PRESS RELEASE
Region 6 Civic Leaders, Residents Invited to
Homeless Awareness Event Nov. 9
JAMESTOWN, N.D. – November 3, 2010 – Government officials, city council members, police officers and other key public figures in the nine-county area of Region 6 are expected to attend a homeless awareness event Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Jamestown Salvation Army, 320 1st Ave. N.
Jamestown residents are encouraged to attend the event, which will feature free soup and bread, a short video about local homeless issues and several guest speakers, including Michael Carbone, executive director of the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People.
Homelessness is rising in North Dakota, ironically, because of the state’s low unemployment rate. Many out-of-state residents drop everything and come looking for work, only to find they are over- or under-qualified for available jobs. Often, they end up homeless.
“Many people in Region 6 are not involved in homeless outreach because they do not realize we have a problem,” said Lt. Mitch Brecto, administrator of the Jamestown Salvation Army. “But we do have a problem. And as more and more people move to North Dakota looking for jobs, the situation could get worse. Our homeless awareness event on Nov. 9 is a great way to raise awareness and educate the public about serious community issues going unnoticed.”
Region 6 includes the counties of Wells, Foster, Griggs, Stutsman, Barnes, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh and Dickey. For more information about this event, call the Jamestown Salvation Army at 701-252-0290.
The Salvation Army Northern Division has been serving Minnesota and North Dakota communities since 1886. Today the Northern Division includes operation centers in dozens of cities across both states. These centers provide food, shelter, spiritual enrichment and more to about 500,000 people a year. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a donation, please call 651-746-3400 or toll free at 800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113.
