Human Services to Hold Press Conference on Homelessness

For immediate release: Nov. 13, 2009
Claudia Tuck (561) 355-4775

Update on Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness and Announcing Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Nov. 15 – 21, 2009

The Palm Beach County Community Services Department’s Human Services Division, along with the Homeless Advisory Board, is holding a press conference to provide an update on the county’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness and to announce upcoming events related to Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

As chairman of the Palm Beach County Homeless Advisory Board, County Commissioner Jeff Koons will provide an update on the county’s progress in implementing its Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Other speakers will announce opportunities for the public to become involved in helping to end hunger and homelessness including specific activities related to Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Other speakers include Alex Stevens (Community Food Alliance), Perry Borman (Florida Department of Children and Families), Paulette Burdick (School District of Palm Beach County), Leo Abdella (Homeless Advisory Board) and Ezra Krieg (Community Outreach and Public Awareness Committee).

Palm Beach County Events for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Nov. 15 – 21, 2009:

• Sunday, Nov. 15 – Launching of new Internet page

What: A new Internet “landing page” (www.TheHomelessPlan.org) will be launched that will offer videos and information about the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. The Web site will provide networking and volunteer opportunities for those interested in helping.

• Tuesday, Nov. 17 – Roundtable Forum, 10 a.m.

Where: Marriott Hotel, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
What: The National Center on Family Homelessness (www.familyhomelessness.org) is holding a roundtable forum for policymakers, providers and advocates to discuss child homelessness in Florida. The forum will be led by the Honorable Kerry Murphy Healey, Lt. Governor of Massachusetts (2003-2007) and board member of The National Center; and Christina Jordan, director of the Campaign to End Child Homelessness. For more information, contact Christina Jordan at (617) 969-7146, or Christina.Jordan@familyhomelessness.org.

• Thursday, Nov. 19 – Video Screening, 2 p.m.

Where: Delray Beach Library, 100 West Atlantic Ave., (561) 266-0194
What: Video screening of “With Honor,” a depiction of the struggles of homeless veterans in our country

• Friday, Nov. 20 – “Project Connect” event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: The Salvation Army West Palm Beach Corps, 2122 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, (561) 478-5351
What: The Palm Beach County Homeless Coalition will hold “Project Connect.” Services provided at this event include identification cards, haircuts, phone station and food. Health screenings will be offered. Donations of clothing and hygiene kits are needed.

Other Activities:

• Launching of the “Ten2End” campaign logo
• Speakers will be available throughout the week to address community organizations (i.e., Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks, homeowners associations, book clubs) about homelessness and the work of the Homeless Advisory Board. To schedule a speaker, call (561) 355-4775.
• The School District of Palm Beach County will hold events throughout the week to raise awareness of the challenges presented by hunger and homelessness in our community. For more information, call Dr. Ann Faraone at (561) 738-2902.
• Food Drives will be held with the Community Food Alliance. Drives will be held by faith-based groups throughout Palm Beach County, and religious leaders will be asked to discuss hunger and homelessness in their weekly messages. Palm Beach County libraries will provide food collection bags that can be filled with non-perishable items.
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is producing several video vignettes which depict the true face of homelessness and will be posted on www.TheHomelessPlan.org in the near future.