The Ventura County Homeless and Housing Coalition needs your help to complete the bi-annual homeless count to take place in Ventura County on January 26, 2010.

The count is a requirement for every community that receives federal funding from HUD.  In Ventura County, local groups lead the effort in each of the 10 cities. HUD funding is extremely important in the effort to end homelessness and accounts for $2 million annually to support homeless individuals and families in Ventura County.  Volunteers will work in teams and will receive advance training in recording the count. The teams go out in the early morning, during the day, and in the evening to places where homeless persons are known to gather. Most counters are in the field for a couple of hours at a time and must be at least 18 years old.  Training will be provided online and in live sessions in January.

Because we need to cover so much territory and so many hours, we need a large number of volunteers. Won’t you consider joining us for this enormously powerful cause? Sign up below for the location of your choice. During the registration process, you will be asked to include your time preference(s).  For more information contact Cathy Brudnicki at cathy@vchhc.org or 805-485-6288 x273.

We have about ½ the volunteers we need at this point, with the count in just 2 weeks.

I know many folks will volunteer during the last few days, but training will be held next week. I expect to put the schedule out tonight or tomorrow for in person training at sites around the County.

Please consider joining us, or pass this on to a friend who might. Sign up at: www.VolunteerVenturaCounty.org

Thank you!

Cathy Brudnicki