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1303 Hospital Ground • STE 1 • St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722 • (340) 774-0930 3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, VI 00802 • (340) 718-2980 www.dhs.vi.gov GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES Press Contact: Kimberley Causey-Gomez, MSW Commissioner Kimberley.causeygomez@dhs.vi.gov Phone: (340) 718-2980 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: Thursday, 12 May 2022 VI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOSTS PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT EVENTS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS -The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS), in partnership with government agencies, non-profits and community-based homeless service providers, is pleased to be hosting the 2022 Project Homeless Connect (PHC) events. Project Homeless Connect is an outreach activity to assist the unsheltered homeless and persons at risk for homelessness to gain access to much needed services. “DHS has a strong commitment to provide services and support to the VI homeless population. Project Homeless Connect is one way we follow through on our commitments to the community.” says VIDHS Commissioner Kimberley Causey- Gomez. PHC events will take place on all three islands in the month of May. The events will provide critical services free of charge, including COVID testing, meals, vaccination and mitigation education, primary care medical evaluations, clean clothing, benefit enrollment, individualized personal care, and distribution of wellness kits. There will also be volunteers to help individuals establish linkages to service providers for continued engagement post event and establishment. The VI Department of Human Services will be offering MAP and SNAP enrollment. Medical services will be provided by the VI Department of Health and Frederiksted Healthcare, Inc. In conjunction with PHC, partner agencies will establish a disaster registry of unsheltered homeless. The registry will serve to ensure unsheltered homeless are identified for access to services pre-disaster, during, and post-disaster. The disaster registry will be conducted on St. Croix during PHC. St. Thomas and St. John disaster registry will be conducted during additional homeless outreach activities hosted by partner agencies post PHC. Commissioner Causey-Gomez stated, “The Project Homeless Connect events could not happen without our community coming together. The US Virgin Islands is blessed to have so many caring people who want to support the vulnerable in our community. The territorial events will help link individuals to community services and help the GVI and non-profit agencies prepare for hurricane season, ensuring our most vulnerable are supported and accounted for in an event of an emergency.” The last Project Homeless Connect event was held in 2015 and successfully served 217 persons on St. Thomas, 185 on St. Croix, and 38 on St. John. Volunteers from government and community-based agencies have participated in the planning and will come together to support this year’s three-event effort. “We are so thankful for our partner agencies for collaborating on Project Homeless Connect and for their unwavering support of our work,” says Commissioner Causey-Gomez. A special thank you to our lead agencies, Methodist Training and Outreach Center, Catholic Charities of VI and Community First! - these agencies play an integral role in working with the unsheltered homeless in our community daily. EVENT DATES: • STT - Friday May 13, 2022, 9:00am- 12:30pm Charlotte Amalie Market Square • STJ - Friday May 20, 2022, 9:30am – 12:30pm Port Authority Gravel Parking Lot • STX - Friday May 27, 2022, 9:30am- 12:30pm Community First! (Formerly Villa Morales) (Masks are required to receive access to the event) 1303 Hospital Ground • STE 1 • St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722 • (340) 774-0930 3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, VI 00802 • (340) 718-2980 www.dhs.vi.gov The VI National Guard will be conducting temperature screening all participants upon entry; any temperature will be escorted to the medical area for further evaluation. COVID-19 mitigation supplies will be provided by the VI Department of Health to ensure a safe environment for volunteers and participants. Funding for the event is provided by the VI Housing Authority- HUD Emergency Solutions Program CV Grant. For general information, please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usvidhs). The Department of Human Services (VIDHS) exists to provide social services to members in our community with diverse needs. In times of national uncertainty and hardship we act as a safety-net and exist to inspire hope and empower change through non- judgmental, quality delivery of needed services and resources. Please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi for more information. The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure, and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government, and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov. ## END ##