National Project Homeless Connect Nashville The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness has deemed it an "innovation" in addressing the misery of homelessness. On Dec. 2, 2008, this innovation, National Project Homeless Connect, is coming to Nashville. The current model of National Project Homeless Connect traces its roots back to the Operation Stand Down event for veterans and San Francisco, Calif., where Mayor Gavin Newsom launched the first Project Homeless Connect.  Since that time, less than three years ago, more than 170 communities in the United States, Canada and Australia have implemented the project with more events planned throughout the rest of the year.  In one day, Nashville National Project Homeless Connect will offer a trajectory out of homelessness to an estimated 3,000 people who have been pushed to the fringes of society by inviting them back into the community. The event, held at The Municipal Auditorium, will offer one stop shopping of resources.  Over 50 different services will be made available including dental care, identifications, benefits enrollment, and job opportunities; the Housing First Initiative aims to take 50 people directly from the streets to permanent homes that night.  When asked which of the services he was most excited about, Clifton Harris, homelessness coordinator for the City of Nashville and Davidson County said, "I.D.s, because there is nothing you can do without them." Judge Dan Eisenstein will hold community court on site and believes the judicial system "should be an integral part of solving the problem" of homelessness.  Judge Eisenstein feels that to make an impact on homelessness we as a society must "deal with people on an individual level."  It is a conviction that aligns perfectly with the basic philosophy of the project.  One way participants will be offered individuality and dignity is that they will be referred to as "clients". At the beginning of the day, each client will be partnered with a volunteer who will guide them through the services available. In all, 3,500 volunteers from all sectors - government, business, non-profit and faith - will join forces to extend community to the homeless, change the way resources are offered, and produce quantifiable results.  The event involves the whole community in an effort to end homelessness.  Harris says, "I often meet people who want to help but don't know how to get involved.  Project Homeless Connect offers them that opportunity."   Volunteers from every walk of life are essential but in every city Project Homeless Connect finds its catalyst in the mayor's office. "In the cities that are participating in Project Homeless Connect across our country, it begins with the political will of the mayor," says Philip Managano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. It is that collaboration between governmental and civic agencies that makes National Project Homeless Connect so unique and so effective. A concert free to the homeless will cap off the event that night; it will be open to the rest of the community for a fee. -Sherri Gragg Metropolitan Homeless Commission Newsletter/ August 2008