Volunteers and employees of many human service agencies and organizations in Schuylkill County braved the cold Wednesday night to help the people who have had no where to go this frigid winter.
The one-day count of sheltered and unsheltered people is used to estimate the number of people homeless in the county and identify any similar characteristics among the demographic, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The survey serves as a benchmark for developing local and county-wide strategies to fight homelessness. HUD provides various funding for homeless assistance services to counties who participate in the semi-annual counts.
Schuylkill County does not have a homeless shelter that is designated for everyone. Schuylkill Women in Crisis has a shelter for victims of domestic violence. SWiC and various other agencies in the county also have transitional housing programs that provide temporary residency while helping an individual secure permanent housing.
Participating groups Wednesday included local police forces, veterans services, drug and alcohol, children's services, local churches and aging services. When groups found someone who was homeless or was in use of services, they were offered hotel vouchers and food baskets.
Despite heavy rain for the initial survey last year, about 20 homeless individuals were found.
"I think we will see a lot of evidence that they were there," the Rev. Jeff Colarossi of the United Presbyterian Church in Pottsville, said shortly before they survey started Wednesday.
Colarossi was with a group of several people representing various human service organizations. There were about 10 groups searching throughout the county from 6 p.m. to midnight. The Pottsville Soup Kitchen served as a base site from 6 to 9 p.m. Allied Services in Pottsville then took over the responsibility from 9 p.m. to midnight.
By 7 p.m. Wednesday, Colarossi said his group already met two people and put them up in a hotel. If the group found evidence of a homeless camping site, information was left there explaining where they can get assistance and a place to stay.
Colarossi said the count raises awareness about the issue and puts a face on homelessness in Schuylkill County. It also brings the various agencies together and helps them coordinate their services.
"They're passionate," Colarossi said about the participating agencies. "They believe in it and want to help."
The deadline to submit survey information to HUD is Feb. 12. For more information about the point-in-time homeless count, visit www.hud.gov.
If you know someone who is homeless or may soon become homeless and want to help, you can contact any of the human service agencies involved in the count, such as Service Access Management or NHS Human Services.