Hello Everyone,

The one night homeless count takes place in all counties in Oregon during the last full week of January. The homeless count is one of the factors used by Oregon Housing and Community Services to determine the amount of funding a county receives to provide services to homeless people. For the purpose of the count the definition of homeless includes anyone living in places not meant for permanent habitation. So it covers couch surfers, car sleepers, tents, encampments and those staying at shelters, with relatives or in transitional housing. This year the count will take place on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009.

We have a plan to do both the sheltered count and a street count. We have opted to do both due to the inaccuracy of counting only those who are sheltered. The street count will require lots of volunteers and donations. We have set up central locations in several outlying areas and will be sending teams out to some of the local camps. We will be giving out socks, gloves, hats and hygiene products as well as hot food.

We need your help! We are requesting donations of food, socks, gloves and hats in assorted sizes, as well as blankets, tarps, sleeping bags, etc. All donations are tax deductable.

We are also in need of volunteers to help conduct the count, serve food items, etc. The first planning meeting for volunteers will be help next Wednesday, November, 19th, at 9:00am, at Bethany Presbyterian, 748 NW 5th St. For more information call the Homeless Count Coordinator Dancer Davis at UCAN at 492-3528.
Sincerely,
Anna Bernstein
Homeless Youth Advocate
LIFT Street Youth Services

541-218-4594