United Way NSV to host Project Connect, a one-stop Resource Fair for the Community
(Winchester, VA) – June 15th, 2021 - Project Connect is a one-day, one-stop event where families can access multiple services and the resources they need, all under one roof. Sixty providers and more than 75 services will be available including free medical screenings, job assistance, veterans' services, housing information, free haircuts, food, and much more.
The second annual Project Connect will be held on June 25th, 2021 at Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary from 8:00am-2:00pm. United Way NSV estimates serving 250 people, most of whom are part of the ALICE® population.
Project Connect is made possible through generous underwriting sponsorships from Continental Corporation and Trex Company. Supporting sponsorships were made by Home Depot, Molina Complete Care, Navy Federal Credit Union, Sodexo and Valley Health. Additional support was given by City National Bank and United Bank. The event would not be possible without the support of these companies.
"At United Way we're all about moving people from crisis to stability, and what better way to do that than introduce them to all the services we have here in the community," said Nadine Pottinga, President and CEO of United Way NSV.
Project Connect events are held in more than 300 communities across the nation. They are recognized as an effective, organized effort to coordinate services to best assist people who are dealing with poverty and homelessness. At last year’s inaugural event, 185 individuals received help from 60 area providers. Highlights included offering 79 dental screenings, 87 free haircuts from volunteer stylists, 25 on-the-spot employment interviews, and 76 vision screenings. 86% of attendees in 2020 said they would likely not have been able to obtain the services without Project Connect.
“We’re aiming to connect people with all of the wonderful resources in our area. Material donations and drives are very important, but we also want to make sure that each person who needs and wants assistance is being helped., said Pottinga. “The event supports United Way’s work to empower area families to become self-sufficient and to remove as many roadblocks to success that we can – at least for one day – so that people looking for help are able to take action and get answers.”
What makes the event unique is the personalization and service clients will receive when they attend. Volunteers will be matched one-on-one with participants and guide them to the services they needed the most.
Walk-ins are welcome, but United Way is encouraging people to register in advance of the event to guarantee access to some of the services. Appointments must be scheduled to receive services from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is a new service provider this year.
More than a dozen health partners will be providing services, including Valley Health which will be conducting screenings for the Heart Attack Risk Program (HARP), as well as screenings for substance use and depression.