A Day of Service, Support, and Community

“This event is about more than just services — it’s about human connection, meeting people where they are in their journey, and ensuring they feel seen, heard, and supported.”

–Charlene Welch, Chief Advancement Officer

 

On Jan. 30, CFTH welcomed 314 individuals seeking housing stability and essential services at our Project Homeless Connect (PHC) event. For the 17th annual event, New Life Recovery Services (formerly The Lord’s Gym) donated its facility to support our mission to provide Clark County with this vital resource for our unhoused community.

More than 30 service providers and resource partners offered housing support, employment assistance, pet care, basic necessities, and more — all under one roof. The event was made possible with support from Molina, Wellpoint, NW Natural, and Couve Collective.

Attendees at this year’s PHC received individualized support signing up for social services. NW Natural generously provided breakfast and lunch, ensuring those in attendance received services and nourishment as well.

For the first time, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) participated in Project Homeless Connect in Vancouver. DOL assisted 35 individuals, issued 30 identification documents, and handed out DOL2GO cards.

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries (FVRLibraries) signed up 25 new library cardholders, including three families, while sharing valuable information on free resources like faxing, $3 weekly printing credits, and accessibility to library services without requiring ID or a permanent address.

Healthcare was another key component of the day. Dr. Dave Griffin provided foot washing to 29 people, 18 nail trims, 15 podiatry visits, and distributed 100 pairs of tennis shoes. The Humane Society for Southwest Washington also ensured individuals with pets could access essential veterinary care, recognizing the deep bond between people and their animal companions.

PHC allows us to achieve multiple goals on a single day. Charlene Welch, our Chief Advancement Officer, describes three objectives PHC achieves:

• • • Provides access to a variety of services to help people experiencing homelessness take their next steps toward housing stability.
    • Creates a central location for gathering demographics, allowing us to understand who needs help, who is being helped, and where gaps in service exist — ultimately improving homelessness support.
    • Fosters a sense of community among volunteers, service providers, and people in need.

 

Beyond the tangible services, PHC continues to fulfill its deeper mission — fostering a sense of community, dignity, and hope. “Kindness and compassion are the driving forces of the day,” explains Charlene.

PHC also coincides with the annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, an effort in understanding the scope of homelessness in Clark County. Data collected during this count will help inform future strategies and funding to support the region’s most vulnerable populations. For more information on the PIT Count, see media coverage by KGW, The Columbian, and OPB Think Out Loud.

PHC remains a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when a community comes together in service — reaffirming CFTH’s mission to prevent and end homelessness, along with our commitment to ensure no one is left behind in the journey toward housing stability. See photos from Project Homeless Connect.

 

What’s next, you ask???

Mark your calendars and join CFTH board members, staff, partners, and the community at our annual Gathering for Change on Oct. 15 at Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver. The evening includes inspiring stories, ways to be involved in solutions to end homelessness, and a fundraising appeal to support CFTH vital services and programs. We are grateful for this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Walsh Construction, and look forward to seeing you there! See photos from last year’s amazing event.

For more information on Council for the Homeless and how to support future events, visit, like, and follow our social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

Nneka D. Coxeff, Communications manager, leads external messaging for Council for the Homeless. With more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she is deeply committed to advocacy and storytelling that uphold mission integrity. She is thrilled to serve Clark County, where she resides with her family.