Connect in the summer, and we are blessed to have such wonderful organizations to offer their help,” said David Heflin, co-chair of PHC. “I love seeing our community come together for the betterment of the people in it.”
Dr. Joey Battles, dean of Health Sciences at Gadsden State, assisted Project Homeless Connect by distributing free clothes to homeless participants.
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Sarah Kate Edmondson is an intern in the Gadsden State Public Relations and Marketing Department. She is a senior majoring in Communication Studies and Public Relations at Troy University.