Resolve to become a non-smoker this New Year

Saint John’s Health Center, 1328 22nd Street, presents “Freedom from Smoking,” a smoking cessation course developed by The American Lung Association, starting Jan. 18 and running until Feb. 8, meeting Monday and Thursday evenings, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost for the eight-session program is $80, and advance registration is required.

For more information, call (310) 829-8453.

Daily Press



Nation’s largest count of homeless people needs help

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) seeks the assistance of 1,500 volunteers to support the nation’s largest enumeration of homeless people. The 2007 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count will begin with a three-day count on the nights of Jan. 23, 24, and 25, 2007. Teams of two or more enumerators will count homeless individuals and families currently residing on the streets and other outdoor locations. Additionally, there will be a count of people in shelters, in motels that accept vouchers, and in institutions such as hospitals, jails, and in alcohol and drug residential treatment centers. For eight weeks following the enumeration, a representative sample of homeless residents will be surveyed throughout the county to gather more in-depth information. The homeless count is critical to planning for and receiving funding for homeless services.

Volunteers will be asked to attend one 90-minute training prior to participation. The training sessions will take place Jan. 16-18, 2007, throughout the county during daytime and evening hours.

“Volunteers are critical to the success of the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count,” said LAHSA Executive Director Rebecca Isaacs. “This effort would not be possible without their participation.”

For more information and to register as a volunteer, please see the Web site at www.lahsa.org/homelesscount.htm.

DP