Hundreds of homeless San Diegans gathered at Golden Hall Wednesday to access resources like haircuts, legal services, dental work and a hot meal as part of Project Homeless Connect.
The event is led by the San Diego Housing Commission. The Interfaith Shelter Network, Family Health Centers of San Diego and St. Vincent de Paul Village all partner on the effort.
The Housing Commission announced after the event wrapped that the event served 1,150 homeless citizens, and involved 550 volunteers and 71 service providers.
We followed some of the San Diegans in attendance throughout the morning as they filled up plastic bags with new clothes and received foot baths and other services from the large crew of volunteers.
All photos by Sam Hodgson.
Homeless San Diegans line up outside Golden Hall as part of Project Homeless Connect.
Steve Williford, a volunteer with Project Homeless Connect, stores participants’ belongings.
Dwayne McNeal receives a foot bath from volunteer Jennifer Guerra.
Yochanan Sebastian Winston plays the saxophone.
Brandon Delk receives a teeth cleaning.
Mayor Bob Filner chats before a small news conference.
Volunteers distribute lunch.
John Verhuel picks out shoes and clothes.
Homeless San Diegans pick out clothes.
Sam Hodgson is a freelance photojournalist and contributor to Voice of San Diego. You can contact him at samhodgsonphoto@gmail.com and check out his work on his website.
Disclosure: Voice of San Diego members and supporters may be mentioned or have a stake in the stories we cover. For a complete list of our contributors, click here.