Donna Howard community connect lending a helping hand

With sub-zero temperatures on the way, non-profit organizations banded together and held the Donna Howard community connect. This community connect was held in the memory of Donna Howard, January 26th at the Damiano Center from 10am-2pm. Howard was an advocate for Homelessness who passed away in July 31st, 2022.

Jaci Christiansen, the Community Engagement Coordinator at Safe Haven Shelter talked more about Community Connect. “We do two community clinics a year. One in October and one in January. And we’ve dedicated to Donna Howard, who is a long term community organizer and volunteer who passed away shortly before that October event. We wanted to honor her memory and her work towards the event.” Christiansen said.

Christiansen also talked more about the Community Connects’ efforts happening. “It’s really just kind of a one day event so we can get as many resources in one spot for folks to be able to have this connection. So versus somebody having to take a bus to get to one location to get a vaccine to another location, to get the housing filled out to another spot, to get one resolution and then maybe not even having access to a haircut, you know, they can come here and get it all done in one day.” Christiansen said. “We do two community clinics a year. One in October and one in January. And we’ve dedicated to Donna Howard, who is a long term community organizer and volunteer who passed away shortly before that October event. We wanted to honor her memory and her work towards the event.”

The community connect is absolutely a team effort. Organizations like CHUM, the Damiano Center, Life House, Loaves & Fishes, Lutheran Social Services, Safe Haven, Salvation Army, and St. Louis County band together to help people get through the winter season.

Christiansen added that there are plenty of ways you can help through donating, volunteering and more. “If you wanted to directly, financially support community connect, try to help provide birth certificates and things like that and they can contact the folks here at the Damiano to tour and contribute directly to this program.” Christiansen said.

You can also donate plenty of items at the Damiano Center, Monday through Wednesday, and Friday from 9am through 3pm. Some of the recommended items to donate are winter clothing, casual clothing and footwear in good condition. You can also donate small appliances that work (toasters, coffee makers, small microwaves, etc.); or other household items (bedding, kitchen wares, towels, etc.). The Damiano Center also accepts quality used items and give everything away for free.

For more information you can look on their website https://www.damianocenter.org/donate

For another story you can read more here https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/the-doors-to-warming-shelters-are-open-and-looking-to-help-people-get-a-warm-nights-rest/