(Miami, FL)- The City of Miami, with the help from the Homeless Assistance Program is joining forces with Miami Rescue Mission, partners, community sponsors and volunteers, to celebrate Miami Cares III on Thursday, December 13, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Miami Rescue Mission NW First Avenue between 20th and 21st Streets.

For the third year in a row, Miami Cares Day has been observed in an effort to provide services to hundreds of homeless individuals with the goal of engaging them in the continuum of care and helping eliminate homelessness in the city. In one day, hundreds of volunteers, community sponsors and partners join in efforts and expertise to assist these individuals that are often forgotten.

By taking part in Miami Cares III, volunteers have the opportunity to participate in an event that will help fight one of the most serious problems affecting Miami.  Last year, 468 homeless individuals utilized the services provided by the sponsors. Among services that will be provided again this year are: free long distance calls to family members abroad, relocation opportunities for individuals who would like to be reunited with family, legal services for those with immigration concerns, ID creation, medical and health care services such as flu shots and HIV/AIDS rapid testing, and more. Along with short-tern services, there will also be organizations that provide long-term substance abuse treatment and opportunities for being involved in the continuum of care and self sufficiency.

Miami Cares III is sponsored by the City of Miami Homeless Assistance Program, City of Miami NET, Miami Rescue Mission, Miami Dade Homeless Trust, Miami Coalition for the Homeless, Inc., National Project Homeless Connect, among others.

For more information or to volunteer, please call 305-576-9900 or visit www.miamigov.com.

WHO:  City of Miami Officials, City of Miami Homeless Assistance Program, Miami Rescue Mission, volunteers, community sponsors and partners.

WHAT: Miami Cares Day III kick off event services. 
Services to be provided to homeless individuals include: free long distance calls to family members nationwide; family reunification; legal services for those with immigration concerns as well as other legal issues; ID creation; medical and health care services such as HIV/AIDS rapid testing; and much more. Along with short-term services, like shelter, there will also be organizations that provide long-term substance abuse and mental health treatment as well as opportunities for participating in the continuum of care system of services for homeless individuals and families. 

WHEN: Thursday, December 13, 2007
9:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Services to homeless individuals will provided by volunteers.

WHERE:  Miami Rescue Mission
NW First Avenue between 20th and 21st Streets

ABOUT MIAMI CARES: Miami Cares is an ambitious effort to provide services to hundreds of homeless individuals with the goal of engaging them in the continuum of care and help break the cycle of chronic homelessness in the city. Miami Cares is different in that it allows the homeless individual to provide his or her own diagnosis of needs.  By allowing people to make their own decisions, it is the hope of the City of Miami to connect with homeless persons that may be resistant to accepting services.

Miami Cares is modeled after the City of San Francisco’s highly effective Project Homeless Connect, which has reduced their street population by 30% in one year.  Miami Cares Day is celebrated around the National Homeless Connect Day (www.sfconnect.org) a project whose purpose is to assist homeless individuals in the hopes that they will accept the resources that will prepare them to be self-sufficient.   Over twenty other cities nationwide are participating in National Project Homeless Connect Day.

CONTACT: For more information or to volunteer call 305-576-9900 or visit www.miamigov.com.