Event vendors provided health, vision and other critical services to county residents in need
For the first time since 2020, United Way of Central Maryland held its Project Connect event in Harford County – now in its sixth iteration – providing residents with goods and services they may not be able to access on their own.
More than 60 vendors and 50 volunteers came out for the April 28 event which attracted nearly 200 people. Some of the services provided included health services, such as eye exams, blood pressure screenings, vaccinations, booster and test kits and mental health services; housing/rental assistance; assistance with IDs and birth certificates; legal services; veterans’ services; substance abuse/addiction resources; haircuts and more.
“This event is exceptional because we’re able to offer critical resources all in one location and at no cost to residents,” said Franklyn Baker, “We find that one of the barriers to access these services is not only the cost, but the fact that people who may already face transportation barriers normally would have to travel to multiple locations to access these services. By having a central location, we can effectively serve a large number of residents in need. We are extremely grateful to the vendors, sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible and are pleased to resume this important program after a pandemic hiatus.”
Some of the vendors in attendance at the event – which took place at EPICENTER in Edgewood – included Sober Family Eye Care and Advanced Eye Care, Harford Bar Foundation, Maryland Legal Aid, UMD Upper Chesapeake Community Outreach, the Harford County Health Department and Harford Community College, among others.
This year’s United Way of Central Maryland Project Connect event was made possible thanks to generous support from Harford County Government, Harford County Health Department, APGFCU, Harford Mutual Insurance Group, EPICENTER, Harford Community Action Agency, Sober Family Eye Care, Volun-Teen, Wegmans, Redner’s, Target, Dunkin’ Donuts and Shop Rite.
United Way of Central Maryland helps the working poor and those in poverty access basic needs like housing, healthcare, jobs, and education. The nonprofit’s programs promote equity, create opportunity, and improve the lives of our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home. For nearly 100 years, United Way has tackled the toughest challenges in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. Learn more at uwcm.org.
