 Hello everyone, it's Bernice here, your Community Outreach Specialist and today I'm out at the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County and I'm just going to meet with Don Anderson who is the Chief Executive Officer and he's going to give us a lot of information about the Coalition and how we can help and any resources that they may have. It's just going to be a really good informative video so sit down, grab a cup of coffee or tea if you're like me and get ready to learn some ways that you can help. Hey everyone, okay so I am with Don Anderson who is the Chief Executive Officer for the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County. So today it's going to be a lot of information thrown at you guys but it's going to be very beneficial because like I always tell you knowledge is power. So we are going to talk about everything that this Coalition does for our county and different resources and how we can help. So, boom. Welcome to the viewers. Hello. Hello everyone. Alright so first of all, start off, tell us what is the Coalition for the Homeless? We're a 501C3 not-for-profit entity and we act as a collaborative partner for HUD and as well as we manage the HMIS system, Homeless Management Information System that we use to track those that are at risk of homelessness and those that are homeless and we're also responsible for what's referred to as the continuum of care. We have 50-80 organizations across the county that somehow are able to impact and influence those that are at risk of homelessness or those that are homeless. So those are the primary functions that we serve as an entity here in Pasco County. Quite a lot. You guys have quite a lot on your plate. It's kind of like an umbrella effect basically. Yes. Or like a, okay. Yes, sort of overarching all of the organizations that are out there supporting and removing barriers for individuals and families to get into housing. I love that. I love that. So we have probably, I shouldn't say probably our most recent estimate for homelessness in the county was about 2,600 individuals. But of course one of the biggest obstacles we face here in Pasco County is that there's a classification of income and families, asset-limited income constrained, employed. And over 50% of our families here in Pasco County fall into that classification where it only takes a medical bill, a car to break down, missing a few days of work, where they're at risk of becoming homeless as well for the lack of affordable housing that we have here in Pasco County. So a lot of challenges. We don't have the shelter system that we really need here. A low barrier single shelter, but we're working to address that. We recently, in conjunction with the Florida Housing Coalition, developed our plan to address homelessness in the county. And the board, we're looking for board approval for that next week. And in doing so, we'll be publishing it, sharing it throughout the county and the community to demonstrate what our plans are and how we can engage those individuals, organizations, entities that can assist us in eradicating homelessness in the county. Which I absolutely love. I really do. So that's on your part. How could any of our local followers, viewers help out if they wanted to? Are they able to do so? Obviously, finances are vital. So there's no better substitute for cash. However, we're in need of volunteers for our point in time count. As the HUD collaborative partner, we're required to do a point in time count of all of the homeless, either sheltered or unsheltered in the county. And we're working on plans right now to do that Tuesday, January 22nd. And we are seeking nearly 400 volunteers across the county to work three, four-hour shifts that will break down into zones throughout the county so that we can identify all those individuals that are homeless. And this is absolutely the single most important thing we'll do as an activity because it's the single best means to bring money into the county to address the homeless situation. So it's vital that we get an accurate count and one that methodologically is secure and can provide confidence to our funders, in particular HUD and the Department of Children and Families, that we can demonstrate the exact number of individuals and families that are homeless in our county. So we're looking for volunteers. There's actually, you can go to our website. Okay, as you say. I'll put that in the description below. Absolutely. And fill out an application. We'll be doing online training with our partner from St. Leo's University. And then we'll be making assignments geographically as well as the three shifts, the three, four-hour shifts. So nothing more important on our calendar right now than the point in time count for January 22nd. I love that. So I will make sure that you guys have all of that information below. Is there an age requirement? Probably just like an 18? Yeah, just I think 18. Yes. Although an individual could bring a teenager interested in the process of doing it with an adult. But yes, it's essential that they be 18 and older. Okay, that's awesome. What else do you... Well, one of the things we do right here at our, this