Governor John Hoeven, State of North Dakota
Lt. Governor Jack Dalrymple, State of North Dakota
Mayor John Warford, City of Bismarck
Mayor Tim Helbling, City of Mandan
United States Senator Kent Conrad, North Dakota
United States Senator Byron Dorgan, North Dakota
Major General David Sprynczynatyk, Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard
Major R. Mathis, 439th Engineer Battalion, Army Reserve
Michael Anderson, chairperson, North Dakota Interagency Council on Homelessness
Michael Carbone, executive director, North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People, Inc.
Project Homeless Connect and Central Dakota Veterans Stand Down 2009 event feedback and statistics:
Total number of people served by the event: 476
-- 78 percent had not attended a PHC and CDVSD event previously
-- 18.1 percent had attended a PHC or CDVSD event previously
-- 2.6 percent didn’t know if they had previously attended
-- 54.2 percent of the guests on the day were from Bismarck
-- 11.5 percent from Mandan
-- Other guests attending the event ranged from Lincoln, Carson, McClusky, New Town, Cannon Ball, Center, Glen Ullin, Hebron, Steele, and Outside ND (Minnesota)
-- 75.3 percent of the guests were male; 24.7 percent were female; there were no transsexual or transgendered guests registered.
-- 70.5 percent stated their race as being White
-- 20.7 percent stated their race as being American Indian or Alaska Native
-- 4 percent stated their race as being American Indian or Alaska Native/ White
-- 1.3 percent stated their race as being White/ Other (Hispanic/ Latino)
-- Other guests attending the event stated their race as being American Indian or Alaska Native/ Black or African American; American Indian or Alaska Native/ Other (Hispanic/ Latino); American Indian or Alaska Native/ Other Multi-Racial; Black or African American
Total number of Veterans served by the event: 135
-- 37 percent of Veterans who attended served in a Combat Zone
-- 38 percent Vietnam
-- 20 percent Zone not given
-- 16 percent Korea
-- 14 percent Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom
-- 8 percent Persian Gulf
-- 4 percent South Pacific
-- Military Branch
-- 56 percent of the Veterans served in the Army
-- 18 percent served in the Navy
-- 10 percent served in the Air Force
-- 8 percent served in the National Guard
-- 7 percent served in the Marines
Total number of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness served by the event: 87
-- Number of people currently experiencing homelessness: 56 percent
-- Number of people stated to be at risk of homelessness: 44 percent
-- Number of people stated to be homeless for the first time: 18 percent
Total number of service providers at the PHC and CDVSD event: 46
-- Project Homeless Connect: 31
-- Central Dakota Veterans Stand Down: 15
Our guests, volunteers, and service providers were asked to complete exit surveys from their participation at the event. The following are some of their comments:
What was the most beneficial part of your involvement in PHC and Stand Down?
“Visiting with other vets!” Guest
“One stop shopping, for convenience, and for the cause of human compassion.” Volunteer
“Learning about health care for women.” Guest
“[Getting] Answers to help myself.” Guest
“Knowledgeable exhibits.” Volunteer
“Outreach and services available—all in one place!” Service Provider
“I know people who volunteered and the volunteers were very helpful!” Guest
“Helped me connect to the help I needed.” Guest
“Serving so many individuals at one time.” Service Provider
“Recognition.” Guest
“Food. Haircuts. Friendly people.” Guest
What suggestions would you make to improve participation in PHC and Stand Down?
“To have more help to have Vets and Soldiers avoid homelessness.” Guest
“If more sleeping bags could be donated, that would be helpful.” Volunteer
“[Make this a] Two day event.” Volunteer
“Larger space and more advertising.” Service Provider
Other comments/suggestions:
“More space if it grows in the future. Thanks for everything!” Guest
“I’m glad there is a Coalition trying to end homelessness. Keep up the good work.” Guest
“The experience opened our eyes to how many people Bismarck and Mandan has that are homeless! And also how a small gesture has so much meaning!” Service Provider
“Sleeping bags and blankets were a great hit!” Volunteer
“With all the people attending, I think it went quite smoothly.” Volunteer
