NORTHWEST ARKANSAS–The story began one year ago and continues this Saturday in Northwest Arkansas.

That story is the quest to raise public awareness about–and eventually end– homelessness in Arkansas and throughout the country.

In January 2009, the University of Arkansas Community and Family Institute published a “point-in-time” homeless census that shared a staggering statistic that shocked many local residents. At that point, there were 1,287 homeless people (half of whom were children) living in Northwest Arkansas alone.

Last year, Mike Horvath, founder of InvisiblePeople.tv, came to NWA to talk about homelessness and how the community could help. A public awareness event found people braving the cold to live outside for just one night.

“A lot’s happened since then,” according to a press release from the Cobblestone Project.

Horvath, a former homeless person himself, is returning to the region as part of a national tour to promote public awareness about homelessness.

Saturday will hold two events for the “1,287–Stand Up and Be Counted 2010″ project.

The first event is at the Bentonville Farmer’s Market starting at 7 a.m. this Saturday. The Farmer’s Market is on The Square in downtown Bentonville. Several NWA-based nonprofit organizations will be sharing their story, including: Seven Hills Homeless Center, Samaritan Community Center, NWA Women’s Shelter, Cobblestone Project, Havenwood and Teen Action & Support Center. Horvath will be at the Cobblestone Project booth approximately 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The second event is 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at the U of A Continuing Education Building on the Square in Fayetteville (2 East Center Street). Considered the main event, the Stand Up and Be Counted community meeting will feature Horvath and several updates on what’s been done in the community in regards to homelessness and related issues in the last year.

For more information:
About InvisiblePeople

About Cobblestone Project

Photo for this story is from the InvisiblePeople.tv Facebook page.