Manchester Project Homeless Connect to Provide "One-Stop" Access to Services for the Homeless

MANCHESTER (November 30, 2009) – The Manchester Continuum of Care, Heritage United Way, the City of Manchester, NH Housing and Finance Authority and St. Joseph Cathedral will be hosting Project Homeless Connect on 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at St. Joseph Cathedral; 145 Lowell St.; Manchester. The event will begin with an opening rally. Those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless are encouraged to attend.

The Manchester Continuum of Care, a network of providers in Manchester dedicated to offering quality services to homeless individuals and families, brings this annual day of one-stop access, Project Homeless Connect, to the City. Services will include medical/healthcare screenings and referrals, substance abuse services, employment services and opportunities, shelter and housing resources, domestic violence counseling, mental health services, a hot lunch and warm clothing.

The success of last year’s event and a great need for a productive place for homeless people in Manchester to go during the day has inspired the Manchester Continuum of Care, Heritage United Way, Helping Hands Outreach and the City of Manchester to collaborate and create a permanent Homeless Services Center. This is based on the model of service that Project Homeless Connect provides. The site will be at 142 Central Street and is supported by all members of the Manchester Continuum of Care who will all provide services on a rotating basis each day of the week. The site is slated to open in late January.

Mayor Frank Guinta, who will attend Project Homeless Connect, said that putting resources like this together is crucial in reducing the number of homeless in the city of Manchester. “Project Homeless Connect is the model for other communities, but also the template for a permanent solution to the issues of homelessness,” Guinta said. “The Homeless Service Center is a major facet to reducing the number of homeless, by providing compassion, resources and a means to independence.”

Major funders to date include Citizens Bank, the City of Manchester, Heritage United Way, the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund, Samuel P. Hunt Foundation and the Arthur L. Getz Charitable Trust.

Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Heritage United Way added that more than $200,000 has been pledged so far. “We are happy with the way that the provider organizations, donors, and the City of Manchester have joined forces to create this collaborative opportunity,” Tufts said.

If you or your company would like to make a donation, there are many items needed, such as coats, larger-sized hats and gloves, socks, boots, backpacks, blankets, pens, datebooks, disposable razors, city bus passes, snack foods, flashlights and long underwear. Volunteers are also needed.

Please call Susan Howland at (603) 625-6939, extension 17, for more information, to volunteer with Project Homeless Connect, or to get involved in other ways.

Manchester Economic Development Office Invests $17,000 to Help Local Businesses Improve Their Business and Create Jobs

Façade Improvement Program increases appearance and desirability of Manchester businesses

Manchester, NH – The Manchester Economic Development Office (MEDO) has recently completed four Neighborhood Façade Improvement projects during the third quarter of 2009. The Façade Improvement Program provides grants to local businesses and property owners as part of a city-wide effort to enhance the visual appearance and desirability of Manchester businesses.  Recent local businesses benefiting from the Façade Improvement Program were Normand’s Hair Care, Ignite Restaurant, Manchester Music Hall, and XO on Elm.  The Façade Improvement Program represented a total city investment of $17,000 during the Third Quarter, while business owners contributed $44,598.

Manchester business owners who have taken advantage of the Façade Improvement Program have expressed their appreciation to the city for supporting their business especially during these tough economic times.  They realize the wonderful opportunity these funds provide them to invest in other areas of their business, such as hiring new employees.  Neville Pereira, owner of Ignite Restaurant on Hanover Street, a new restaurant with 25 full-time employees was able to take the money he saved on exterior work to improve the interior design and purchase equipment. “The (façade) program was phenomenal, there are a lot of costs associated with opening a new business and this gave us the opportunity to invest in other areas of the restaurant to help attract customers”.  Joe Lacerda, owner of the Music Mill which recently moved from the Millyard to Elm Street, stated he used the façade grant to construct an awning which helps draw more attention to his business and also purchase tinted glass which will help protect his equipment and merchandise.  Joe went on to add, “The money helped my business create a better exterior and get more people in the door, which is what it’s all about”.   

 “The value of the Façade Improvement Program is that it allows the city to support a wide variety of businesses to make improvements that create jobs while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of downtown Manchester and the surrounding areas” said Jay Minkarah, director of economic development for the City of Manchester.  Nine additional Façade Improvement projects are currently underway including improvements for Karma Lounge on Elm Street and Alley Cat Pizza. 

The Façade Improvement Program is funded by a Community Development Block Grant provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Grants are made available to property owners and small businesses with less than 25 employees located in downtown Manchester and other designated areas for visible exterior improvements and signage.  Grants are awarded on a one to one matching basis in amounts up to $5,000 per building or $3,500 per retail space.

For more information about the Neighborhood Façade Improvement Program, visit MEDO online at www.YourManchesterNH.com or call 603-624-6505.

 

Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta's public schedule (November 28-December 6, 2009)

Monday, November 30, 2009

5:00 p.m. – MCTV/MCAM Task Force meeting; Aldermanic Chambers; One City Hall Plaza; Manchester

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

6:00 p.m. – Easter Seals annual dinner; Radisson Hotel at the Center of New Hampshire; 700 Elm St.; Manchester 

7:00 p.m. – Regular meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen; Aldermanic Chambers; One City Hall Plaza; Manchester

Thursday, December 3, 2009

9:30 a.m. – Project Homeless Connect; St. Joseph’s Cathedral; 145 Lowell St.; Manchester

Saturday, December 5, 2009

4:00 p.m. – Spirit of the Season Christmas Parade; Elm Street; Manchester

Please contact Mark Laliberte at (603) 624-6500 or mlaliberte@manchesternh.gov for more information about any of these events.

Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta's public schedule (November 21-29, 2009)

Saturday, November 21, 2009

6:00 p.m. – New Hampshire Baseball Dinner; Radisson Hotel at the Center of New Hampshire; 700 Elm St.; Manchester

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

7:00 a.m. – New Horizons breakfast; Radisson Hotel at the Center of New Hampshire; 700 Elm St.; Manchester

9:30 a.m. – Toys for Tots kick-off event; Mall of New Hampshire (center court); 1500 South Willow St.; Manchester

7:00 p.m. – Regular meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen; Aldermanic Chambers; One City Hall Plaza; Manchester

Thursday, November 26, 2009 – THANKSGIVING (CITY OFFICES CLOSED)

Friday, November 27, 2009

6:00 p.m. – Christmas tree lighting; Massabesic Traffic Circle (Candia Road and Londonderry Turnpike); Manchester

Please contact Mark Laliberte at (603) 624-6500 or mlaliberte@manchesternh.gov for more information about any of these events.

Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta's Public Schedule (November 14-22, 2009)

Monday, November 16, 2009

12:00 p.m. – American Red Cross-New England Blood Services blood drive (sponsored by the City of Manchester); 1000 Elm St.; Manchester

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

5:30 p.m. – Boynton’s Tap Room ribbon-cutting; 155 Dow St. (third floor); Manchester

Friday, November 20, 2009

7:30 a.m. – Veterans Count breakfast; C.R. Sparks; 18 Kilton Road; Bedford

12:00 p.m. – New Hampshire Union Leader 50th Annual Santa Fund Luncheon; Radisson Hotel at the Center of New Hampshire; 700 Elm St.; Manchester

Saturday, November 21, 2009

6:00 p.m. – New Hampshire Baseball Dinner; Radisson Hotel at the Center of New Hampshire; 700 Elm St.; Manchester

Please contact Mark Laliberte at (603) 624-6500 or mlaliberte@manchesternh.gov for more information about any of these events.