The 'Night at the Museum' actor is calling on New Yorkers to volunteer for the upcoming HOPE homeless count on Monday, January 25.
- Jan 19, 2016
AceShowbiz - Ben Stiller is urging New Yorkers to join HOPE 2016. In a video set to be released on Tuesday, January 19, the "Zoolander" actor is calling on the citizen of New York City to volunteer for the HOPE homeless count on Monday, January 25.
"Are you enjoying a home right now?" the "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" actor asks in the video. "Thousands of others can't." In a first, among those counting this year will be Mayor de Blasio. The event will be held from Monday night at 10 P.M. to Tuesday morning at 4 A.M.
"On Monday January 25, 2016, the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will conduct its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), a HUD-mandated citywide community volunteer effort to count each chronically homeless person living in public spaces across the five boroughs during the coldest time of the year," reads the statement on HOPE website.
"The HOPE Count is an opportunity to get involved in New York City's effort to reduce chronic street homelessness," it continues, "We are calling on YOU, our fellow New Yorkers, to help us canvass parks, subways, and other public spaces to estimate the number of people who find themselves living on the street. Thousands of volunteers are needed to make the HOPE Count a success."
Last year, 3,500 New Yorkers participated in the count. "Through HOPE and other initiatives, including a new commitment to expand supportive housing, expanded street teams, and more specialized programs to bring street homeless people into safe and appropriate indoor spaces, the City is bringing hope to people who have been homeless, and guiding their journey back home," adds the statement.
