JACKSON, MI -- On Friday, November 20, 2009, Jackson organizations came together with volunteers to provide a helping hand for Jackson's homeless.

Two volunteers pose for the camera.

Guests were treated to dinner and a show, courtesy of several Jackson organizations and many volunteers. Homeless guests, some of whom may not have eaten a hot meal in days, were waited on restaurant-style. Everyone feasted on hot turkey and a plethora of sides, including dessert. While eating, guests were entertained by live music courtesy of four bands: Uncle Carl's Dulcimer Club, The Rose City Harmonica Club, Dixieland Band and Bea Furman.

But the Thanksgiving meal was just one of the event's many undertakings. Project Connect also offered many services, including haircuts, medical care, financial counseling, and employment resources. Vendors from many organizations also gathered to give information about the various services and resources for Jackson's homeless.

Among Jackson Project Connect's in-house services were support meetings for substance abusers. Sharon, one of many volunteers, lauded these meetings. "The substance abuse program is an open door for people who want to get clean and stay straight." She said. "Programs like this are an opportunity for other people to realize that the community needs help. We need to get more information out to the public." In addition to working in the kitchen during the event, Sharon also volunteers at the Jackson Inter-Faith shelter.

Volunteer Dominique noted, "how much they support the homeless and poor in Jackson. There's no judgement. If one of us becomes homeless, we have people to turn to. It's nice to see the community come together like this."

"Live United" was the creed of the event, and it showed. This writer served tables in the dining room. The tables gathered homeless, volunteers and professionals who ate side by side. Sometimes it was not easy to distinguish who came from which group. In a way, that was the point. We all came to Project Connect for different reasons (interns, volunteers, consumers, businesspeople) but we all came to that dinner table for the same reason: we were hungry. A healthy reminder that, while much of our lives may be different from one another, we all have the same basic needs.

After the event, the consensus is that it went excellently. There was a bigger turnout this year than last: more consumers as well as more volunteers. Many homeless left with full bellies and new resources in hand. Volunteers left with the satisfaction that they helped improve lives, even if only for a day.

Project Connect would like to thank the following people and organizations, as well as the many volunteers (far too numerous to list) who gave their time and resources for the event. Thanks for helping to make Jackson Project Connect 2009 such a success.

211 A Time 2 Unwind- Kelsey Wallace (Massages) Allegiance Substance Abuse Services AWARE, Inc. Born Free Catholic Charities Center For Family Health Community Action Agency Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect CP Federal Credit Union Crossroads Christian Center David B's Transitional Homes Department Human Services Disability Connections Do'Chas End Hunger in Jackson Food Pantries Eye Glass Repair Faith Community Group Faith Community Nurses First Church of Christ First Church of the Nazarene Fitness Council Goodwill Industries Grace Haven Health Dept Homeless Liaison Human Relations Commission Image Program Jackson Area Youth Council

Jackson College Access Center Jackson County Department on Aging Jackson County Health Department Jackson Interfaith Shelter Jackson Transit Authority Legal Services of South Central Michigan Legal Services Lifeways Michigan Prison Re-entry Initiative Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service Noeticus Counseling Panera Bread Post Office Sacred Heart Salvation Army Society of St. Vincent DePaul thrift stores Society of St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson District Council South Central Michigan Works Suicide Prevention Council Together We Can Make a Difference Training and Treatment Innovations U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs United Way of Jackson County US Census Bureau Volunteers of America Walton's Agency Works Services

Thanks also to Dana Cook, Daphne Smith, Ray Snell, Bea Furman, Tim Walz, Vicky Rickman, Vesus Grier, Spring Arbor University students and Justin Mulwee (web designer).

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