Free health care and services offered for homeless people

By Marcy Stamper
    It’s more than just a free lunch.
    Dental and optometric care, haircuts, clothing for work and for cold weather, help finding a job and signing up for social services, and information on housing and shelter will be provided free of charge to homeless families and individuals in the county next Wednesday, Jan. 21.
    “Project: Community Connects!” brings together health care providers, social service agencies, community volunteers and religious organizations to help homeless people and to better learn about the needs of the homeless during the coldest time of year.
    The day of giving coincides with a nationwide count of homeless people, which helps agencies gauge the extent of people’s needs and target their services.
    Health care professionals will also be providing checks for blood pressure and diabetes and referrals for reproductive health and family planning, said Lael Duncan, executive director of Okanogan County Community Action, one of the organizers of the event. A hospital representative will help people navigate the medical maze and understand available benefits.
    Representatives from social service agencies will be on hand so people can sign up for benefits, including rental and heating assistance. The Department of Licensing will help people get official identification cards.
    While some clothing will be available for people to take home, Duncan said they plan to create a registry to match people with the clothes they need in the sizes they need.
    Many people are in precarious financial situations right now and in danger of losing their homes, said Duncan, who noted an increased demand at food banks and the difficult combination of low vacancy rates and high rents throughout the county.
    Last year, the county tallied 326 homeless people during the weeklong census. This year, 100 families have been on the waiting list for housing since September, said Duncan.
    The day also provides an opportunity for the general public to volunteer and see the face of homelessness in Okanogan County, said Duncan.
    The event is sponsored by Okanogan Community Action, Okanogan County, Family Health Centers, Homelessness Task Force, Housing Coalition, Housing Authority of Okanogan County, Okanogan County Transportation, Manfisher Ministries and Omak Presbyterian Church.
    For more information or to donate goods or services or volunteer, call Community Action at (509) 422-4041 or (877) 641-0101 or e-mail Duncan at LaelD@occac.com.
The community day of giving is Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Omak Presbyterian Church at 9 S. Birch St. The sponsors have arranged for free transportation from Brewster and Oroville to Omak, but not from the Methow Valley.

See a movie, raise $$ for the homeless
    Concerned citizens can also help the homeless at a fundraiser where the film Where God Left his Shoes, starring John Leguizamo, will be screened.
    The film tells the story of a New York City family that is evicted from their apartment and end up in a homeless shelter, and follows their search for jobs and permanent housing. The film won the Humanitas Prize for Best Feature Film at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007.
    Proceeds will support services and housing for homeless persons who come into Community Action.
The film will be shown at the Mirage Theater in Omak on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 1 p.m. Suggested donation is $10.