The Bay Area is no stranger to homelessness. Many people suffering and in need of services have a hard time getting help to improve their situations. To help remedy the situation a Resource Fair will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Mosswood Park Recreation Center, 3612 Webster St., in Oakland. (The site is three blocks from McArthur BART and along AC Transit lines 51A and 57.
The fair is supported by Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency (BOSS) in cooperation with many other groups, including East Bay Homeless Connect. 
This event will bring as many services together in one place as possible. The goal is to help the homeless, especially those who may not avail themselves of services that they are entitled to. 
It will feature free medical, dental and vision screenings; free food, art, music and clothing; free one-time hotel vouchers (first come-first served) as well as referrals to resources including education, employment, legal services and more. 
Having all these resources together is designed to make it easier for the homeless to access them and to find out what is available. According to BOSS Grants and Individual Giving Manager Christine Lias, “It is meant to be a one-stop shop.”

Some of the organizations offering services will be Berkeley Acupuncture and Detox Clinic, Swords to Plowshares, Suitcase Clinic, Bay Area Legal Aid, BOSS housing Services, and BOSS Career Training and Employment Center (CTEC). Because this is the first event of its kind in Oakland no one is sure how many participants will attend. 
Organizers are hoping that there will be a 1 to 1 ratio of homeless to volunteers. A large group of volunteers from Albany High School who helped BOSS organize the event will be on hand.
Although Homeless Connect events have been held successfully in other cities, this will be the first in Oakland. The budget for the Homeless Connect was only about $6,000. If you would like to help with the costs of this event a Go Fund Me Page has been set up at http://www.gofundme.com/5axx9qbu.

Homeless Shelter Contact Info

East Oakland Community Project (must have a referral): 510–532–3211
Emergency Shelter Program: 510–786–1246
Fesco (children and families): 510–581–3223
Bay Area Rescue Mission (single women and families): 510–215–4860
Salvation Army: 510–437–9437
Salvation Army “Garden Street Shelter” (families): (510) 437–9437.
Second Chance (women, families, men 18+; phone at 8 a.m.): 510–792–4357
Shepard’s Gate: 925–449–0163
Bay Area Rescue Mission (men; first come, first serve basis): 510–215–4868
For more information, contact Indra Thadani at 510–464–3516.