East County residents who care about the plight of the homeless people on our streets and are frustrated with inadequate funding for the needs of our community can make a difference by joining the 2011 Homeless Count.

Every two years, Contra Costa County residents can influence the amount of government funding devoted to the county’s homeless services by helping to document the number of unsheltered homeless persons in the area. This is a massive effort requiring hundreds of caring volunteers willing to donate three to four hours of their time – but the rewards are great. Counts document the extent of the problem for funders, establish baseline data for historical purposes and increase understanding of the causes of homelessness so that more effective responses can be developed.

This year the Homeless Count will be held Jan. 26 from 6 to 8:30 a.m. Drivers and counters are needed for East, West and Central County locations. Volunteers must attend one-hour training at the sites listed below and help count on Jan. 26. A four-hour investment of time next month could make an enormous difference to a homeless family living on the streets in cold and rainy weather.

To sign up for a training session and volunteer at the count, obtain a sign-up form by calling the Contra Costa Health Services Homeless Program at 925-313-6145.

Volunteers must attend at least one of the following training sessions:

• Vineyard Community Center, 1970 Grant St. in Concord, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. or Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m.

• Grace Lutheran Church, 2369 Barrett Ave. in Richmond, Jan. 19 at 12:30 or 6 p.m.

• NEW - January 20 at 12:30 p.m. at Impact Church, 390 W. Country Club Dr. Ste. B in Brentwood

Forms must be submitted by Jan. 18 to Felix Box at homelessprogram@hsd.cccounty.us, or sent by fax to 925-313-6761.