Desert Messenger

January 15, 2020 www.DesertMessenger.com 43 The Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count is an annual street and shelter count to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in La Paz County during a given point in time. This count is part of a national effort to identify the extent of homelessness throughout the country. The count includes a brief survey to identify the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the community. Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. (RCBH) coordinates the PIT Count each year for the La Paz Coalition to End Homelessness (La Paz Continuum of Care). RCBH serves as the hub of col- laboration between the Continuum of Care and our local communities. The 2020 PIT Count will be conducted on January 22nd -26th, 2020. The PIT Count is an effort to learn more about the individuals and fami- lies experiencing homelessness in La Paz County. It serves as a one-night snapshot of homelessness in the region. To accomplish community goals and make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness, we need to know who they are, where they are, and understand the factors that led to their homelessness. Every January, volunteers and outreach teams from local communities collaborate to survey and count the number of homeless per- sons in their respective locations. With the information provided by the PIT Count, the La Paz Coalition to End Homelessness and local communities can determine how best to address homelessness. The data gathered in the count can be used to measure progress and advocate for additional resources. Volunteers are needed to survey individuals experiencing homelessness in La Paz County, so they can be provided with programs and services that will best fi t their needs. No prior experience with the Homeless Count is needed! Participating in the homeless count is very rewarding in many ways, and by participating you are assisting your community to bring more needed recourses to the area. Point- In-Time count Volunteer training: A training will be conducted for all volunteers on January 14th from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. at the Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. Parker Offi ce located at 601 W. Riverside Dr. in suite #6 in Parker, AZ 85344. If you are interested in volunteering in this years count, please call (928) 669-4436 Ortensia Yazzie, LPCEH Chair/Program Coordinator for Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. E-mail: oyazzie@rcfbh.org Franklin McCabe, Program Coordinator Assistant for Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. E-mail: fmccabe@rcfbh.org VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! POINT- IN- TIME HOMELESS COUNT LA PAZ COALITION TO CONDUCT ANNUAL COUNT & SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE COUNTY JANUARY 22-26 Come and join the Bouse Hills Muzzle Loaders during our annual black powder Rendezvous February 13-16. The event takes place at the La Paz County Range on Highway 72 just outside of Bouse, between mile markers 29 and 30. A wide variety of competitions take place from Thurs- day morning through Sunday noon. Vendors are set up selling a variety of old fashioned items of that era. A great food vendor will be on site. Par- ticipants are dressed in period cloth- ing from the 1820's through 1840's that depict the era when the Southwest was being settled. Visitors can shoot a black powder rifl e, observe compe- titions in progress, shop and much more. Camping on site available at $5.00 per night. Additional activities each night. For more information, call Phil or Libby at 623-826-5621. Rendezvous planned February 13-16 FREE ADS! 928-916-4235 Here's the small print: Items for sale under $1000. Private Party Only. 1 per month. Yard/Garage/Craft Sales, Wanted, Give-a-ways, Free, Lost & Found. Email: Editor@DesertMessenger.com Desert Messenger

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