On Tuesday, January 23, the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) conducted its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), a citywide community volunteer effort to count every New Yorker sleeping on the street during the coldest time of the year.

That evening, at the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Catholic Charities of New York hosted a pre-count kick-off event that involved preparing 150 meals for homeless individuals and included a panel of experts who spoke on the homelessness issue.

The panel was moderated by Catholic Charities NY Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan and featured Commissioner of the NYC Department of Social Services Molly Wasow Park, Executive Director of Nazareth Housing Rachel Levine, Executive Director of Covenant House New York Dr. Shakeema North, President and CEO of Catholic Homes New York Russell Lang, and Catholic Charities client Dina Smalls.