29-01-2025
2025 Point in Time count continues, volunteers offer help to unhoused locals
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The 2025 Point in Time count to determine Columbus' homeless population continued today.
Each year, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley's Home for Good program pairs up with volunteers from SafeHouse Ministries for the count. It is an effort to record the local unhoused population in shelters and on the street.
For one SafeHouse Ministries employee who volunteered to assist with this year's count, it was a chance to give back to a community she knows personally.
'I used to be out here on the street. I used to do drugs. I used to hang out with these people and party with them,' Cassandra Whitney said. 'God restored my life and took my drug addiction and made me whole again, so I'm just giving back to the community as they gave to me.'
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Whitney has been off the streets for two years now, becoming a SafeHouse employee about a year ago, but she spent five years homeless.
She spent the morning of Jan. 29 talking to local unhoused individuals with her group to find out their needs and offer blankets, socks, coats, food items and hygiene products.
They also shared information about resources individuals could contact for help getting back on their feet. Those include organizations like SafeHouse and United Way, or reaching out to individuals like Sam Lewis, a case manager with SafeHouse and local thrift shop owner.
'We try to get them on to 2-1-1 where they can get some shelter if they want, you know. But in the meantime, I do help them and use them down here at my thrift shop,' Lewis, who owns Thrifty Giving and More, said.
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Lewis, a reverend who also preaches at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, offers individuals food, clothing and supplies from his store. He also gives them the opportunity to help out around the store as they work to better their situations.
'I try to supply what I can,' said Lewis.
One individual who was waiting outside to help at the thrift shop said he had been homeless for seven years. He added the work opportunity and assistance from organizations like SafeHouse has been a blessing.
'It helps me, you know, be clean once I get access to water to clean myself up, you know,' said Bobby White, who received a drawstring bag filled with supplies from Point in Time counters. 'New socks and underwear, you know, make me feel better.'
The 2025 Point in Time count ends Jan. 30, but unhoused individuals can receive help from organizations like United Way and SafeHouse year-round.
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