USA Volunteers Provide Hope and Help at Project Homeless Connect
Posted on January 28, 2026
Nearly 400 University of South Alabama students, faculty and staff volunteered 1,908 hours to provide essential services at the 2026 Project Homeless Connect. Resources offered included healthcare services, housing assistance, clothing and laundry, legal aid and personal grooming.
“This is a great opportunity for us at South to get involved and support the homeless community,” said USA Student Government Association President KC Crusoe. “I love and enjoy giving back to my community.”
The USA Office of Community Engagement coordinated the registration for the event's volunteer effort. The annual event is hosted by Hope for All Gulf Coast.
“It’s a pleasure to partner with Hope for All Gulf Coast 2026,” said Dr. Joél Billingsley, vice president of the University’s Office of Community Engagement. “Volunteers from South touched every area on-site, making an impact and providing resources to the clients in need.”
For many students, the event provided a hands-on way to apply their studies to community needs.
“We felt a sense of compassion and fulfillment being able to provide these services,” said Kalya Batlen, an occupational therapy student from Saraland, Alabama.
