ST. THOMAS - Andy, who lives in a tent on St. John, was clearly enjoying the attention as hairstylist Annette Zachman snipped and clipped, working magic with her scissors at Friday's Project Homeless Connect event.

"She used to be my personal hair dresser. I don't let nobody cut my hair but her," said Andy, who asked that his last name not be used in this story. "This haircut is the highlight of my day. I told her she made my week."

Andy was one of about 150 people who showed up for services at Project Homeless Connect - a gathering of nonprofits, service organizations, government agencies and volunteers - on Friday in the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.

From hot food and showers to social services and flu shots, a wide array of services were available at the event. It was aimed at providing both immediate and long-term assistance to people who are homeless, with an eye toward helping them improve their circumstances.

Those who arrived at the center - they were bused in from various spots on St. Thomas and St. John - were greeted at the door, then assigned an escort who took them around to tables scattered throughout the center, where different services were available.

Some signed up for food stamps. Some got ID cards. Dental screenings, eye exams, flu shots and other health screenings were on offer, as well as services and information that could assist someone trying to get back on his feet.

The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John partnered with the V.I. Department of Human Services and other government agencies, nonprofits and businesses to bring off the event.

Andy said he was "working on all the small details - whatever it takes to get me back into society."

Rosary Harper, a retired UVI professor, was a volunteer at Project Homeless Connect. She said she heard about it after the event was held last year - its first year - and decided she wanted to help.

"I see everybody with their bags of clothing - whole families," Harper said. "It's enlightening to see."

A steady stream of people made their way to the massage chairs and a massage table set up to one side of the center. Beth Benta, a massage therapist, said she believes many people who are homeless are starved for touch.

"I think that homeless clientele, as a population, are not being touched. I think the human touch is imperative to survival," she said. "And I think this is an important part of the reconnection into the mainstream. Everything about this day is about bringing these clients back into the mainstream."

Lily Starling, another massage therapist, said she was "honored to be here. I will do it again next year."

Anton Smith, who had just completed a number of health screenings, said that his experience so far had been "excellent."

"People like we out here - it's really a blessing for us who can't afford to get health care," he said. "Thank you everybody for making this possible for us."

Agencies and volunteers who work with the homeless had been promoting Project Homeless Connect for weeks, and people were bused in from as far as Coral Bay for the event. Agencies that normally provide a free noontime meal sent clients - with transportation back and forth - to the Sports and Fitness Center.

Cherise Creque, executive director of the local United Way chapter, said that she was happy that the weather had not kept people - clients or service providers - away.

"It's going exceptionally well," she said. "We're very excited."

Before they left, clients were given a bag full of personal care products and got to choose clothing, shoes and canned goods from a "Give-Away Boutique" set up in a small room at the center.

Sally Medina said she got a haircut and some shoes.

"I didn't need too much, but I got what I needed," she said.

- Contact Joy Blackburn at 774-8772, ext. 303 or e-mail jblackburn@dailynews.vi.