Pottstown, Pa. (November 9, 2011) – TriCounty Community Network (TCN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health, social and environmental conditions in Western Montgomery, Northern Chester and Eastern Berks counties in Pennsylvania, today announced that its Homeless Services committee will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, November 15 from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at The Salvation Army of Greater Pottstown located at 137 King Street.
Open to the local community, the meeting is aimed at increasing awareness of homelessness in the area and providing valuable information about how individuals and organizations can help the area’s homeless. CADCOM (Community Action Development Commission) will sponsor the breakfast which enables local agencies to share information about their work in the surrounding counties.
“We hope to draw awareness to the homeless problem and dispel the many myths that go along with this stigma,” states Joanne Class, Aging and Adult Services Intake and Referral case manager and co-chair of the TCN Homeless Services Program committee. “Many people do not know how wide-spread the problem is because they do not see it. People are hiding to protect themselves and protect the only valuables they have left in this world. Many of the homeless desperately want help but resources and beds are limited. Homelessness is also on the rise.”
According to the Pottstown Mercury’s May 3, 2010 article, titled “Number of Homeless in Montco on the Rise”, there were 244 homeless people in 2007, 407 homeless in 2008 and 749 homeless people in 2009.
With program funding being drastically cut, there are not enough resources to go around; however, individuals and businesses can help by working to find permanent housing for those who are struggling and help add security and stability for the community.
“We have an incredible amount of great resources and agencies in our area that we will highlight at the November 15 meeting,” added Class. “And Pottstown is full of generous, intelligent community members who can help make this situation better. Our goal is to get the community members connected to the agencies to help improve our resources.”
Donations of packages of new, men’s tube socks are requested to be brought to the meeting to help the homeless in the area fight off frost bite throughout this winter season. To attend, RSVP to TriCounty Community Network at 610.705.3301.
About TriCounty Community Network
TCN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, membership-based organization that partners with nonprofits, businesses and community members to improve health, social and environmental conditions. Serving Western Montgomery, Northern Chester and Eastern Berks counties in Pennsylvania, TCN offers seven key programs: Build Up Youth, C.A.R.E. (Caring in Alternative Residential Environments), Environmental Awareness, Family Literacy, Homeless Services, S.A.F.E. (Supporting Abuse Free Environments), and Workforce Development. For more information on TCN, visit www.tcnetwork.org.
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