Pete Talks about Haircutting: Volunteers Needed

Interested in volunteering? Contact Randall Stowe at 415-503-2124 or by emailing Randall.Stowe@sfdph.org


Able to help donate some barber stools? Contact Megan Rohrer at 415-503-2196 or by emailing Megan.Rohrer@sfdph.org

A Closer Look at Books

Dear PHC Supporters,

Life on the streets is hard for everyone. Housed and homeless alike often need a break from the stresses of daily life and a book can provide an escape to another world where we can be among friends, fight dragons, or be the President of the United States.

Project Homeless Connect is grateful to the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library who, since 2005, continue to donate a variety of books for each event. A book offers knowledge, adventure and humor, which is why the book table continues to be a popular and frequented space at each event.

In July we are hosting a special PHC focused on families and children. Books are an essential tool for building reading and life skills and can be the key to success. Please consider donating a new children's book to help enrich the lives of our youth. Below are the remaining event dates for 2012. We hope that you will support us and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

2012 Dates
May 9 - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
July 27 - Bayview Family Connect
October 17 - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
December 5 - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium


Kara Zordel
Director,
Project Homeless Connect

Thank You: River Soap Company

A big thank you to the River Soap Company, who donated 7,500 bars of soap to Project Homeless Connect.

Did you know that we give out toiletry kits to each participant at our events?

This donation is about a years supply of soap for our events. During this cold and flu season, toiletry donations are vital to the health of our participants.

The donations above are the result of a toiletry drive organized by a San Francisco student who encouraged her family and friends to support Project Homeless Connect. Donation drives like this remind us that people of all ages can make a real difference in the lives of San Francisco's homeless residents.

We're still looking for toiletry donations for our July 27th Family Connect. This special event will focus on families and children and we will need 2,000 donations of baby lotions and shampoos.

Let us know if you're interested in supporting this project. Remember, you can always support our project buy donating online.

Support Homeless School Kids

Results from PHC43

Dear PHC Supporters,

It's been said that when we stand alone we are nothing, but when we stand on the shoulders of our fellow man - we are giants! And like our San Francisco Giants, on February 15th we hit a home run! Here are the results for team PHC 43!

Total number of client visits: 1714
Total number of volunteers: 1102

62 ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS
42 WELLS FARGO BANKING ACCOUNTS
159/109 BENEFITS & FOLLOW UP APPTS Cal Works, Food Stamps, GA
380 CALIFORNIA STATE ID's
150 DENTAL
163 EMPLOYMENT
128/85/715 EYE EXAMS & PRESCRIPTIONS, READING GLASSES
17,217 lbs.GROCERIES from Food Bank and Greenleaf
125 HAIR CUTS
27 HEARING TESTS56HIV TESTS
105 LEGAL SUPPORT
1415 LUNCHES SERVED
83 MASSAGE THERAPY
198 MEDICAL and FOLLOW UP APPTS
60 NEEDLE EXCHANGE
78 SENIOR SERVICES
75 SSI/MEDI-CAL
27/29 SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH & METHADONE TREATMENT
250 SPRINT PHONE CALLS to family or friends
20 TB TESTS
55 PODIATRY
7 VETERANS SERVICES
83/34 VETERINARY CARE and PET SITTING
400 GOOGLE VOICEMAIL ACCOUNTS
16 WHEELCHAIR REPAIRS
12/9/40 were off the street in SHELTER, STABILIZATION, HOMEWARD BOUND


Below is an incredibly moving video of stories from our podiatry section recorded at our last event. This short video highlights the struggles and challenges caused by foot ailments. We desperately need more podiatrists at our events.

If this video touches your heart, as it has mine, pass it along to anyone who might be interested in volunteering. I would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Bill who has worked tirelessly in this area.



Thank you,

Kara Zordel
Director, Project Homeless Connect

Video: PHC43 Podiatry Story

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities please email Randall.Stowe@sfdph.org or call (415)503 - 2124.

Thank You: Hilton and SF Friends School

A special thank you to our friends at the Hilton who donated toiletries for more than 400 individuals at our upcoming Project Homeless Connect event on February 15th. This donation along with those of other organizations and individuals, will enable us to hand out 2,000 toiletry kits and socks (as we do at each event).

Another group of note that has helped get donations for these kits is a group of 6th graders from the SF Friends School. So far, they've collected 70 pairs of socks for our event.

What other project can you think of that allows corporations like the Hilton and local 6th graders work together to help homeless individuals improve their quality of life?

Toiletries may not seem like much. Many of you may even leave them unused in hotels when you travel. Yet, at our event this toiletry kit could enable:

• one individual who got employment services to be successful at a job interview the next day


• another individual to wash their hands regularly and decrease their likelihood of getting the flu


• another individual to use the toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent painful and expensive dental procedures.


• another individual (who attends the event with the intent of getting toiletries or socks) to see that they can also get help with other medical, dental, hearing and vision needs that they didn't know they could access


• another individual, facing the complex issues that surround homelessness, to feel supported by diverse members of the community

Interested in helping us? There is still time for you to volunteer at our event.

Our first event of 2012 is in less than a week and we want to see you there! Please register today to volunteer!

PHC 43 - Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The event will be held at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and volunteer hours are 8:30am-4pm with many shifts still available. Most opportunities offer an AM shift (8:30am-1pm) a PM shift (12:30-4pm) and an all-day shift (8:30-4pm).

Service Areas where we need more volunteers to sign up are:
Check-In and Data Entry: Great if you prefer to be seated!

Volunteer Central: Great for early risers! 7:30am start time

Dental: Great for dental or nursing students!

Interpreters: Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog and sign language too

Additional Opportunities for PHC 43
If you are interested in any of the following volunteer opportunities please email Randall.Stowe@sfdph.org or call (415)503 - 2124.

Coffee Crew
Calling all early risers! Thanks to the generous donation from Peet's Coffee we are able to offer coffee early in the morning for both our volunteers and participants. No fancy barista experience required here. We will just be serving good old - fashioned java by the cup! 7:00am start time required!

Additional PHC Needs
Our regular donor is unable to provide us with socks for our February 15th event. We need at least 1,000 pairs donated in the next two weeks! Clean white socks (preferably in men's sizes and athletic style with grey toes and heals). Please contact Megan.Rohrer@sfph.org or call 415-503-2196. You can learn more on our blog.