Project Homeless Connect 6 is Fast Approaching...

Save The Date: August 21, 2008

We are grateful to the hundreds of community members who have come forward to help our homeless neighbors and hope that you will have a chance to participate in August.
 

Norfolk Scope, Exhibit Hall

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (volunteers)

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (individuals seeking services)

*Volunteer orientation, August 20, 2008 4 p.m. at the Scope.
Parking will be validated. Bring your ticket in to receive a validation sticker.*

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 a one-day outreach and service initiative for single homeless adults in Norfolk.

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: Click on the link or e-mail Margie Johnson, United Way of South Hampton Roads at mjohnson@unitedwayshr.org

Donations:

If you are interested in supporting Project Homeless Connect with a financial or in-kind donation, please contact Katie Kitchin (Catherine.kitchin@norfolk.gov, 757-664-4488).

REMINDERS

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! We plan to provide all clients and volunteers with lunch and a beverage, but if the food runs out clients will have priority, so bring a snack and water just in case.

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