The next PATH General Meeting will bring community organizations, partners and residents together Tuesday, August 25, for an afternoon focused on local homelessness efforts, community collaboration and opportunities for greater public involvement.
The meeting is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Grants Pass City Council Chambers. PATH’s regular meeting and program will run from 3 to 4:30 p.m., followed by a half-hour networking session from 4:30 to 5 p.m., giving attendees an opportunity to connect directly with community partners and others involved in local outreach and assistance programs.
Leah Swanson, manager of community engagement for AllCare Health, will serve as the featured speaker. The program will also include an update on PATH’s current activities and presentations from community partners about work underway throughout the area. Participating organizations will have an opportunity to share information about their programs while discussing ways agencies, volunteers and residents can better coordinate their efforts.
Homelessness will also be the focus of a round-robin community discussion examining common myths and misconceptions surrounding the issue. Attendees are encouraged to bring ideas and participate in a broader conversation about how factual information, community education and local involvement can help address misconceptions while strengthening cooperation among organizations working with people experiencing homelessness.
PATH is also incorporating a food drive into Tuesday’s gathering. A collection box will be available at the meeting for donations of nonperishable food items benefiting the Josephine County Food Bank. Residents planning to attend may bring food donations for collection during the event.
The meeting is open to people interested in learning more about local homelessness programs, hearing directly from organizations working within the community and discovering opportunities to become involved. PATH is encouraging attendees to invite family members, friends and colleagues who may also be interested in community outreach or supporting local efforts addressing homelessness.
Tuesday’s program combines organizational updates, public discussion, community networking and charitable giving within a two-hour gathering designed to connect residents with the people and organizations working on homelessness-related issues throughout the Grants Pass area.