On Wednesday, July 25, the Northern Wisconsin Initiative to Stop Homelessness (N*WISH) Continuum of Care will be joining homelessness coalitions/continuums around the state in completing a local count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Staff and volunteers will count persons in shelters as well as persons residing on the streets, underbridges, or similar places not meant for human habitation.

“The Point In Time count is a state-wide initiative, and this is the fifth time we will be counting unsheltered individuals in the Northwoods,” said Lori Hallas, Housing Team Leader for Forward Service Corporation. She explained that teams of individuals will be in Rhinelander, Minocqua, Eagle River, Antigo, and other larger communities to locate individuals sleeping in public places. “This is just once piece in the process of helping identify and assist individuals in crisis,” Hallas concluded.

The collected data will assist the community in understanding the scope and size of local homelessness; engage in programs and service development, and to apply for state and federal funding. This state-wide count occurs twice a year, in January and once in July.

The Northern Wisconsin Initiative to Stop Homelessness (N*WISH) Continuum of Care was established in November, 2009. N*WISH is comprised of various state government and public housing agencies; non-profit and faith-based organizations as well as funding and advocacy groups. This collaborative system exists to increase awareness and acts to promote and support the eradication of homelessness in Forest, Langlade, Oneida and Vilas Counties.

For more information, call Hallas at (715) 365-7842, or Erica Brewster at (715) 365-2750.