What You Can Do
Connect to your cause and give a day to San Francisco
By Lynette Majer

   Chances are you’re familiar with San Francisco’s pioneering program, Project Homeless Connect (PHC), which has become a model for some 160 cities nationwide as well as Canada and Australia. Its goal is to connect the homeless with the services they need in a “one-stop shopping” environment that provides dental and vision exams; HIV testing; substance abuse and mental health counseling; social security, disability, and legal assistance; and much, much more. Hundreds of service providers and corporations contribute staff and in-kind services, such as eyeglasses, free phone calls, voice mail accounts, and mailings to connect with loved ones.

   At one event attended by this writer, “clients” could even have their feet bathed or necks massaged. Of the myriad services were wheelchair tune-ups, pet vaccines, and free books. A hot meal was served in a dining room with live music; take-away snack bags and hygiene products were popular items. A concerted effort is made to treat the participants with respect, and their gratitude for that as well as the available services is clearly evident. The doors open at 9 a.m. to a long line that wraps around the building, where most have slept overnight to ensure a coveted spot on the list for housing appointments or a pair of eyeglasses.

   Since its inception in 2004, over 18,000 volunteers have taken a day to help guide over 25,000 participants through the available services at PHC. Some companies encourage groups of their employees to attend; there are also student groups from area schools. The several times I have taken a day to help out, it has always been heart-warming and humbling, and I was struck with the polite and grateful responses from individuals, most of whom smiled and greeted me by name as they quickly scanned my name tag.

   There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities available at PHC, from greeting clients, assessing their needs, escorting them to needed service areas, compiling and entering data to breaking down and cleaning up the area after the event. There are also volunteer “navigators” who are matched with clients during the event, and then spend a few hours the next week accompanying the clients to their follow-up appointments.

   The events are held every other month, initially at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium; however, 2008 has seen new locations throughout the City. PHC 23 is July 23 and is a Veterans Connect. It will be held appropriately at the Veterans Building in the War Memorial complex, and will focus on in-need military veterans and their families — an oft-neglected segment of our population.

   It’s easy to volunteer at PHC —one-hour training sessions (scheduled in advance of the events), are recommend, but not mandatory, and advance registration is preferred, but you will also be welcomed if you just show up. For more information, call the project coordinator at 415-255-3470, e-mail volunteers@projecthomelessconnect.com, or visit www.sfconnect.org

   If you can’t make the Veterans Connect on July 23, you can still support this important program by attending Project Homeless Connect Night at AT&T Park for the Giants-Braves game on August 4. All proceeds from your $20 ticket will benefit the project, and there will be a special home plate ceremony. For tickets, visit http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/community/events.jsp
   The success of Homeless Connect has inspired several other programs, all of which are now termed San Francisco Connect. “Give a day to San Francisco” and choose from one of the following programs:

   Green Connect seeks to enhance and beautify the City’s environment, and to strengthen community ties by bringing together groups of residents, businesses, and city agencies to maintain public areas. Its Community Clean Team agency organizes plantings and clean-up events every month throughout the city; this month, Green Connect’s Community Clean Team targets Ocean Beach on July 12. There’s still plenty of room for you to pitch in and give a hand, and you’ll get a free lunch in return for your appreciated efforts! Sign up at www.sfconnect.org, or contact Ahmad Waraich at 415-624-9090 for more information.
   Youth and Families Connect collaborates with city agencies, nonprofits, and corporations to improve academic and employment opportunities by encouraging community involvement. It strives to motivate youth to success and to encourage them to reach their potential by instilling a desire for life-long learning. Help our city’s youth by participating in the 42nd Annual International Children’s Games from July 10-15 where 2,000 athletes, ages 12-15 representing 50 countries will compete in various sports. Many volunteer opportunities are available; visit www.sficg2008.com/volunteer, call 415-989-0070 or e-mail info@sficg2008.com.

   Tech Connect seeks to bridge the “digital divide” by providing Internet and computer access, training, and support to those living in the underserved areas of the City. Every Saturday at the Alice Griffin public housing project near Candlestick, Tech Connect conducts basic computer training. You don’t have to be a techie, but chances are you know enough to teach new users some basic skills as a computer tutor on July 19 or July 26. But hurry, only four volunteers are needed at each session. Call 415-385-7778 to sign up or visit www.sfconnect.org.

   If we all volunteered just one day a month, think how far it would go to solve some of the most pressing issues in our City. Plus, volunteering feels good, so get out and do some!
San Francisco Connect: 415-385-7778, www.sfconnect.org