There are an estimated 2,000 homeless people living in Pittsburgh. This number includes those living in shelters as well as those on the street.

National Student Partnerships held a panel discussion at Duquesne University Nov. 18 to increase awareness of these statistics in the hope of recruiting more volunteers to help these men, women and children.

DOWN AND OUT—Two homeless people sleep outside a store in Downtown Pittsburgh. Downtown storefronts are common areas for the homeless to sleep to keep out of the cold and wind.

“By raising awareness, especially on college campuses in which there is a large number of energetic and passionate young people willing to help, one is able to enlist the services of those looking for ways to improve the lives of others,” NSP site coordinator Colin White said. “In addition, a groundswell of support in favor of action to address this issue will force local governments and other social service agencies to direct resources to assist the thousands of individuals who are without a home.”

NSP volunteers can have a huge impact on the lives of the homeless in Pittsburgh. Volunteers provide a number of services such as help with finding employment, applying for public benefits and securing affordable housing.

“The point that I really tried to share with the crowd was that we can all do something to battle homelessness,” panelist Tom Baker said. “We can all do something to better the lives of those living in our community no matter what our background is.”

Baker, chairman of NSP’s Local Advisory Board, said fellow panelist Michael Gleason’s firsthand experience as executive director for the Pleasant Valley Men’s Shelter was beneficial to himself as well as those in the audience.

“Panels are a great way of sharing ideas and best practices but it is imperative that everyone takes action following this type of event,” Baker said. “My main hope when talking with any group is that participants will take immediate action.”

One of the panelists, Erica Smith, took a group out to directly connect with the homeless by giving out toiletries and sandwiches. As the Community Human Services Homeless Outreach coordinator, Smith does this twice a week.

“We know where it is that they stay or they know the route we walk so they wait,” Smith said. “(People) just came out with us and met some of our folks.”

Smith said many different factors contribute to homelessness, but the biggest issue is finding affordable housing. She also stressed that homelessness affects people from many different demographics and backgrounds.

“It can be the loss of a job. It can be the loss of a family member. It can be moving to a different area and losing your support there,” Smith said.

The panelists and members of NSP hope knowledge of these facts will push the community into contributing to help the homeless.

Councilwoman Tonya Payne was also scheduled to be on the panel, but White said he was notified that she had a council meeting.