The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness is hosting its 12th annual Project Connect on Wednesday at the Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill.

Project Connect is a one-day event that connects those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness with a wealth of services that can help them find employment, healthcare and housing.

Orange County Homeless Programs coordinator Corey Root says one thing they worked on this year was simply making the event more enjoyable.

“It’s really meant to be a joyous community event where we’re all there together sharing something to eat and getting things that we need,” says Root.

Nearly 40 organizations participated in Project Connect last year, providing services ranging from mental health and substance use, to clothing and haircuts, which Root says are often overlooked but crucial to obtaining employment.

“A lot of our folks are working on employment, and that’s a big thing, how you’re presenting,” says Root. “You often never get a second chance to make a first impression kind of thing. Having a really neat and tidy hairdo can go a long way.”

To get involved with this year’s Project Connect, visit ocpehnc.com.

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