Bill lost his job a few months ago and was struggling to find another, so he went to Weld Project Connect hoping that he could get help with his résumé. When he arrived, he was quickly paired with a navigator who helped him look at the list of services offered and pick which stations he was interested in stopping at.
In addition to résumé help, Bill was able to get his flu shot, license his dog, and get his credit report all at no cost while he was there, and left with hope for his future.
challenges
Weld County has an overall poverty level of 8% (over 25,000 people); much of the poverty is concentrated in Greeley and Evans, with one in four people living in poverty in the eastern part of Greeley. With a record low housing vacancy rate, rental rates are increasing, leaving little to no housing for low income residents. Many households live paycheck-to-paycheck, and a single event can easily push them over the edge to homelessness.
For the majority of households, one unexpected cost could be all it takes to send them into economic distress…
- 75% of people in households making less than $50,000 a year would have difficulty coming up with $1,000 to cover an unexpected bill.
- 67% of people with household incomes between $50,000 and $100,000 would have trouble.
- Even for the country’s wealthiest 20%—households making more than $100,000 a year—38% say they would have at least some difficulty coming up with $1,000.
Weld Project Connect is a one-day event providing on-site health and human care services to adults and families who are in need due to household and financial insecurity, job loss, health problems and other critical life issues.
Investments
Weld Project Connect (WPC) is a one-day event providing on-site health and human care services to adults and families who are in need due to household and financial insecurity, job loss, health problems and other critical life issues. While creating a welcoming environment providing actual services rather than just referrals or information, WPC hosts over 70 free services such as health screenings and medical services, immunizations, citizenship class registration, library card issuance, pet licensing, credit reports, job referrals, résumé writing assistance, podiatry services, legal counseling, documentation assistance, mental health counseling, veterans assistance, haircuts, food stamp enrollment, personal care, early child development insight and much more.
Services vary annually based on current trends, needs identified and new programmatic initiatives. By offering all of these services in one location, people can obtain assistance quickly, at no cost and with less stress than if visiting various offices separately. Plus, during the event many guests connect with longer term care and resourcing opportunities that for months afterwards help them address health and livelihood challenges.
“I was hesitant in coming in, but I really needed the help. I got here and I was amazed at the organization and the way it went, and all the services they gave. I came here depressed and I’m leaving with a smile on my face. And my navigator…he was wonderful. He got me through so many things. If I had been here on my own, I probably would have gotten a little frustrated and left, but it was wonderful. It was great.”
Weld Project Connect guest
Get Help
- Weld Project Connect will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Island Grove. The event will be from 12 – 5:30 p.m.
