Westwood Connect event provides much-needed services.
By Staff Writer
On April 24, Westwood came together to provide support to individuals in the community experiencing homelessnesses.
Westwood Connect Day, took place at the Westwood Recreation Center, and included over 40 nonprofit organizations offering free services to homeless individuals in need. Resources available at the event, which was the first of its kind in Westwood, included food, haircuts, showers and clothing.
Connect Days are community events that bring service providers, community partners, governmental agencies and dedicated volunteers together so that individuals experiencing homelessness can be connected to an array of services simultaneously
The event, which connected 140 people, was co-sponsored by several local government groups and officials, including Mayor Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Councilman Mike Bonin, State Senator Ben Allen, Councilmember Paul Koretz, the North Westwood Council and the Westwood Village Improvement Association.
Birth certificates and library cards were also available to attendees, in addition to professional attire; things that are essential for individuals looking to enter or reenter the workforce.
Organizations like Empowered Gifts, who look to empower women and girls through career assistance and handbags, and Operation Blankets of Love, who provide leasehs and pet supplies to homeless individuals, were in attendance at the event as well.
The Westwood Neighborhood Council and the North Westwood Neighborhood Council jointly paired up to coordinate the event
