City College program for homeless and at-risk students

Recently, I introduced Dariush Kahyan, the Mayor's Homeless Policy Director, to the HARTS Program at City College (Homeless/At-Risk Transitional Students). I was surprised to find that there had been no formal connection between Project Homeless Connect, the nonprofit where Dariush used to work, and HARTS.

In fact, when I looked tonight the orientation flyer for volunteers that is posted on the SFConnect website, there still is no mention about an educational program that could greatly benefit San Francisco's homeless population as well as those at-risk of becoming homeless or returning to homelessness:

Project Homeless Connect – Orientation

"Because each client is unique and the combination of services that they need is different, their individual needs will dictate exactly how they move through the Service Stations.

The list of services provided is growing and includes the following and more:

• Medical Care, Dental, HIV and TB Testing, Needle Exchange
• Benefits (CAAP, GA, SSI, Food Stamps)
• Behavioral Health (Mental Health & Substance Abuse Counseling and Treatment, methadone)
• Housing Information and Shelter Reservation –7 day stay
• Veterans Assistance
• Family Services and Senior Services
• DMV Ids
• Free phone calls and voice mail
• Employment Services
• Free vision care and eyeglasses
• Domestic Violence Counseling
• Legal Assistance
• Discharge Planning
• Lunch, Activities & Giveaways
• Flu Shots and Hair cuts"

I understand that there have been some preliminary conversations between the City and City College. I am going to continue to push for the type of collaboration that would enable HARTS to serve a broader range of students than they can now with their limited resources.

For further information about HARTS, please go to:

http://www.ccsf.edu/Resources/Harts/index.htm