Posted 9:34 pm Sunday, January 15, 2012
Homelessness Focus Of PATH Effort
People Attempting to Help will again try to determine the size of the homeless population in the Tyler area.
It is a daunting task.
On Jan. 26, teams of volunteers will go into shelters, parks and alleys. In past years, volunteers have encountered families with young children, young adults and military veterans. Some homeless are just down on their luck and need a job to get back on their feet and in housing. Others have lived on the streets for years.
The volunteers will try to find out what circumstances led those they encounter to become homeless. The goal of the Point in Time Survey is to collect the information needed to determine how many homeless people are in Tyler, where they stay and eat and if and how they are being helped.
It is a daunting task.
On Jan. 26, teams of volunteers will go into shelters, parks and alleys. In past years, volunteers have encountered families with young children, young adults and military veterans. Some homeless are just down on their luck and need a job to get back on their feet and in housing. Others have lived on the streets for years.
The volunteers will try to find out what circumstances led those they encounter to become homeless. The goal of the Point in Time Survey is to collect the information needed to determine how many homeless people are in Tyler, where they stay and eat and if and how they are being helped.
“This important information will be used by nonprofit agencies, schools, local, state, and federal government to address homelessness in Smith County,” says PATH Executive Christina Fulsom in information released earlier.
This year the information year could be more important than ever.
In October, Mayor Barbara Bass formed a task force to take a renewed look at the homeless problem and to come up with strategies to get more people off the streets.
Until now, homelessness primarily has been a concern of nonprofit agencies such as the Salvation Army, which operates a shelter on North Broadway Avenue, and PATH. If the mayor has her way, nonprofits are no longer going to bear the full load.
This year the information year could be more important than ever.
In October, Mayor Barbara Bass formed a task force to take a renewed look at the homeless problem and to come up with strategies to get more people off the streets.
Until now, homelessness primarily has been a concern of nonprofit agencies such as the Salvation Army, which operates a shelter on North Broadway Avenue, and PATH. If the mayor has her way, nonprofits are no longer going to bear the full load.
“The city needs to take a look at this and get a handle on it,” she said in announcing the task force. “It's time for us to look at it as a city and look at housing to see where we need to go as a community.”
If Tyler is determined to tackle this difficult problem, the Point in Time Survey is an important step. It is also a way for many people to get involved.
“Anyone who shares our commitment to helping the homeless of Smith County is encouraged to volunteer,” says Mrs. Fulsom “We will provide you with training on the night of the survey. Every team will be led by an experienced team leader.”
If Tyler is determined to tackle this difficult problem, the Point in Time Survey is an important step. It is also a way for many people to get involved.
“Anyone who shares our commitment to helping the homeless of Smith County is encouraged to volunteer,” says Mrs. Fulsom “We will provide you with training on the night of the survey. Every team will be led by an experienced team leader.”
Volunteers register by filling out information on the PATH website, www.tylerpath.org.
On the afternoon of Jan. 26, the volunteers will meet at the PATH office and then fan out in small teams across the city. Teams will be assigned to a small area.
Last year volunteers counted 243 people, including 51 children. Based on that data, Mrs. Fulsom estimates that on any given night there are about 400 homeless people in Tyler.
Contact Danny Mogle at dmogle@tylerpaper.com or 903-596-6256.
On the afternoon of Jan. 26, the volunteers will meet at the PATH office and then fan out in small teams across the city. Teams will be assigned to a small area.
Last year volunteers counted 243 people, including 51 children. Based on that data, Mrs. Fulsom estimates that on any given night there are about 400 homeless people in Tyler.
Contact Danny Mogle at dmogle@tylerpaper.com or 903-596-6256.
