Bethesda Cares Looking For Point-In-Time Count Volunteers

A 100,000 Homes volunteer conducts a survey last October with a homeless man sleeping between newspaper boxes at the Bethesda Metro station (file photo)The local nonprofit trying to get the homeless of Bethesda off the streets is looking for volunteers for its annual point-in-time count.

Bethesda Cares does the count each year as a census and survey of homeless persons in Bethesda, Friendship Heights and White Flint/North Bethesda. This year’s count is set for 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursday with a training session from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Outreach teams will leave from Bethesda Cares (7728 Woodmont Ave.) and the training session will cover “hotspot” locations for homeless individuals, safety precautions, approach techniques and logistics.

The surveys help Bethesda Cares organize outreach efforts and helps the nonprofit work with homeless clients to get them into permanent supportive housing programs.

Many of Bethesda’s homeless are medically vulnerable, meaning they suffer from chronic physical and mental problems that come from years of living on the street. Bethesda Cares also provides medical screening services, counseling and clothes at its offices.

Last year, as a result of the annual 100,000 Homes Survey, Councilmembers George Leventhal and Craig Rice introduced a special budget appropriation of $649,325 to immediately place 15 homeless individuals for 18 months in supportive housing.

If you’re interested in volunteering, RSVP to Bethesda Cares Outreach Specialist John Mendez at john[at]bethesdacares[dot]org.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up