Two years ago when my boss asked me to coordinate Project Homeless Connect, I thought "No way! Organize an event to bring together scores of service providers and hundreds of folks experiencing homelessness in Orange County?" I didn't have much background in the issue of homelessness, so I thought, "I could seriously blow this ... but hey, expectations can't be too high ... so why not?"

Since then we've held two Project Homeless Connect events and somehow, they came together. Lots of people were willing to get involved in ending homelessness, and Project Homeless Connect offered many ways to contribute. I was greatly relieved, and surprised, not to have to beg people to participate. They wanted to help.

Out of nowhere -- or so it seemed to me -- a group of extremely knowledgeable and dedicated people signed on to the planning committees. Then the Town of Chapel Hill let us use the Hargraves Community Center, and the town and Orange County allowed their employees to provide services and volunteer at the event. Dozens of service providers helped get the word out and transported guests to the event. They offered health care, dental care, mental health care, job training, education, employment, benefits, legal advice, housing assistance and more. The Triangle United Way gave us several thousand dollars; local businesses, groups and individuals donated money, food, clothing and personal care products.

Community members contributed to Project Homeless Connect by raising money and/or gathering donations. Last year, UNC students slept in cardboard boxes in the Pit to raise awareness of homelessness and raised $2,000 for the event. One faith community sponsored the project's barbershop; others contributed socks and personal care products. Local businesses contributed food and money.

Three hundred or so volunteers helped at each event. Some served as escorts, guiding homeless guests through the event, becoming their advocates and friends. Intake volunteers explained all the services available to the guests and helped them prioritize their needs. Podiatrists provided free foot care. UNC students organized and served all the food. Folks cooked up pots of soup and yummy desserts. This year we're hoping to have musicians provide entertainment and jam with the guests.

A total of 133 guests were served the first year and 202 the second year, and many felt the assistance they received would have a lasting impact on their lives. What really struck me the most, however, were their many expressions of gratitude for having members of their community reach out to them with respect and connect with them. The volunteers were equally moved by having made that connection through their own very personal contributions.

There are many agencies such as the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, OPC Area Program, Orange Congregations in Mission, Piedmont Health Services, and Housing for New Hope that help the homeless day in and day out, underpaid and overworked. In these tough economic times it is unlikely that their already woefully inadequate funding will increase substantially any time soon.

Project Homeless Connect and the other initiatives of the Orange County Plan to End Homelessness aim to support and complement their work, and our entire community is helping to make that happen. You too can contribute your time, resources, or talents to help end homelessness by contacting those agencies, or, if you're interested in participating in Project Homeless Connect, contact me at jrohe@townofchapelhill.org or 969-5059.

Jamie Rohe is a senior community development planner for the Town of Chapel Hill.