A Service Fair for Homeless Provides Help and Hope for Better Life
Project Homeless Connect
Many homeless people struggled this past week in the harsh winter weather, and today Yakima county is trying get a handle on just how big the problem is. Volunteers are doing an annual count of the homeless, and for those in need, a little hope goes a long way.
Alexis Sanchez of Yakima, who admits to a past drug problem, is now clean and sober, but homeless, something she's trying to change for the sake of her 19 month old daughter Thelma.
Alexis' mother Tammy Prado is also trying to kick a drug habit, and faces eviction for allowing her son to move in without the landlord's permission.
Today, both mother and daughter are attending Project Homeless Connect, a service fair set up by Yakima County.
"For at least one day a centralized location for people to get services that they might need, it can often be a barrier if you need to apply for a service and you need your ID, that's an extra trip," says Homeless Programs Coordinator Avery Zoglman.
"They gave me what I needed, and all I need to do now is to make an effort to call and reach out," says Sanchez.
This service fair in Yakima also helps to attract more homeless people to one central location, making them easier to count.
An accurate count will help advocates learn how many resources are needed to help the homeless. But organizers already know there's a shortage.
"We have winter shelters running right now that are really stretching and constantly looking for more people to open up more space," says Zoglman.
Still Tammy Prado and her daughter are optimistic a better life is in store for them.
"Before I came here, I felt helpless, I got hope now," says Prado.
Yakima County says preliminary results of this year's homeless count should be available early next month, with a full report expected in the spring. Last year, volunteers counted 872 homeless people in Yakima County.