Jersey City's annual homeless count takes place Wednesday

Counting the number of homeless people in Jersey City will help City Officials understand what it will take to help those in need.

In addition to performing the count, there will also be clothing & food distribution, dental and medical services & HIV/AIDs testing. Other Non-profit groups that specialize in connecting homeless peopl...e to job programs will also be present.

Help volunteer if you can!


Monday, January 24, 2011
By BRETT WILSHE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Last year, Hudson County's one-day homeless count tallied 1,779 individuals.

This year, Hudson County Division of Community Development's annual Point in Time Homeless Count takes place Wednesday on the streets and in the gymnasium of the former YMCA building on Bergen Avenue in Jersey City.

The event, in which both sheltered and unsheltered homeless are counted, serves many functions, according to Joanne Smith, a volunteer organizer with the Hudson County Alliance to End Homelessness.

Services provided during the day include clothing and food distribution, dental and medical attention, HIV/AIDs testing, and the availability of non-profit groups that specialize in connecting homeless people to job programs.

"Just counting people seems so hollow, this is a way to actually accomplish something and hook people up with services," Smith said.

According to Susan Milan, a coordinator with the alliance, the count will be handled in two phases.

During the day, volunteers will count homeless people who show up to the gym at 654 Bergen Ave. between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Milan said.

Later in the evening, trained volunteers will take to the streets to count homeless people they find, she said, noting volunteers will be given identification information to prevent double counting.

To volunteer with the alliance or for more information, contact Joanne Smith at homeless.count.hudson@gmail.com.