Each year, Veronique, a member of The Fortune Society’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and a Supervised Release Program (SRP) Case Manager, volunteers for the New York City Homeless Outreach Population Estimate. This critical outreach effort aims to identify and connect unsheltered people with resources in their communities. This year, it will take place on March 10, from 12 AM to 3 AM.  

During the outreach, volunteers canvas streets, subway stations, parks and other public spaces across the city to locate unsheltered individuals and acknowledge their presence in the community.  

Veronique learned about the outreach initiative in 2018, during her time in graduate school, and has volunteered every year since. She shared that, because of her previous experience with homelessness, she feels compelled to help others in her community who face the same challenges.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings, the Bronx has consistently ranked 62 out of 62 counties in New York State for overall health outcomes. This ranking reflects deep, long‑standing health disparities tied to social determinants such as housing, income, access to care, chronic disease burden, and environmental conditions.

This persistent ranking led to the #Not62 Campaign for a Healthy Bronx, a borough‑wide initiative focused on improving health outcomes and addressing systemic inequities. The campaign brings together community organizations, health systems, and public health partners to tackle the root causes of poor health and work toward lifting the Bronx out of last place.

As a community representative for the NYC Homeless Outreach Population Estimate, Veronique shared that this remains at the forefront of her mind during her time volunteering and drive her continued passion for this project.

Veronique explained that, for anyone newly interested in volunteering, there are opportunities to prepare ahead of the outreach event. All volunteers receive a script and important information on speaking to people respectfully and on the most effective way to approach someone who may be sleeping.  

Veronique also noted the importance of understanding that not everyone the volunteers approach is interested in connecting with services. Instead, it is most important to acknowledge everyone they come across while canvassing.

Veronique’s dedication to New York City’s Homeless Outreach Population Estimate highlights how lived experience and compassion can drive real change. As New Yorkers continue to face the challenges of homelessness and inequality, volunteers like Veronique remind us that meaningful progress begins with empathy and connection. Supporting these outreach efforts is a step toward building a more inclusive and caring city for everyone.