Demand is high at Project Connect in Grand Island

Just before the doors opened Thursday at 10 a.m., about 80 people were standing outside, waiting to get in to the Pinnacle Bank Expo building at Fonner Park.

Inside, 40 to 50 service providers were ready to give those people a hand.

“Project Connect is a day of free services for those in need — either experiencing homelessness or experiencing financial hardship,” said Jennifer Figueroa of Hope Harbor.

Having the services provided in one spot, all in one day, makes it easier for folks who “may be living on the streets or may be going from place to place,” or those who don’t have the money year-round, Figueroa said.

At Project Connect, people can receive free medical and dental services, including vision and foot care and health screenings. They can also learn about a host of programs. “They know that they can get it done in one day and for free,” Figueroa said.

On one side of the building, six stylists were giving people free haircuts.

One of the stylists, Tausha Burtis, made the trip from Lincoln, “because volunteering is near and dear to my heart.” Burtis is the manager of Supercuts at The Highlands.

Also donating their time were Karina Johnston and Nikki Smith of AK Stylz in downtown Grand Island.

It was the ninth time Johnston cut hair for free at Project Connect. “I mean, why not give back when you can?” said Johnston, the owner of AK Stylz.

In addition to Hope Harbor, Project Connect is organized by the Multicultural Coalition, Willow Rising, the Salvation Army and the Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership. The event, originally called Project Homeless Connect, used to take place at GI Free Church. This was its third year at Pinnacle Bank Expo.

Every year, St. Leo’s Catholic Parish holds its annual coat giveway the same day as Project Connect. Now in its 19th year, the coat giveaway runs from 10:30 to 5 p.m.

After 11 a.m., there was also a line outside St. Leo’s.

For families, the approach of winter underscores the urgency of picking up coats, hats and gloves.

Why does St. Leo’s organize the big project every year?

“We’re just trying to serve the community. That’s one of our Catholic social teachings, is to take care of the poor and the vulnerable,” said Peachis Amadou, the church’s outreach coordinator.

Grand Islanders do a great job of supplying gently used coats, hats, gloves and scarves, Amadou said.

In addition to the church, drop-off boxes are set up at U-Save on Webb Road, Hy-Vee and both Super Savers.

A total of 1,698 coats were distributed by St. Leo’s last year. Coats not claimed are taken to Church of Christ, which has a free clothing giveaway every Thursday.

Meanwhile, back at Pinnacle Bank Expo, interested people could find out about the Oxford Houses of Nebraska.

The homes are for people who are “ready to be done with drugs and alcohol,” said Troy Jass of Hastings, who is the program’s outreach coordinator for western Nebraska.

Grand Island is home to four Oxford Houses — three for men and one for women with children. More than 80 Oxford Houses operate in Nebraska, including two in Hastings and three in Kearney. The Omaha area has 44.

The addiction recovery houses are operated at no cost to taxpayers, Jass said. Residents pay a weekly fee for housing, and are free to stay as long as they want.

The program has an 87% abstinence rate for people who stay at least a year, Jass said.

Residents caught with drugs or alcohol are shown the door, and referred for in-patient treatment.

“Recovery is contagious, and so is relapse,” Jass said.

Most alcoholics who don’t achieve sobriety have a sad ending, he said.

At another table, Mirian Hurtado and Tina Bourland were representing the Hall County Housing Authority.

The Housing Authority has two programs, one of which is public housing. The Authority leases and maintains 376 apartment units and duplexes, plus 18 scattered site houses. Tenants pay 30% of their adjusted income toward housing costs.

Hurtado said the wait for one-bedroom apartments is two to three months. For two-bedroom apartments, the wait is four to six months. The wait is 24 months for three-bedroom apartments.

The other Housing Authority program is a voucher program, in which people find lodging with private landlords. The voucher program is also known as Section 8.

One of the businesses on hand was Selectel Wireless, which was advertising the Affordable Connectivity Program, created by Congress. Those who qualify for the program may receive a free smartphone and service.