On Sunday, I spent the day volunteering with the Homeless Connect IV at the Shaw Conference Centre. Homeless Connect is a community event that brings together agencies, businesses, and volunteers one day at one location, to provide a range of services which can help homeless people out of homelessness.
I found it to be an extremely rewarding day and am still reflecting on the experiences. I am told that over 1,200 guests accessed the services available today. As a volunteer at the registration desk, I interviewed many of the guests and had a chance to share a conversation with them.
As someone who lives in the urban core of Edmonton and regularly sees homeless people on the street, it has become shockingly easy to pass each day without really thinking much about it. Volunteering for Homeless Connect IV gave me an opportunity to meet Edmontonians who’s lives are very different than mine and those in my social circles. It really opened my eyes to how many homeless people actually live in our city and the complex challenges they are facing. I am looking forward to volunteering for Homeless Connect V in October 2010.
Related:
Alex Abboud: Photo Essay: Homeless Connect IV
CTV Edmonton: Edmonton’s homeless get a caring boost
Edmonton Journal: Homeless Connect draws large crowd in Edmonton
Edmonton Sun: Edmonton’s homeless, volunteers connect
One reply on “homeless connect iv. a rewarding experience.”
Where’s the Minister of Homelessness in all of this? Why wasn’t he there?