Whether you believe it or not, homelessness could be found right in your own backyard. The Lakeshore Housing Coalition is conducting its next point-in-time count on July 23rd and July 24th from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Door, and Kewaunee counties. The focus is to find people who are unsheltered, whether they are living in a car or out of a backpack in the community. The data collected during point-in-time counts helps the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine how federal housing funds our distributed. Lakeshore CAP Supportive Housing Outreach Coordinator Itzchel Garza says the impact of their point-in-time counts goes deeper than that, especially for the limited people they find in Door and Kewaunee counties. If people are found, they are given hygiene bags with toiletries and other bags so they can clean up and feel better about themselves. It also gives volunteers the opportunity to change a life with their interactions.

There are three outreach routes in Door County and five in Kewaunee County where you can assist in one of two shifts. Click on this link to find out more about the volunteer opportunities and sign up for a shift.