We’re joining the San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF) for their seasonal census on homeless populations throughout the riverbed. In general, having a better understanding of the population and locations of people living in the riverbed informs advocacy (by SDRPF and others) to justify bringing additional homeless services and outreach to the riverbed. Their organization’s mission is generally focused on the ecology of the San Diego River, but they are committed to helping partner on sustainable solutions to the environmental and human challenges of people seeking refuge in the riverbed. SDRPF brings their expertise and familiarity with the riverbed to these partnerships with expert social scientists and outreach workers, in hopes that collaboration might yield better outcomes for both people and the river

This census is to gain a better understanding of the population of homelessness in the riverbed at the end of the dry season, before the winter rains come and the river eventually floods. SDRPF tracks seasonality of trends in the riverbed at the end of the dry season, in the middle of the wet season (in conjunction with the WeAllCount County wide Point-in-Time count), and at the end of the rainy season. Ultimately, they hope to create a better future for the San Diego River so that it can be a place for all of us.

Why Is This Event So Early? That's a great question! 6am is late enough in the morning for volunteers to be able to traverse the riverbed safely, but also early enough to ensure that people living in the riverbed are still sleeping or at their camps. SDRPF’s ability to share this census data with partners relies on the accuracy of the data, and the later in the morning they conduct this census, the more likely it is that people will be getting up, moving around, and walking from segment to segment. In order to minimize double-counting individuals, they must conduct this census as early as we can!

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the event:

• Please arrive by 5:45am to get checked in on time and allow time for parking

• Attire: Long Pants and closed-toe shoes are required

• A headlight or flashlight may be useful first thing in the morning as it will be dark

• If you’d like to also help us hand out care packages please bring a backpack with you

• Other Items to Bring: Reusable water bottle, hat, other forms of sun protection

• Weather: Light rain will not cancel the event

• For safety reasons, no pets are allowed at this event

• There may not be restroom facilities at this location

• Community Service hours can not be verified for those who need them

• Must be 18+