Join us for the November installment of Community Connections with The United Way on WTIC 1080AM.

November brings many people home for the holidays, but what about the individuals that do not have a place to call home? Senior Vice President of Marketing and Development at United Way Maura Cook explains how the United Way’s Rapid Response is helping the homelessness crisis we are facing here in Connecticut.

Homelessness in the area has risen by 13%. Cook explains the goals of rapid response are to help individuals find a home and keep it as well.

Cook is joined by Matt Morgan, the Co-chair of the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network as well as the Executive Director of Journey Home.

Morgan echoes the need that individuals are facing and the cold temperatures are making the situation dire. With the emergency shelter system clogged and having a quarter of the assistance programs needed, many families are not able to receive that helping hand.

However, Morgan does mention some promising news. He explains they are working to expand the amount of warming shelters so more people have access to them.

Cook is also joined by Stephanie Boyce, Director of Homeless Prevention and Outreach at Hands on Hartford.

Boyce explains the need she has seen with the families she works with. The main issues she is seeing are homelessness and food insecurity.

Their Homeless Outreach Project is working with about 120 individuals who have no choice but to sleep outside or in their car.

In November 2022 Hands on Hartford had 550 families come to their pantry. Just last month 1,042 families were served through the pantry.

To donate to the Rapid Response campaign or to learn more about it, please go to: https://unitedwayinc.org/rapid-response/

To learn more about the Coordinated Access Network, go to: https://cceh.org/coordinated-access/

To learn more about Hands on Hartford, go to: https://handsonhartford.org/

To get involved and help those who are less fortunate, or if you or someone you love are in need of assistance, please head to: unitedwayinc.org/volunteer or call 211.