Dozens of volunteers combed the streets of parts of western Connecticut Tuesday night, reaching out to people who too often go unnoticed, the homeless.

It was all part of the state's annual "point in time Census," which is essentially a head count of the number of homeless people in various communities.

The counts are held every January to determine the state's progress when it comes to preventing homelessness.

Volunteers took to the streets of Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford and according to organizers, while the count gives officials the numbers they need to strategize, it more importantly allows them to connect with the people they'll be helping.

“We do this because for us ending homelessness is our priority,” says Carla Miklos, executive director of Operation Hope. “We want to know who is out there, we want to be able to find them again and offer them services to get them off the street and into housing through our network of service providers across the county.”

The census will continue over the next week.

Officials say that anyone in need of a shelter can call 211 for information on what services are available.