MADISON COUNTY BOARD
157 N. Main St.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618) 296-6200
Jan. 16, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Project Homeless Connect Links People to Housing, Health Care and Support
EDWARDSVILLE – Community members will come together later this month to support people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Madison County will host its annual Project Homeless Connect from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, bringing individuals and families who are navigating homelessness or a housing crisis together with services, support, and basic necessities all in a single, accessible location.
The event will take place at Riverbend Family Ministries, 144 E. Ferguson Ave. in Wood River. Project Homeless Connect is organized through the Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness, a collaboration of agencies and community members working together to address homelessness and housing instability throughout the county.
The evening before, on Jan. 29, trained volunteers will participate in the annual Point-in-Time Count, a federally required effort to better understand the number of people experiencing homelessness across Madison County. In addition to gathering data, the count also serves as an outreach opportunity, offering information about available resources and support.
“The Point-in-Time Count helps communities understand how many people are experiencing homelessness in each jurisdiction,” Georges said. “That information directly impacts funding for Community Development and local service providers, helping ensure resources are available where they are most needed.”
Project Homeless Connect is intentionally designed to reduce barriers by bringing essential and often difficult-to-access services into one welcoming, low-barrier environment.
Volunteers and service providers will offer food, clothing, haircuts, and connections to substance-use and mental-health counseling, legal assistance, employment support, and other community services. Attendees will also have opportunities to receive flu shots, health screenings, and additional health-care services. The Illinois Secretary of State’s mobile unit will be on site to assist participants with obtaining or replacing state identification cards, an important step toward accessing housing, employment, and health care.
“This event is about meeting people where they are and connecting them with resources that support safety, stability, and long-term housing,” Georges said.
Free transportation to Project Homeless Connect is available. Riders may present a copy of the event flyer to a Madison County Transit bus driver for access to transportation.
For additional information, please contact madisoncountyphc2026@gmail.com
