Project Connect event provides access to homelessness services in Tempe

PHOENIX — Dozens of community organizations came together at a Tempe church on Tuesday to offer a wide range of services to people experiencing homelessness.

It was Tempe’s fourth year hosting Project Connect, a one-day event where attendees can address basic needs like getting a hot meal and a shower and receive more complex support like housing assistance and access to health care.

Project Connect is organized by Keys to Change, a Phoenix-based collaboration of partner organizations that provide homelessness services.

Marketing and communications manager Kim Beaudoin said Keys to Change holds similar events approximately every six weeks around the Valley. They essentially serve as miniature mobile versions of the group’s downtown Phoenix facility, which was formerly known as Human Service Campus.

“We have service providers there that work in their area of expertise in homelessness, whether that’s mental health, behavioral health, physical health or any of the many housing navigation services we have on campus,” Beaudoin said. “We take that show on the road to meet people exactly where they’re at.”

Beaudoin said the events can see anywhere from 80-150 people, with the one at Tempe’s University Presbyterian Church being one of the largest.

Tempe mayor lauds Project Connect effort

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods celebrated the collaborative environment of Project Connect, which featured a collection of nonprofit, faith and city organizations, just before the summer heat wave.

“I can’t even imagine if you were living on the streets when the temperatures are topping 115 degrees on a very regular basis. … It’s really important that we have that infrastructure clearly worked out between all of these different entities to make sure that we can help get people off the streets, get them into transitional housing and get people connected to services,” Woods said.

Tempe was sued earlier this month by several advocates with Valley nonprofits after the city cracked down on groups who were hosting free picnics for people experiencing homelessness without a permit.

Woods said he couldn’t directly address the complaint for legal reasons.

“We’re just trying to make sure, as a city, that we are partnering with people in our community who are doing everything they can to ensure that folks who are living on our streets have access to a roof over their heads, to make sure that they can get access to services. … We’ve seen a tremendous success in this area over the last few years in addressing unsheltered homelessness, and that work is going to continue,” Woods said.

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