They filed in, one by one, hoping that maybe this holiday season would be a little brighter. Some spoke English; some did not. A few dragged around all of their belongings; others just a few bags. They were in search of food, a much-needed haircut, medical attention and a warm bed to sleep in. By noon yesterday, more than 150 area homeless had taken advantage of those and many other services at Danbury's 4^th Annual Project Homeless Connect.

      "We're very fortunate here in Danbury," said Mike Finn, the city's Director of Shelter Programs. "We have the most and the best services in the whole state. This event gives the homeless an opportunity to see all the services available to them."

Finn went on to say one thing Danbury needs but doesn't have is a family shelter.

      "We need it and so does the state," he said. "I am seeing foreclosures forcing families outside or into their cars. Most shelters only take women or men. No children."

As a result, the children are often placed elsewhere by the Department of Children and Families, Finn said.

      Sixty-two agencies, from the Veteran's Administration and the Women's Center to the New Milford Shelter and Habitat for Humanity, filled the O'Neill Gymnasium on Western Connecticut State University's mid-town campus with tables and booths to help those in need begin to connect to a better life.

      "I'm going to go to Catholic Charities next and see about maybe getting a car," explained Louise Scalzo. Scalzo, who lost both her job as a factory worker and her home, was hoping that the agencies at the event could help her put her life back together. "I have family, but they don't have the room. I stay here and there. Nobody should be sleeping on the street. We're people, not animals."

      Scalzo was among many waiting for her free eye screening at the Lions Club of Danbury booth. The community service conscious organization provided screenings for distance acuity, glaucoma and macular degeneration to "guests" who attended the event. If a referral was needed, the Lions Club will then send the individual to one of four area agencies for further evaluation.

      "Sight is, if not the most important sense, one of the most important," explained Mike Kallas, a Lions Club member. "Early detection is critical for many eye diseases."

      Project Homeless Connect, a federal initiative, makes it easier for those in need to meet with those in the know. It is, according to Mark Nolan, Chairman of the Danbury Housing Partnership, a  "one-stop shopping" venue for those experiencing great hardship.

      "This is just one of the many steps we take each year to help people," said Mayor Mark Boughton. "It's great to see all of our providers gathered all in one place on the same mission."