Elizabeth Reville: Homeless Connect event brought hope to many low income residents

The annual Homeless Connect, sponsored by Carson City Health and Human Services, was held on Sept. 20. Organized by Kathy Wolfe, Administrative Services Officer and Frances Ashley, case manager, this well-coordinated event is a hand up, not a handout for Carson City's homeless and low income residents.

The event was staffed by various community agency personnel who set up tables at the CCHHS building with information about services, legal matters, welfare, housing, free immunizations for children, and charitable organizations that provide services to residents who are down on their luck. Jeff Fast from Friends in Service Helping (FISH) provided transportation to the FISH clinic for adult immunizations, and dental and medical check-ups. Two very caring hairstylists volunteered their time to cut and style hair; snipping and shaping, they worked their magic bringing smiles and much appreciation from their clients.

I was part of a group of volunteers from St. Teresa Catholic Community's social justice program, JustFaith, which is now in its second year. We gathered at 7 a.m. and divided up the work " some of us prepared breakfast burritos to be distributed at the event and others sorted clothes from our clothing drive. Several ladies from the parish began knitting hats, gloves and scarves several months ago when they learned that we were collecting clothing and blankets. After arriving and setting up tables piled with clothing, several volunteers helped people pick out items. It was heartwarming to watch one little boy who was so delighted with his winter jacket, that he didn't want to take it off even when the weather warmed up.

While the adults checked out the available resources, the children were treated to a puppet show and face painting by high school students from St. Teresa Catholic Community's youth group " it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the teens or the kids.

Amid the festive air and children's laughter, I couldn't help but notice the dejected and the look of shame on some of the faces of the adults I interviewed. The survey given by Health and Human Services was optional, but no one refused to provide information. To respect the privacy and protect the identity of the respondents, I will only speak in general terms regarding their circumstances.

There were several single men, a few women, and some families who are literally homeless " some live by the Carson River, others in their cars or campsites, and some who live in local motels. They work day labor, part-time retail or service jobs, and the breadwinner in each of two families had just been hired at full-time jobs, but they were out of money until they receive their first paycheck in a couple of weeks. Through coordinated efforts by the staff of CCHHS and FISH, one family was saved from being out on the street that very day. I was relieved knowing that they would be warm and safe until they qualified and found permanent housing.

When I was growing up, my mom would tell me about her older brothers who hopped a train to find work during the Depression and that through their hard work and the kindness and generosity of strangers, they survived and eventually moved back home to California. It was her way of teaching me that acts of kindness can and do make a difference in people's lives.

The staff at CCHHS and the many volunteers at Homeless Connect embody the spirit of generosity, care and respect for the homeless and low income residents of Carson City. In our current economic downturn, there has been an increase in the number of people needing assistance, so keeping up our donations of food, clothing, and volunteering our time are especially important to local charitable agencies. And the Circles program, described in recent columns, offers hope to people who find themselves in dire straits because of loss of a job, illness, divorce, home foreclosure, or any other catastrophic event in their lives.

There are many ways in which the citizens of Carson City are making a difference; each one of us can share our gifts of time, talent, and resources. Keep up the good work Carson City!

Elizabeth Reville is a freelance writer and resident of Carson City.