Participants benefit from sixth Homeless Connect
DALTON, Ga. — Patty Arnold said she almost stayed home Wednesday because of the cold weather but she’s “so glad” she didn’t.
Arnold, 62, attended the Homeless Connect event at the Mack Gaston Community Center and a blood pressure screening registered 175 over 111, which is considered high for both numbers.
“They told me I need to call my doctor and go to the emergency room,” Arnold said, referring to staff with the DEO Clinic who administered the screening. The DEO Clinic offers free medical care to uninsured low-income individuals who live in Whitfield and Murray counties,
The blood pressure screening was part of the sixth annual Homeless Connect, an initiative sponsored by the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corp. to provide various services such as information and haircuts to the homeless or those who may be near homelessness, and to help them secure stable housing. The latter is part of the Community Development Corp.’s mission.
Arnold said she’s been under “lots of stress” taking care of family members who have been sick.
“I had stents put in my heart about six months ago,” she said. “I need to take better care of myself.”
Other organizations that participated included the Dalton Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology, Dalton’s Greater Works, Georgia Legal Services, Kool Smiles, the United Way of Northwest Georgia and the Women’s Enrichment Center.
Slightly more than 50 people attended Homeless Connect, half of what organizers say they’ve seen in previous years.
“I think it’s slower than usual because it’s cold outside,” said Jennifer Shearin, executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corp.
Shearin said area shelters were open all day and people probably didn’t want to leave.
Homeless Connect event at the community center benefits many
Arnold said she’s not homeless, but she is looking for a place of her own.
“Right now I’m staying with a friend,” she said.
Arnold said she’s “grateful” for the DEO Clinic.
“They have helped me in the past,” she said. “If it weren’t for them I would not have gotten anything done.”
Martha Wassum, a volunteer coordinator for the DEO Clinic, said about 25 people had had their blood pressure checked by noon.
“We also provided information about our clinic and how to apply for services,” she said.
Shearin said Homeless Connect isn’t just for people with no home but also for those “at risk of becoming homeless.”
Jackie Cooper, 53, of Dalton, is one of those “at risk.” Cooper said she’s been living in a family member’s garage for a year and three months.
“I came here today to get assistance to find somewhere to live,” she said.
She called the event “neat.”
“There is a lot of free stuff here and that doesn’t happen often,” she said. “When you’re on the streets everyone wants something.”
Margaret Zeisig, director of community solutions for the United Way of Northwest Georgia, said there was a “big rush of people” when the doors opened at 10, then it tapered off.
“We had 20 blankets and they are all gone,” she said. “There are also gloves, hats, coats and toiletries, all free.”
Students from the Dalton Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology provided haircuts. This was the second year Christy Holcomb, an instructor at the school, participated. She brought five students and by noon they had already cut hair for 15 people.
“I love volunteering for this,” Holcomb said. “I’m glad we could make others feel good about themselves.”
Shearin said she’s thankful for the volunteers.
“We couldn’t do this without our volunteers and everybody who participates,” she said. “We hope to be able to do the seventh annual next year, we’ll start planning soon.”
Anyone interested in volunteering or providing toiletries can call Victoria Hamilton at (706) 529-8270, ext. 1601.