The public is invited to meet with community leaders on Oct. 25 to discuss what is being done about homelessness in the North County.

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Jim Patterson will lead the meeting to explore issues and solutions from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the Community Church of Atascadero, 5850 Rosario Ave., according to a news release.

The talk will begin with the documentary “Homeless Not Hopeless,” followed by a panel of four recently or currently homeless people to share their stories and participate in a question-and-answer session.

Representatives from local groups such as the North County’s homeless shelter, El Camino Homeless Organization; Transitions Mental Health Association; and People’s Self Help Housing will also be present during the talk.

The panel represents "a mom escaping domestic violence, parents struggling to maintain stability for their children while living in a shelter and individuals cycling through bouts of substance abuse," the news release says.

“There are so many myths and stereotypes about who is homeless and how they got there,” ECHO Executive Director Bill Watt said in a statement. “We want to give them a voice so the public can personally hear their stories.”

The event is sponsored by the Community Church of Atascadero; Homeless Services Coalition of North County; and SLO Homeless Services Oversight Council.

For more information, contact the church at 466-9108 or ccaucc@sbcglobal.net.