is Pine Street, our Pine Street location, is we have courtesy of our public defender, Bob Dillinger. We actually have portable showers here. I saw a sign for that. Yes. What's the process like for that? Well, individuals can come to our location here. We generally provide services from nine to four. Okay. And if someone is in need of a shower and we have probably, we're averaging probably more than 350 individuals a month. Coming in, we provide them with fresh clean towel, personal toiletries, clean clothes if they need them. And if it's an emergency situation from a food perspective, we'll also provide them several meals. So those are the things that we're doing here. We also do case management. And in addition to that, working with our 50 to 80 COC members, Continuum of Care members, we offer permanent supportive housing funding, rapid rehousing where we can provide first month, last month, security deposit, as well as utility deposits. That's awesome. And then provide case management to track and follow these individuals and families to make sure that they're successful. Support is key. Support is key just to help keep someone on track. Very much so. So when it comes to you guys providing the towels and the toiletries, do you guys take donations for things? We do. Okay. Because I'm thinking like that's, I have a surplus of towels, you know, clean and everything of course. Yes, but towels, we wash them. There's no problem. We'll take any amount of towels. Okay. Okay. And we also take closed donations. Some of the things in particular that we find challenging would be undergarments for both men and women. Okay. So I was thinking, oh, okay. We got socks. Yeah, we got socks covered thanks to local schools as well as another benefactor. And but yes, five, six, five, two on Pine Street. We're just off of a Grand Boulevard via Aspen Street to Pine Street. So they can drop off donations? Yes. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Nine to four would be the best time to drop off donations. Seven days a week? Five days a week. Okay. That's awesome. Is there anything else that you feel like the viewers need to know? Well, I'm reminded by how brisket is today that we also provide cold weather shelter. So when temperatures go below a certain grade, we actually work with our continuum of care partners to provide hotel stays for individuals and families that need to get off the street. I don't know that it's cold enough today, but it's getting close to be cold enough that we'll be doing that. And that's in a, because I know we've posted in the past where there will be like emergency shelters that are open in the county for certain cold weather. And that's in addition to that. Okay. That's awesome. That's awesome. Yes. So keep it in mind guys. So I, you guys, donation blankets? I'm just trying to keep everybody warm. Yeah, we'll accept blankets. Obviously sweatshirts, coats, outer garments. More so. Yeah. Absolutely. You're more practical than the blankets. But that's a great start. And we appreciate anything anyone can bring to us. And you can be assured that it goes to a good use. You guys are doing an incredible work. Well, we've got a long way to go. We've got our challenges. Everything that matters does. We're enjoying the support of the county, Sheriff Naco, the board of county commissioners. We've just been blessed recently with a great deal of support. And it's not always financial or donations, but you know, we appreciate individuals coming out and showing their support. And anyway, they can. But thank you for taking the time to talk to us and giving us all the information. Thank you. And guys, like I said, guys and girls were inclusive. All of the information will be below. I'll make sure that you have it to, and any questions that you may have, whether or not it's for Don, myself, or how you can help ask them, and I'll do the best that I can to get you an answer as soon as possible. But let's make sure we focus on that January 22nd 20-in-time count. It is absolutely vital that we have a sufficient number of volunteers to canvas the entire county. Think about it. You're just walking around counting. Yes. And we'll be working with the sheriff when we go into the camps. We'll be canvassing all the areas where we know that individuals take respite, whether it be the libraries, any number of places. But please, consider volunteering. We'll do the training. It's a great opportunity to make a difference and to understand the plight of the homeless. And it really puts a face on homelessness as well. I go ahead and say that I will be putting in my application this afternoon, everyone. Wonderful. You know I love to help. Thank you so much. Of course, of course. Okay, everyone. So that wraps up today's informational video, informative video, on the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County. So any little thing that you can do to help, you know I would love to see that. So if you haven't already subscribed, like this video. If you thought that, you know, if you connected in any way, shape or form or like this video, if you just want to like this video. But I'll see you next time, guys. Have a great day.