WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative will host a “Homeless Services Connect Day” to deliver opportunities for people who are dealing with homelessness so they can access programs and services offered by an array of local organizations. The Homeless Services Connect Day will take place on Wednesday, February 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public.
According to a press release from the city of West Hollywood, the Homeless Initiative seeks to effectively address homelessness with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, collaborative response. The Homeless Services Connect Day will include programs and services offered by local organizations including: shelter; health and mental health services; job readiness assistance; substance abuse treatment; connection to benefits; programs offering connection to food, showers, clothing, and more. In addition, there will be no-charge health and wellness services available, such as: Hepatitis A vaccines; flu vaccines; HIV testing; and haircuts.
In January 2018, West Hollywood launched its “Real Change” Donation Station program. Donation Stations at four key locations are similar to standard parking meters, but they stand out due to their unique bright purple domes and blue-and-yellow signage. The Donation Stations offer information about the West Hollywood Homeless Initiative and accept both coin and credit card contributions. The funds collected will go towards the City’s Homeless Initiative. Community members and visitors can support the city’s outreach efforts and services to assist people who are experiencing homelessness by making a donation at these meters.
They are located at:
-West Hollywood Gateway (La Brea Avenue);
-Plummer Park (adjacent to tennis courts);
-Santa Monica Boulevard at Robertson Boulevard; and
-West Hollywood Park
The goal of the event is to draw awareness about the West Hollywood Homeless Initiative and to assist local businesses, residents, and community members with information and resources, and the city is distributing new informational materials. “Homeless Not Hopeless” cards have detailed contact information for community members who have concerns or who are being impacted and “Help Is Within Reach” pocket guides are being used by outreach teams to help people who are homeless to access resources.
A brief video highlighting the efforts of the city of West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative coordinated outreach teams program is available on the city’s WeHoTV YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/jta4e9r8-SI. For more information about the City of West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative visit www.weho.org/homeless.
For individuals concerned about a community member who is homeless, call the West Hollywood Homeless Initiative Concern Line at (323) 848-6590. If concerns are time-sensitive and assistance is needed during nights or weekends, call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850. For life-threatening emergencies or criminal activity, call 911.
For details contact Corri Planck, Project Manager, West Hollywood Homeless Initiative at (323) 848-6430 or cplanck@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY (323) 848-6496.
