For 15 years, Clementina Verjan has run the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's annual point-in-time count.
The hand-drawn thermometer on the wall had just jumped to 7,100, assuring everyone in the command center that this year’s homeless count would have enough volunteers. But for Clementina Verjan, in charge of every count since the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority began conducting them in 2005, that didn’t mean all was well.
It was 15 years ago when 250 paid workers and 750 volunteers scoured a sample of the county’s census tracts. Verjan had retained a consulting firm to design a counting method suitable for the sprawl of Los Angeles. Verjan now oversees a staff of 14. They prepare, in part, by assembling clipboards and maps for more than 2,100 census tracts.
Volunteers, including those who have been homeless, recruit others to join them up to the last minute. A website allows volunteers to register and pick out the neighborhood they’d like to cover. On Tuesday, Verjan arrived at San Angelo Park in Avocado Heights shortly before coordinator Gabriela Gomez began handing out clipboards to a dozen volunteers. Each clipboard covered a census tract. With 29 tracts, the volunteers split into teams of two, instead of the recommended three to four, and each had more ground to cover.Verjan teamed up with Lisa Flores, an administrative assistant with Dunn-Edwards who chose to drive, leaving Verjan as the navigator and counter.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Meet Bryan Buckley, the director behind more than 50 Super Bowl commercialsBryan Buckley has directed some of the most iconic Super Bowl ads of the past 20 years and is back for this year's game with two more spots.
Read more »
At Valentino Haute Couture, Big Shapes Meet Big Bows for Spring 2020Pierpaolo Piccioli proves, yet again, he knows how to design a good gown.
Read more »
Meet the 2020 Grammy Nominees for Best Regional Mexican Music AlbumMeet the 2020 Grammy nominees for Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano).
Read more »
Meet Emilia Clarke's New BFF Ted, aka 'the Most Beautiful Puppy in the Entire World'Prepare to fall deeply in love with EmiliaClarke's new puppy Ted! 🐶💕
Read more »