The Culver City Homelessness Committee is seeking volunteers for the annual Homeless Count, which will take place on Wednesday evening, starting at 8 o’clock.
Culver City’s Homeless Count is being conducted in coordination with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority which, beginning next week, will conduct the Count every year.
“The Count is performed through the efforts of volunteer teams,” says Committee Chair Ira Diamond.
“The Committee will coordinate volunteers on the night of the Count.
“If you come as a team of four, you can go out with your own group.
“Businesses, volunteer clubs, faith-based groups, and families/friends are encouraged to form groups of four and join us. Individuals are also welcome. We will pair them up with others to form a group of four.”
Wednesday’s schedule:
- 8 o’clock — Arrival and registration at the Senior Center, 4095 Overland Ave.
- Refreshments and food items from Culver City vendors.
- 9 o’clock — Brief training for volunteers.
- 9:30-10 — Volunteers are sent to their precinct for the Count.
Midnight — Volunteers return.
The Count is an enumeration of the number of people experiencing homelessness in Culver City.
All cities on the Westside will conduct the Count the same night to avoid duplication of individuals counted in neighboring cities. The numbers generated by the Count are statistically analyzed to estimate the number of homeless in a broader area. Since it is not possible to locate every homeless person, each individual found count as more than one person for purposes of statistical analysis.
Based on the data collected, the County, state and federal government review the results to determine resource allocations to Culver City for housing and homelessness assistance programs.
Valuing the Count
The Homeless Count is critical because it leads to the distribution of resources for those in need by determining the need of each locality.
On the night of the Count, volunteers either walk or drive through their assigned precinct and tally the homeless individuals they observe.
Direct contact with persons observed is not made by Count volunteers. However, based upon Count data, homeless service professionals will be dispatched to assess the situation and offer information and resources.
Further, all volunteers are trained in safety and tallying procedures prior to the Count. Finally, although the schedule l anticipates volunteers concluding the Count around midnight, volunteers tend to return much earlier. The Police Dept. will be participating.
To sign up, go to www.theycountwillyou.org (Culver City is in SPA 5) or email culvercityhomelesscount@aol.com.
For questions, contact Tevis Barnes, Culver City’s Housing Administrator, at 310.253.5782. Volunteers over the age of 18 will be able to deploy. Minors, however, can volunteer with set up and assisting at the Senior Citizen Center. Volunteers are needed to help set up, serve food and drinks, and clean up.
