Hundreds of people who are homeless or at risk to be got help today in Missoula at the annual Project Homeless Connect event, where they were offered a variety of free services.
At First United Methodist Church, the pews were packed with volunteers and people looking for help. Volunteers provided free services like haircuts, dental checkups and job searching. Suzanne Sterrett has helped people repair clothing at Project Homeless Connect since its start 10 years ago.
“It’s important to me because my family was homeless twice. We always had people we could to turn to," Sterrett said.
Aisake Tisolo came to look for housing for himself and his young daughter. He was put on a waiting list for subsidized housing, but is hopeful he can find a home soon.
“It makes you feel like you’re actually trying to take steps - to make effort, to help yourself out,” Tisolo said.
The First United Methodist Church and the Poverello Center put on Project Homeless Connect as part of Missoula’s initiative to end homelessness in ten years. It’s currently in its third year.