JOIN US FOR NORFOLK’S PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT

March 3, 2010

Norfolk Scope, Exhibit Hall

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (volunteers)

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (individuals seeking services)

Volunteer orientation, Thursday, February 24, 2010 (TBD) at the Scope.

Reaching out to Norfolk’s single homeless adults; connecting to community resources; ending homelessness one step at a time.

Volunteers are needed to participate in this one-day outreach and service initiative for single adults experiencing homelessness in Norfolk.

Donations are needed. Have a group that wants to help plan for this event? Consider collecting donations or doing a drive for socks, back packs, or shoes!

Contributions are always needed and greatly appreciated!!  If you would like to make a financial contribution, call Sarah Paige Fuller at 757-664-4466 or email sarah.fuller@norfolk.gov

More About Volunteer Opportunities

Client Support:

Project Homeless Connect will turn Norfolk’s Scope into a one-day, mega service site to help homeless adults, especially those staying on the streets, connect to resources and services. Client Support Services is an important group of volunteers who assist clients to get from one service area to another. Client Support volunteers act as guides, giving directions or escorting clients to the areas where they can get food, services, appointments, whatever they need. Client Support Services needs MANY VOLUNTEERS. You do not have to have any experience in social services or working with the homeless, just a desire to help those in need.

Street Outreach:

Project Homeless Connect allows you (who may have no experience at all) to work directly with Norfolk's homeless by helping to link them to needed services. As a street outreach worker for Project Homeless Connect you have the opportunity to engage with homeless clients in a supportive way; encourage them to come to our "linkage station" where they can receive medical treatment, substance abuse and mental health counseling, legal services, sign up for food stamps, and SSI benefits, learn about employment, training, and housing options and get some good food and other giveaways. Street Outreach workers will go out in groups of 2 or 3 to engage clients and help bring them inside to connect with the City's web of social services. Volunteers will be provided with transportation and will be expected to transport individuals seeking service to Scope and back to their shelter or place of pick up throughout the day. Training will be provided in advance of the event.

Triage:

The chronic homeless adults who come to Project Homeless Connect need a wide range of information, services and appointments. In order to assist them to make successful linkages, every client starts with Triage. Triage volunteers are mostly trained social work/social service providers. These individuals greet clients, explain and obtain clients signed authorization for sharing information and take the client through a structured set of questions. This brief but critical survey of needs and information identifies the service areas that will best assist the individual that day. When finished, other volunteers (Client Support) will guide the client to the Service Area using the Triage summary. Triage will offer a high-level of clinical experience and client-centered approach to assisting the homeless make the most of the one-day event.

Food:

It is extremely difficult for people to stay focused in interviews and to complete application forms for various services when they are hungry. Project Homeless Connect will provide a mini-restaurant, to serve meals to Project Homeless Connect clients. Volunteers in the Cafe area are needed to serve as hosts, waiters, food prep volunteers, bussers, etc.

Data Entry/Discharge:

The discharge area is the final stop before obtaining any giveaway items, from hygiene kits, to clothing to food items. It is an opportunity to ensure that individuals seeking services obtained what they came for, or what they may need. Discharge will provide additional referrals as appropriate, and encourage feedback on the event. Lastly it serves as an important data collection point related to who visited us and what services they may have asked for (aggregated data, preserving client confidentiality). All the data that is collected via the discharge area will help with future planning and quantification of service needs.

Medical:

If you are a medical professional and would like to volunteer, we need your help. Please let us know your area of professional background and interest.

To Volunteer, please register by February 15, 2010:  Click on the link to register on-line.  If you have questions, please contact Tamikia Vasquez, United Way of South Hampton Roads at tvasquez@unitedwayshr.org

Donations:  If you are interested in supporting Project Homeless Connect with a financial or in-kind donation, please contact Sarah Paige Fuller at sarah.fuller@norfolk.gov or call 757-664-4466.

~REMINDERS FOR Project Homeless Connect Day~

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! We will provide you with a Project Homeless Connect T-shirt. Only bring what you can carry (there is no storage area for volunteers’ belongings.)

PACK A SNACK & BRING WATER! Detailed information regarding food will be discussed during volunteer training.

RECRUIT A FRIEND! We have positions available to anyone that wants to help. It's not too late. Bring a friend.

All volunteers must be 18 years of age and older.

After you register as a volunteer, check your email starting February 20th for volunteer instructions and reminders!