Fayette Cares Seeks Volunteers to Aid National Efforts Against Homelessness
Somerville, TN – In an effort to combat homelessness, Fayette Cares is harnessing the power of community action through its annual Point-in-Time Homeless Street Count. This initiative, vital for allocating resources to life-changing programs, requires dozens of volunteers to make the effort possible.
This year’s count, integral to the national effort directed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, requires around 20 volunteers. These individuals will pair up to canvass an area of over 700 miles in Fayette County within a 24-hour window starting at noon on January 23, 2024. The task at hand is to identify and record instances of homelessness, including those of people living in cars, barns, or other sites not meant for human habitation. Volunteers will be provided with training to record the data and make a significant impact on the community and the lives of those struggling with homelessness.
The importance of this count is underlined by recent national data, which revealed a 12 percent increase in homelessness from 2022 to 2023. This stark rise, as reported in the latest Point-in-Time Count, highlights the urgent need for accurate data to direct resources effectively. The information gathered locally contributes to a nationwide snapshot, which is critical in informing Congress and guiding the distribution of resources for combating homelessness.
Data collected through the Point-in-Time count directly influences funding for critical programs like those offered by Fayette Cares. These programs provide a lifeline of support through emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, food, training, and other services. Such resources are essential in helping families overcome the challenges of homelessness and rebuild their lives.
Fayette Cares calls upon community members to step forward and participate in this significant count. By volunteering for this initiative, individuals can play a direct role in addressing the growing challenge of homelessness, both locally and nationally. To volunteer or learn more, contact Pam Rose by e-mail at finance@fayettecares.org or by calling (901) 465-3802, extension 223.
About Fayette Cares: The mission of Fayette Cares is to empower those in need with solutions to end homelessness, break the cycle of domestic violence, and create stability and self-sufficiency from crisis. Fayette Cares has served the Mid-South as a community-supported non-profit organization since 1986 and is a United Way member agency.
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