Politics & Government

County Seeks Volunteers for Homeless Count

You can help provide services for homeless adults and children by being a volunteer driver and counter for the 2013 Contra Costa County homeless count.

The Contra Costa Health Services Department is seeking volunteers to help with the county's bi-annual homeless count.

Funding for homeless programs is determined every two years in part by a point-in-time count of unsheltered homeless living the county.

The count also provides a baseline for historical data and gives service providers a better understanding for shaping more effective responses, according to Health Services.

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The count takes place on Jan. 30.

"This is a massive effort requiring hundreds of caring volunteers who are willing to donate 3-4 hours of their time, but the rewards are many," says a flier for the effort.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"A four-hour investment of your time next month could mean a LIFETIME of difference to a homeless family living on the streets in cold and rainy weather!" the flier adds.

"Volunteers are needed from East, West and Central County, and must be at least 18 years old," according to an announcement from Health Services. "Volunteers are required to attend a one-hour training session one week before the count."

On the day of the count, volunteers "will meet at 6 a.m. for a 30-minute
orientation before fanning out across the county in cars to tally homeless persons," the announcement says.

Those who wish to volunteer can email homelessprogram@hsd.cccounty.us, fill out an online form at http://cchealth.org/services/homeless/ or call 925-313-6124.

Volunteers can sign up also by filling out and submitting the Volunteer Information Form found on the second page of the attached pdf file, which also includes the flier for the program.


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