Like other cities around the country that are experiencing chronic homelessness, Fall River has been participating in a national movement to end homelessness over a ten year period. Over the first five years of the project, plans have been put in place to address prevention, outreach, emergency shelter strategies, supportive services, and permanent supportive housing strategies. On August 7, 2015, the Task Force held it's sixth Homeless Connect event at Bristol Community College which invited over 200 homeless and at-risk persons to obtain many of the resources they need but have difficulty obtaining due to their lack of housing. Over fifty agencies and service representatives were on hand for the four-hour event, including, identification cards, legal and medical services, and veterans' services, as well as healthy food for breakfast and lunch. Volunteers were on hand from a number of organizations to assist, and transportation was provided from four sites throughout the four-hour period. Click here for a two-minute video of the event. Click here for photos of the welcome and award presentation before the event. Click here for photos of last year's event. For more information, contact Mary Camara at 508-679-0131.

(Top row, left and center) Guests gather for a series of speakers and the presentation of the Rev. Donald S. Mier Award following remarks by Community Development Homeless Coordinator Mary Camara. (Top row, right) SOCO coordinator Janet Richardi introduces Fall River Mayor Sam Sutter to her Regional Network co-chair, Peter Muise, and her husband and Raynham Walmart Store Manager, Robert Richardi. (Row two, left) Steppingstone Case Manager Kathy Wildanger and Homeless Advocate Al Araujo get ready to distribute items to the guests. (Row two, right) Justice Resource Institute Housing Advocate Laura Raia.talks with representatives of South Shore Housing. (Row three, left and center) Community Development staff members Brian Pearson and Paul Thibault chat at the registration table as guests help themselves to breakfast. (Row three, right) Tim McGardy of the Fall River Career Center talks with Peter Muise of First Citizens Bank. (Row four) Beth Gregory talks with Henry Allsworth of the Fall River Social Security Office; Marissa Atkinso, Dawn Nardi and Lubelia Raposo of SER-Jobs talk with Ronald Cabral; and Career Center Job Specialist Carla Johnson talks with First Step Inn Intake Coordinator Patrick Russell. (Bottom row, left and right) Laura Raia talks with Dawn Nardi and Lubelia Raposa at the SER-Jobs table while Jillian Poirier works on an application with Lisa Atkinson of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. (Bottom row, center) The Southcoast Health Wellness Van was available for health screenings outside of the Commonwealth Center.