ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness and 45 other agencies are seeking volunteers for the first ever tri-county youth census.
Volunteers will gather important information about homeless youth between the ages of 13 and 24 in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Volunteers and the commission will conduct the census Oct. 17 - 19.
The group said the information collected will help policymakers and service provides determine what programs to expand to assist homeless youth.
“As a person who experienced youth homelessness firsthand, I know the challenges that these young people are facing,” Aaron Hill, co-chair of the Commission’s youth committee, said. “It is sleeping in cars, on friends’ couches or even in the woods."
Central Florida Commission on Homeless CEO Shelly Lauten spoke with News 6 Friday ahead of the survey.
“This is our first opportunity in Central Florida to document the size and scope and the issues relating to this population, so we may make sure we have the right services and support they need to move them from crisis to stability,” Lauten said.
The commission is conducting the count along with researchers from Chapin Hall at University of Chicago.