Although the Rescue Task Force numbers might suggest otherwise, San Diego Rescue Mission president and CEO Herb Johnson thinks homelessness is on the rise around the city. Johnson believes the local homeless situation is turning a new corner. “I think there is a swelling of people who just aren’t really in the counts that are kind of bouncing from one temporary situation to another,” Johnson said. “People are starting to understand that the homeless population is not just one-dimensional. It’s very multi-dimensional in terms of a lot of different needs and a lot of different characteristics.” San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) will shine a spotlight on local homeless with its fourth annual Sleepless San Diego event on Saturday, April 24 at Liberty Station. About 1,000 people are expected to participate, said organizers. The main objective of the event is to raise awareness about homelessness in San Diego. The Rescue Task Force and SDRM are independent, nonprofit relief agencies in San Diego. “Many people who don’t live or work in the downtown area may not have an opportunity to see the girth of the homelessness problem,” Johnson said. “There’s a major concentration downtown, as there is in Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach and a lot of near-city communities.” The main element of Sleepless San Diego is the sleepout, held from 3 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday. Johnson said the sleepout, which takes place at 2772 Historic Decatur Road, is more of a demonstration than about mimicking those on the streets. “It just gives you a brief touch of staying out of your home for one night to make a stand for people who have no voice in this city,” Johnson said. Sleepless San Diego also includes a free expo from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday that includes games, demonstrations, resources, food and entertainment. More than 20 area service providers will be at the expo. “They will have booths, they will have their materials and an opportunity to show their wares,” Johnson said. “It’s a chance for people to look at some of the other organizations who provide service and opportunity for us to unify homeless providers around San Diego County.” Residents who can’t spend the night — but who want to get involved in the campaign — can help by visiting www.sleeplesssandiego.org to sponsor a sleeper or donate to the event. Proceeds from the event support SDRM’s programs that help the homeless, including 12-month recovery programs, a shelter for women and children, medical care and support, a psychotherapy center and a food recovery program. “No matter how much government money we pour into these homeless programs, the way this community is going to resolve the issues of homelessness is to roll their sleeves up and get involved, to put a shoulder against it and try and support these imperatives to get people off the streets,” Johnson said. “Homeless people are ‘us,’ not ‘them.’” For more information, visit www.sdrescue.org.