San Diego Housing Commission Needs Volunteers For Two Homeless Projects
The San Diego Housing Commission is seeking 230 volunteers to help with two major homeless projects next week.
The “We All Count” census of homeless individuals, which begins — rain or shine — at 4 a.m. Jan. 27, already has 1,500 volunteers, but 100 additional volunteers are needed to count and interview homeless individuals throughout the county. This project is essential for obtaining millions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness in the San Diego region.
The 11th annual Project Homeless Connect – Downtown San Diego, a one-day resource fair that connects homeless individuals with services that address immediate and longer-term needs, needs 130 volunteers. This event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 25 in Golden Hall at the San Diego Concourse, 202 C St, in downtown San Diego.
“By bringing more people in for services, we get a better picture of the individualized need of our homeless population,” said council member Chris Ward, whose district includes Downtown San Diego. That helps connect them to services that can help and guides the design of programs to meet their needs, he said.
Donations of new or gently used clothing and blankets are needed to help homeless individuals brave the cold and wet winter weather, including sweatshirts and hoodies (size large and up), reusable ponchos, small and medium blankets, closed-toe shoes, backpacks and nonprescription reading glasses.
Major organizing partners for these events include the City of San Diego, Father Joe’s Villages, Interfaith Shelter Network and Family Health Centers of San Diego. For more information, visit www.sdhc.org.
