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Volunteers turn up for homeless count
The homeless coalition has successfully recruited enough volunteers for its upcoming point-in-time count.
Last Friday, over 30 attended the Commonwealth Homeless Coalition’s orientation at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.
The orientation briefed the volunteers on the basics of the count and its purpose. Many of the volunteers who joined the orientation were volunteers from the previous count, but there were also new faces.
According to coalition member Zenie Mafnas, the count opens up doors for the CNMI to further assist individuals who are in need of housing.
The point-in-time count brings the coalition a step closer to achieving their goal, which is to aid in the elimination of homelessness in the next five years.
The Continuum of Care grant that the coalition is aiming for would give the coalition’s lead agency, the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., close to $1 million.
According to Mafnas’ presentation, if the coalition is approved for the COC grant, a huge chunk of the grant would go to the improvement of the Guma Esperansa that doubles as the center that aids the homeless or those at risk of homelessness by giving them an opportunity to regain control of their situation.
According to NMHC environmental officer Jacob Muña, the coalition is still looking for sponsors to donate amenities that will be given out to the homeless during the count, and for volunteers to conduct the count and give out surveys.
Muna said the last homeless count did not give them the result they were hoping for, which was a grant approval, but they are determined to continue the count as an annual event and continue to apply for the grant.
The coalition is a non-profit group under NMHC that aims to lower the number of homeless people in the Marianas.
The count will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, starting at 5am. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided for the volunteers, as well as transportation and gas vouchers.
Interested volunteers and sponsors can contact Muña at 234-7670 or email him at jjmuna@nmhc.gov.mp.
