Suncoast Partnership seeking volunteers to assist with 2018 Point-in-Time census of homeless people

Count to be conducted on the night of Jan. 29

A graphic on the website of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness underscores its mission. Image from the website

The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness needs the help of community residents “to reach out to our homeless citizens and find out what their needs and issues are,” the nonprofit has announced.

Each year, the Partnership is charged with conducting the Point-in-Time census of homeless individuals in Sarasota and Manatee counties as part of a national initiative. The census is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD). The next census will be taken on the night of Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, a news release says. Volunteers are needed to assist in three ways, the release adds:

  • Assembling give-away items.
  • Conducting the census.
  • Entering into a database information about the individuals with whom the volunteers speak.

The Suncoast Partnership also is accepting donations so it can purchase items such as food, socks and toiletries to give to people during the census.

The survey information collected will give leaders of the community information on the status of homelessness, and it “will provide decision-makers with valuable data that will inform funding,” the release points out.

Training of the volunteers who handle the census is mandatory, the release says. The following are dates and locations for those interested in training:

  • Jan. 11, 2018 at 2 p.m.: Manatee Community Foundation, located at 2820 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton.
  • Jan. 17, 2018 at 9 a.m.: Goodwill Manasota, located at 2705 51st Ave. E. in Bradenton.
  • Jan. 17, 2018 at 2 p.m.: Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, located at 1750 17th St. in Sarasota.
  • Jan. 18, 2018 at 9 a.m.: Goodwill Manasota.
  • Jan. 19, 2018 at 10 a.m.: The Salvation Army of Venice, located at 1051 Albee Farm Road in Venice.

For more information, contact Aimee Barth at the Suncoast Partnership: Amiee@suncoastpartnership.org or 955-8987, Ext. 103.