Point-In-Time count has record number of volunteers assisting in homelessness census effort

January 24, 2020 1:06 PM

Caroline Flynn,

Posted: January 24, 2020 1:06 PM

by Caroline Flynn

SPOKANE, Wash. – Organizers with the City of Spokane said they have never trained more volunteers to help them with the annual Point-In-Time count, where they assist City of Spokane staff in going out in to the community; to shelters and meal sites, to meet with our county’s homeless community to get an accurate census snapshot. The data compiled helps to determine funding amounts to help vulnerable men, women and children.

Many of the 200 volunteers are returning after participating in years past and others are helping for the first time. Some are working with organizations that help the homeless daily in our community. Others felt inspired to participate after hearing the impact volunteers have felt in years passed.

Volunteers help facilitate a survey that includes questions about the persons experience with homelessness. They also give out care bags to the people they interact with. Their efforts started Thursday night at shelters and continued Friday morning at meal sites around Spokane County. For the next week they’ll be volunteering their time to visit additional sites. The Point-In-Time week ends with the Homeless Connect event at the Spokane Convention Center, Thursday January 30. There, homeless men, women and children will meet with community organizations that can help them overcome homelessness.