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New Services available at Project Connect
Several new services will be provided at the fourth annual Charlevoix-Emmet-Antrim Project Connect. This year’s event will be held Wednesday, February 2 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Petoskey. Project Connect connects people in need with a range of health and human services needed to improve their lives.
"This year’s event will offer several new services which we expect will well-utilized by our guests," says Martha Lancaster of Char-Em United Way, Co-Chair of Project Connect. "The Department of Human Services will be able to take on-line applications for food and other assistance. This will help them qualify and receive assistance even faster. We will also do on-line registration for the Children’s health insurance program, MIChild."
It is recommended that people bring picture ID, birth certificate, and income information with them, if they wish to apply for benefits.
The health department will be offering free TdaP vaccinations, in addition to flu and other shots. The Tdap combines tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) boosters. Pertussis (whooping cough) is very contagious and can cause serious illness - especially in infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated. Adolescent and adult vaccination is also important, especially for families with new infants. There have been recent whooping cough outbreaks in our community.
"We will be also be offering digital photos for families, households, or single people attending the event," continues Lancaster. "We know that family portraits are often a luxury for people on a limited income and we hope this will be a nice treat. The Boyne City Visual Arts class is helping with this service. A final new service will be information cards for the new 2-1-1 Information and Referral hotline. This is a number that people can call 24/7 if they need non-emergency health and human service information."
Volunteers are still needed for Project Connect. Individual volunteer opportunities are posted on United Way’s Volunteer Connections website, www.tinyurl.org/volunteerconnections. Visitors to the site can search on the keywords Project Connect to see what is needed and respond directly through the website. Those without internet access can call United Way at 231-487-1006 for individual assistance.
Project Connect involved over 50 local non-profit agencies, as well as some businesses, which are on hand to provide a wide variety of services and resources. All services are free. They include: housing programs; utility support; food assistance; tax preparation; health screenings and services; children’s activities, and much more. Haircuts and chair massages will be available throughout the day. A hot lunch will be served. Guests can receive gifts of food, personal care items, and clothing, while they last.
Free bus service to Project Connect will be offered from both Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Call 1-877-211-5253 for information on bus service. Guests are encouraged to park at the Emmet County fairgrounds. Free parking and shuttle service to the K of C will be provided all day.
For more information about Project Connect, to volunteer goods, services or funds, contact United Way at 231-487-1006, info@charemunitedway.org or Hart at 231-347-8852, manna@mannafoodproject.org. Information and materials are also available on the Char-Em United Way website www.charemunitedway.org. A video of last year’s Project Connect can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA2AMgNc7k4
Project Connect is a project of the Poverty Reduction Initiative and Homeless Continuum of Care workgroup of the Charlevoix-Emmet Human Services Coordinating Body
Pictures from last year . . .
Flyer . . .
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