WHEREAS, Homelessness is a painful reality for over twenty-three thousand people in Washington state; and
     WHEREAS, The causes for homelessness range from poverty, mental illness, domestic violence, aging out of the foster care system, and substance abuse; and
     WHEREAS, On any given night there are an estimated two thousand three hundred individuals who are homeless in Snohomish county alone; and
     WHEREAS, February 11th marks the date of housing and homelessness advocacy day for organizations in Snohomish county and across the state of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, In 2009 the Snohomish county homeless policy task force organized the first Project Homeless Connect as part of the ongoing effort to help the homeless; and
     WHEREAS, Project Homeless Connect is a one-day event that provides a central location for those in need to access goods and services; and
     WHEREAS, In 2012, fifty-seven nonprofit, for-profit, and governmental organizations participated in Project Homeless Connect with the help of over five hundred staff and volunteers; and
     WHEREAS, This event served over one thousand two hundred people in 2012 by providing goods and services including housing, dental, medical, vision, haircuts, pet care, clothing, backpacks, hot lunches, bus tickets, veterans, hearing, mental health, legal, employment, and education goods and services; and
     WHEREAS, This event leveraged its six thousand dollar budget into more than two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars of staff and volunteer time and donated goods and services;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize and commend the hard work and contributions made by the people and organizations that make Project Homeless Connect a continued success; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Executive Director of the Housing Consortium of Snohomish county.