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WHAT IS THE SPOKANE HOMELESS CONNECT?
The annual Spokane Homeless Connect (aka "the Connect") is Eastern Washington's largest and longest running homeless and at-risk services event. The Connect takes place in the Spokane Convention Center and brings together providers from veteran services and warrant quashing to hot meals and showers to on-site haircuts and more.
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Thanks to generous donations and hardworking volunteers, all services are 100% free to all attendees. Our team is beyond grateful of the number of services that show up at the Connect every year to help make a difference in the lives of those in need.
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Visit the links below to become a Connect Sponsor, Volunteer, or Vendor. Thank you!
Note: Registrations for the 2024 Spokane Homeless Connect have ended. Current registrations are for the Spokane Valley Connect.
SPOKANE VALLEY CONNECT
Modeled after the Spokane Homeless Connect, in 2018 the Spokane Valley Connect was born. With more of a focus on providing resources to homeless and at-risk children & families, this free community services event offers an afternoon of one-stop shopping for a wide variety of needs.
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The Spokane Valley Connect was prompted by statistics indicating the need for improved resources in the greater Spokane Valley. In 2016, the City of Spokane Valley and its various school districts educated 21,678 students. Of those students, 9,366 (42%) received free or reduced lunches due to their family income level. Over 800 students were identified as experiencing homelessness, and children experiencing hunger and homelessness struggle to learn and keep up with their classmates. The veteran and elderly populations are also struggling. The Spokane County 2017 Point-in-Time (PIT) count showed a 13% increase from 2016 for unsheltered veterans. In addition, 8.9% of the area’s elderly were living below state and federal poverty guidelines.
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As the goal of both events is to empower attendees to quickly and easily access a wide variety of community resources, the events were officially brought under the same "Connect" umbrella in 2022. All resources that go toward the Spokane Homeless Connect are in turn shared with the Spokane Valley Connect.