Homelessness Game-Changer: 35 service providers descend upon Vancouver's Downtown Eastside - event brings life-changing services under one roof, dissolving silos

VANCOUVER, June 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Today at 11:00am, 35 social service providers will gather under one roof at Union Gospel Mission with one sole purpose: to eliminate the barriers that prevent Vancouver's homeless and under-housed from moving forward in life. The event is called Summer Connect.

Anyone who has ever faced paperwork through complex bureaucracy has a glimpse of what a homeless person faces when trying to access much-needed resources such as housing, ID and other critical assistance. Without transportation, literacy, good communications skills and an address, many resources available to deserving people become inaccessible.

Today's Summer Connect is a game-changer. Guests will gain access from everything to housing to legal assistance, and employment to income assistance. Free haircuts, bike and wheelchair repair, pet care and foot care will be available as well. A free meal, live music and comedy will ensure all who come, regardless diversity of need, will have a good time.

Groups and service providers come from all over Vancouver to be together at one time so individuals can access critical resources that allow them to tackle real problems and experience tangible improvements in their lives. It's estimated that what can be established here today would take the average person on the street eight months to accomplish.

Full news release: www.ugm.ca/media-centre

When: Today, Thursday, June 14, 2012 @ 11:00am - 3:00pm

Location: 601 East Hastings, Vancouver (and Princess Avenue)

Keela Keeping, [phone], [email protected], Twitter: @UGM, UGM.ca