Our VISION
To ensure every community member of Santa Cruz County receives equal access to care. To provide an opportunity for SCC to come together at these biannual events in a compassionate and supportive way, unique to the needs of our individuals and families.
Our Mission
To serve community members of Santa Cruz County in need of services and provider care all in one place, overcoming the very obstacles and access to quality of care that is often an issue in the progression and solutions for those in need (including, but not limited to homelessness).
“It’s so exciting. I really love what happens here [at Connect events]. Lives change.”
What We've Achieved
For the past 10 years, we have connected thousands of individuals in our own community with services they need.
Thanks to community volunteers and donations, this event has remained free for our clients.
We have become part of the larger event-based community (Project Homeless Connect), which exists in 220 cities across three different countries.
Our History
Project Connect Santa Cruz County (SCC), formerly Project Homeless Connect (PHC) originated in San Francisco in 2004 when Mayor Gavin Newsome challenged his county workers to create a better system of care for the homeless community. The one-day service model they created proved extremely effective, and since its inception Project Homeless Connect has spread to more than 220 cities in three different countries.
The federal government’s Interagency Council on Homelessness has declared Project Homeless Connect a national best practice model and in May of 2009, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Sean Donovan expressed interest in showcasing Project Homeless Connect as a best practice for national service as part of the recently signed Service Act.
In order to provide an integrated system of care Project Connect focuses on each aspect of homelessness, providing everything from California identification and disability benefits to clean socks and a warm meal. Hundreds of individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies provide Santa Cruz Connect and its clients with services such as dental care, eyeglasses, family support, food, HIV testing, housing, hygiene products, medical care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, SSI benefits, legal advice, California identification cards, voice mail, employment counseling, job placement, wheelchair repair, veterinary services, and more.