ORLANDO, Fla. — There was a huge effort in Orlando's old Amway Arena Friday, an effort to help the homeless. The number of homeless families increased by more than 30 percent this year. The event was meant to do more than just feed them.
The Amway Arena was packed Friday, not for a concert, more for an orchestrated set of social services. It's called Project Homeless Connect. Forty-five community agencies combined as one to help those in need.
It was apparent at Friday's event that the need is large and is growing.
"On any given night, we have 4,040 homeless in Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties and we only have 2,900 beds," said Cathy Jackson with Project Homeless Connect
The event was also an opportunity to gather data.
"Now we have a great number of people coming into the system who have never been homeless before," Jackson said.
Compared to last year, the total of homeless families with children in the three counties has increased about 30%, from 1,400 to 2,100. The number of homeless people stands at an estimated 10,000 this year.
Trinity Joseph is one of those people who'll be sleeping on Orange County streets Friday night. Earlier in the day, she got her first haircut in more than a year.
"They are really nice people and they are very helpful people," Joseph said.
The event offered meals, clothing, medical attention, job training, and food stamps. Project Homeless Connect also provided IDs, driver's licenses and Social Security cards, because with identification you can get into a shelter.
Some of those who attended have homes for now.
"I'm struggling, but I'm making it. Taking it day by day," unemployed Veronica Bird said.
Bird said she can't pay her bills.
"I hope they help me pay my light bill," she said.
Without it, Bird fears being evicted and on the street by the end of the month.
Project Homeless Connect is an annual event. However, organizers don't yet know where they'll hold next year's event because the old Amway Arena is scheduled to be demolished sometime before then.