Preparations for the Point in Time Homeless Count are well underway in Prince George.
Training sessions with the 40-50 volunteers who will be hitting the streets this week took place this week.
Assistant Count Coordinator Ashley Thandi says it’s all become quite the undertaking.
“It’s definitely been a lot more than expected, but we knew that from the beginning going in. It’s really hard with this kind of thing to plan everything ahead of time, which is what we thought we could do, but with certain aspects we’ve been learning along the way as we go.”
Volunteers will be sourcing demographic data and social history from people living on the streets.
“We will ask how they became homeless, how old they were when they first became homeless. Very personal questions about their situation.” Count Organizer Kerry Pateman said
“In my experience, and what I’ve heard from other directors, is that people are generally willing to tell their story, they want to see changes.”
The count will be headquartered at the Advocacy for Women and Children Centre. Several other agencies in Prince George are also contributing either volunteers or their facilities to help blanket the city.
It all takes place April 18-19th.
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