Nazareth College Students and Faculty Play Critical Role at Project Homeless Connect Rochester, Sept. 13

Media on-site contact: Nazareth Social Work Prof. Leanne Charlesworth (working at front door)

ROCHESTER, NY (09/07/2018) On any given night in Rochester and Monroe Country, hundreds of people are living either on the streets or in temporary shelter. Project Homeless Connect Rochester (PHCR): A Day of Services at Blue Cross Arena at The War Memorial Exchange and Broad Streets will be September 13, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. It's an event to connect individuals experiencing or at high risk of homelessness with critical services in a "one-stop" venue. Nazareth College students are joining together with a wide range of community agencies and professionals to provide the homeless with access to health care, social services, legal advice, food, medical care and much more-all within a caring and safe environment. Other main event partners include County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo and Monroe County, the City of Rochester, plus a wide range of homeless service providers, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other key community organizations.

Nazareth College social work and public health students comprise the majority of PHCR volunteers. The scope of Nazareth College student and faculty volunteers has also expanded significantly to address the need for (ASL and Spanish) interpretation services, a streamlined resource (coats, toiletries) distribution system, and transportation.

PHCR entrance interviews conducted by Nazareth College students indicate the "one stop" venue serves approximately 700 individuals and families annually. Each year, about half of PHCR guests report that they did not sleep in their own home on the night prior to the event - some slept with friends and family members, some slept in shelters, and some slept on the street. Approximately half of those who slept in their own homes face the threat of eviction within three weeks.