WHY DO A HOMELESS COUNT?

The providers of homeless services in Burke County regularly seek grant funding from state and federal agencies, and private funders to support their efforts countywide.  This “Point-In-Time” count of the county’s homeless population helps to confirm the need for these funds, and can be used to adjust service needs as appropriate.

ENUMERATION – A head count of persons experiencing homelessness:

We need volunteers to actively participate in the process for counting individuals and families on the street and in sheltered facilities.  This Point-In-Time Count will be done on Thursday, January 29, 2009.  The day of the count, volunteers will be asked to meet at one of several deployment centers in order to meet their team members and receive their final location maps. 

SURVEYS – Interview process to gather specific information about the homeless population:

On Thursday, January 29, 2009, volunteers also be needed to survey a smaller sample of homeless persons, through one-on-one interviews using a short questionnaire.  

Volunteers must attend one of two volunteer trainings so that you are prepared for count/survey:
Training Dates: Tuesday, January 22nd from 5:30-7:30 pm OR
Thursday, January 29th from 10:00-12:00 pm (before the count)
Food provided at the training sessions. Volunteers will be working in teams—so you will not be working alone

 ARE YOU THE TYPE OF VOLUNTEER WE’RE LOOKING FOR?

• Are you over the age of 18?
• Can you walk 1 to 2 miles unassisted, as a potential enumerator and/or surveyor?
• Are you bilingual?  If you can read and speak Spanish or Hmong, you can fill a special set of volunteer needs.
• People from all professions and walks of life are encouraged to volunteer, for example:
  • County and city employees
  • Police and fire agency employees
  • College students
  • Employees of shelters or other service providers
  • Faith-based community members
  • Service or other civic organization members
  • And anyone with a heart for this special population!

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To find out more, please contact:

David Collins at  (828) 448-3153
or
burkecounts@refugeministires.us