A group of Northwoods volunteers will conduct their semi-annual count of homeless people in this area Wednesday and Thursday.
The Northern Wisconsin Initiative to Stop Homelessness Coalition, known as N*WISH, will take to the streets to count those without adequate shelter, called "Point In Time".
Lori Hallas in Rhinelander talks about how the group does the count...
"....we check places that are open 24 hours as one example. With the cold, people are seeking warm shelter so we see those options. We also check with hospitals to see if they've had any traffic. We check public areas like a parking lot..."
Hallas says they fill go out the night of January 24 into early the next morning. Statewide, other coalitions will be out in their communities to give a clearer picture of homelessness in Wisconsin. The information is compiled statewide then used to help fund local homeless programs.
Hallas says she will also be hosting an education booth....
"...if anyone would like to come, if they have any questions about Point In Time, homelessness, I'm going to be available to answer those questions at Northern Advantage Job Center on Thursday from 12:30 p.m.to 2:00 p.m...."
She says if you know of a homeless person in the region they are encouraged to stop by the Northern Advantage Job Center on Brown Street in downtown Rhinelander to get more information.
The area coalition formed in 2009 to support ending homelessness in Forest, Langlade, Oneida and Vilas counties.
