WACO, Texas — The Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition hosted its Project Homeless Connect event this week in order to provide resources to Central Texans experiencing homelessness.
The longstanding community event ran from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Jan. 26.
Resources included the Salvation Army, Mission Waco, the Family Abuse Center, Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network and more.
Nicole Wiscombe, Director of Housing and Homeless Services for Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network said they even provide services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, as well as veterans.
"We do listening sessions and get feedback from participants on how we're doing as a homeless coalition and how we're doing as service providers," Wiscombe said.
Wiscombe said they have identified clothes, shoes and backpacks as top needs among the 242 unhoused citizens who call Waco home, based on 2023's point in time count.
The event also provided those in need with access to screenings for dental and medical services, haircuts and bicycle repairs.
"This allows us to identify new people in the community who are experiencing homelessness so we can engage them in case management services and get them connected to emergency shelter and permanent housing programs," Wiscombe said.
Demarius Carter has been homeless for four years in Waco and said he was able to take advantage of most all of the services the event provided.
"I got a haircut, got some clothes, got some food and some gloves and stuff," Carter said.
Carter said he's spoken with the Behavioral Health Network's MHMR services as well as services to take the next step in obtaining housing.
"We're begging for help, and that's a lot of things we need so this is a big event for us," Carter said.
For those interested in becoming part of the Homeless Coalition, you can visit their website here or reach out via phone.
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