Macomb County is rallying volunteers to support the annual Point-in-Time Count, an effort to gather valuable data on the local homeless population. Macomb Community Action is behind the call-to-action, set for the evening of January 24, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. As part of a nationwide mandate by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this data collection is vital for understanding and aiding those often pushed to the fringes of society.
In a statement obtained by Macomb County's official site, County Executive Mark Hackel said, "We're asking our community to come together for this important event. It's a challenging job, but it's essential and it provides support to individuals in our society that sometimes get left behind. I hope we can unite around this cause." Volunteers will need to carefully collect demographic information, ensuring to properly complete the required forms to accurately reflect the count.
This initiative requires volunteers to interact with the homeless population directly, providing not only essential data but also distributing bags filled with items such as winter accessories and hygiene products. According to details shared on The Macomb Daily, these giveaway bags are part of the care the volunteers will offer, alongside resource sheets offering information on shelters and health care services.
For those ready to answer the call, Macomb Community Action requires completion of a registration form and attendance at a volunteer training session. Interested individuals will find the form necessary for sign-up at a given Google Docs link. Additionally, community members who are not able to physically volunteer but still wish to make a difference can contribute by donating items for the giveaway bags. Requests for donations include blankets, hats, gloves, and other necessities designed to help ease the burden of those weathering the harsh realities of homelessness during winter.
Every volunteer, each donated item, contributes significantly to this annual snapshot that aims to better understand, and ultimately serve, the homeless community of Macomb County. For more information or to learn how to get involved, individuals are encouraged to reach out to Kristin DeFranco through the email provided in the call for volunteers, or by visiting Macomb Community Action's website.
