Community connect brings people and resources together

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Anna Reed, Statesman Journal
3:45 p.m. PT March 22, 2016

Medical checkups, dental cleanings, haircuts, bicycle repairs, hot meals and other services were all offered for free on Tuesday in Salem.

Hundreds of homeless and nearly homeless people filled the Salem First Baptist Church on Tuesday for the ninth annual Salem-Keizer Homeless Community Connect event.

The one-day resource fair matches more than 50 service and resource providers with the most underserved people in Salem and Keizer.

“For people who need resources, like housing or food stamps, it can take months to go around and get all the things they need,” Amy Schroeder, an event organizer with Community Action Agency, said. “The transportation alone can be really difficult.”

Vickie Adams, 41, of Salem, is fitted for bottom denturesVickie Adams, 41, of Salem, is fitted for bottom dentures by retired dentist Chuck Zemanek at the ninth annual Salem-Keizer Community Connect providing resources and services to homeless and nearly homeless people at the Salem First Baptist Church in downtown Salem on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 (Photo: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)

Bus rides were offered for free for people needing to get to the fair. And once there, each person was treated to a hot breakfast and lunch.

The volunteer-run event offered free items such as clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, food and other needs. Veterinary checkups, medical care, vision screenings, mending clothes, haircuts and dental care were also offered.

Vickie Adams, 41, of Salem, was able to have a loose dental wire tightened. She was also fitted for dentures to replace her bottom two front teeth. Because Adams doesn’t have a photo ID, she was denied dental care before.

But on Tuesday, both she and her daughter were able to have their teeth fixed and cleaned.

Representatives from the DMV and other public services were also available for people at the Homeless Community Connect.

“This is a one-stop shop for resources,” Schroeder said.

Milo Soto, 56, of Salem, has his hair trimmed by volunteer

Milo Soto, 56, of Salem, has his hair trimmed by volunteer Dawn Bradstreet at the ninth annual Salem-Keizer Community Connect providing resources and services to homeless and nearly homeless people at the Salem First Baptist Church in downtown Salem on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 (Photo: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)

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March 22, 2016

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