SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Convention Center recently hosted the annual Spokane Homeless Connect event, drawing hundreds of people experiencing homelessness. The event provided attendees with hot meals and access to various service providers from across the region.
Participants at the event received essential services, including hygiene supplies, clothing, medical care and even spay and neuter services for their pets. For many, this event offers a crucial connection to stability.
Harley Green, an attendee, shared his experiences with the resources available.
“Insurance, the IDs, the flu shot and everything they have… all the recovery groups,” he said.
Green, who is eight months sober, credited support from the Oxford House for helping him maintain a stable living situation.
“A blanket, they give you clothes, they feed you. That’s a good thing,” Green said.
He emphasized the importance of the event in focusing on recovery.
“People are always talking about the drugs themselves and not the recovery, it’s nice that this place actually talks about recovery and has recovery advocates here,” Green said.
Matthew Frickle, another attendee, expressed his appreciation for the event.
“I’m definitely not starving,” Frickle said, highlighting the value of the connections made in Spokane.
“This is my favorite city in America, I’ve been around,” he added.
Ryan Alexander, another participant, noted the empowering nature of the services offered. “Spokane is, pretty good with that stuff if you’re willing to just work for it. I think Spokane’s pretty good. Where I used to live, it wasn’t quite as helpful,” Alexander said.
He explained how simple services can have a significant impact.
“If I’m in a down phase… getting a hair cut like I am today can help lift me up out of the darkness,” Alexander said.
Green concluded by reflecting on the event’s impact.
“This place really did help a lot. helped me be able to stay warm during the wintertime, not freeze to death, have things to eat and everything else,” Green said.
The Spokane Homeless Connect event continues to be a vital resource for those in need, offering support and services that can lead to positive changes in their lives.
