City of Longview holds Homeless Resource Day

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - It happens during the last ten days in January, and today is the day. It’s the annual Point-In-Time count surveying the homeless across the country. It’s also the day the City of Longview holds their Homeless Resource Day, which offers those in need many opportunities all under one roof.

Community Healthcore Program Manager Chesley Knowles is positioned at the entrance of the Longview Exhibit Building to supervise the Point-in-Time homeless count as they come in for help.

“It is an event that occurs across the country on the same Thursday in January every year, and we are counting the people in our community that are experiencing homelessness,” Knowles said.

That event is the count, not the Homeless Resource Day which City of Longview Spokesman Richard Yeakley said has grown over the years.

“We have 59 providers out here today including 15 city departments that interact with those communities in some way. And, 74 different programs that can help out people who are homeless,” Yeakley said.

Michael Williams is from Lindale. He played high school football from 1998 to 2002 and said he just hasn’t been able to find his niche.

“I’m looking for that business that honestly people can be proud of seeing a guy walk in and know he’s going to work and see me drive up and understand that I’m just as East Texas as they are,” Williams said.

He said his mother is an inspiration and has worked at ETMC for 28 years.

“Wakes up at 4:15 in the morning. I just want to match her efforts. To be around so many resources like this, it can give you only confidence, endurance and just American pride. I think we need to get back to that,” Williams said.

Williams said he’s had a tough time of it.

“But, I tell you this, Longview has given me a helping hand, and I’m grateful for that,” Williams said.

He hopes it will get him to his goal.

Homeless Resource Day is in its fifth year. Officials said they get a better count using this method, although they still go out in the field to count as many homeless as possible. Last year the count was about 180, and they expect this year it will be a similar number.

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