The Memphis Sports and Events Center was crowded Thursday morning but not with athletes warming up for games or practices. Service providers from around Memphis and Shelby County packed the courts with tables, medical tents and even employment opportunities for Project Homeless Connect.
Community Alliance for the Homeless hosted the annual event after the Point-In-Time Count for unhoused individuals to be provided with services all housed in one space. People who were identified as homeless during the morning count, whether that be in shelter spaces or on the street, were invited to the event to have the option of getting anything from housing to an eye exam.
Before the event opened, Mayor Paul Young gave a welcome speech stating that his administration is committed to aiding those who are experiencing homelessness.
“This is something that I really feel personally, because as some of you may know, I have a brother that is experiencing homelessness in Nashville,” Young said. “I know the woes of a family member that’s trying to help somebody that, you know, is experiencing these conditions that is preventing them from moving down that trajectory.”