Project Homeless Connect coming to Watsonville
A program aimed at helping homeless men and women get back on their feet is coming to Watsonville next week for the first time.
Organizers of Project Homeless Connect say they’re seeing a greater need for services this year, particularly in southern Santa Cruz County. The event has been held in Santa Cruz since 2010; this year marks the first time the organization is holding an event in Watsonville.
On Wednesday, Christina Thurston was busy getting volunteers ready for the 2014 Project Homeless Connect event. It’s basically a one-stop shop for those in need of housing, medical services, employment assistance and other services. Volunteers provide services such as hair cuts, dental care, wheelchair repair, legal advice and much more.
“In 2013, there were over 3,500 homeless individuals in Santa Cruz County, which is a lot for a county our size,” said Thurston.
According to a study released by Applied Survey Research, some 640 of those individuals call Watsonville and surrounding areas home. In that same survey, one of the main reasons identified by respondents was mental illness.
And that’s where Watsonville Police are stepping in to help.
Sgt. Michael McKinley said that in the last six 6 to 12 months, the department has seen an increase in calls for service directly related to mental health issues. That’s prompting the department to issue special training for all of its officers.
“Training will provide officers on how to recognize metal illness, how to de-escalate situations when dealing with persons suffering from mental illness, and how to use active listening skills,” said McKinley.
It’s not just police who are honing these skills. City leaders and business owners also will be trained on how to deal with people with a mental illness.
“This is a specialized type of contact where additional training and additional skills are necessary for officers to bring these to successful conclusions,” McKinley said.
Success… that’s something Sgt. McKinley and Christina Thurston are both working toward.
Training for officers starts next month.
The Project Homeless Connect event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 215 East Beach St. in Watsonville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information or to volunteer, visit the website.
