Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Fort Worth needs volunteers for for Tarrant County Homeless Count
The Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, in cooperation with the City of Fort Worth and other partners, is conducting its biennial count and survey of the unsheltered homeless in Tarrant County next week.
More than 500 volunteers are needed the night of Jan. 29 to conduct the canvass, part of a nationwide effort.
The information collected that night is used to understand the extent of homelessness in the community and develop plans to address the needs of the homeless like the one the Fort Worth City Council approved last year.
Directions Home, the result of nearly three years of study and planning by the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Homelessness, is a 10-year comprehensive plan to end chronic homelessness. The city has earmarked nearly $3 million to collaborate with other public agencies, the faith-based community and nonprofit groups to implement the plan. Directions Home calls for civic leadership, community action and personal responsibility to save lives and neighborhoods impacted by homelessness.
An estimated 6,000 people experience homelessness each year in Tarrant County— more than eighty percent of those within the Fort Worth city limits.
To ensure an accurate canvass of the homeless, teams of 3-4 volunteers will gather in one of four staging areas at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Teams will be deployed throughout Tarrant County. Volunteers will work until all areas are canvassed.
Training is provided to all volunteers. For more information or to sign-up, visit A Home With Hope or call 817-810-9797 ext 115.
Source: Fort Worth
