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VOLUNTEER
The success of Project Homeless ConnectTM (PHC) is due to the ongoing dedication of volunteers. At each event more than 1,000 individuals from every sector of the Bay Area work together to provide efficient and compassionate service to those in need. Volunteers lead and manage most service areas. The common goal is to provide relevant and easily accessible onsite services for clients while creating a valuable experience for all volunteers.
To Volunteer:
Please review and choose one of the service areas below and then click on the red Volunteer Today button. If you haven’t already created a user profile you will need to do so. If you have a user profile, enter your login and password, click on the date of the event and then select the service area and shift. Shifts choices are: ALL DAY (8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.); AM (8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.) and PM (12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.). The day before each event, an orientation and site walk through are held (this is not mandatory but recommended). Event details will be emailed one week prior to the event. A few service areas have mandatory pre-event training ( such as Housing and Shelter Information), please read each service area description carefully. The day of the event, report to Volunteer Registration where you will receive an event map, volunteer T Shirt and further instruction.
Questions? Send an email to volunteer@projecthomelessconnect.com or call 415-503-2190.
Click on the following links to learn more about the many volunteer service areas:
Housing and Shelter Information
Book Giveaway
Volunteers organize the inventory and assist clients to find books they want. Help by donating books or volunteering in this area.
Café Connect
Café Connect invites people to sit down, have lunch, or take a sack lunch with them. A host greets and seats individuals while servers take orders and bring food to clients. Volunteer duties include serving lunch, stocking food for servers, packaging food for carryout, busing tables, and greeting clients. This is a good volunteer opportunity for groups looking to work together.
Check-in
The check-in section is the client entry point. Volunteers assist clients by discussing available service options and filling out a check-in form. Training is offered and recommended.
Check-out
The Check-Out Area is the final stop at Project Homeless Connect. Check-Out Volunteers work one-on-one with clients before they leave to ensure they have received the services that they need. In addition, volunteers solicit honest feedback from clients about what is working well at Project Homeless Connect, what may need improvement, and what additional services they would like to see represented at the event.
The Check-Out Area is always in need of foreign language speaking volunteers, especially those who speak Spanish or Cantonese.
The Check-Out Area is busiest from late morning until AFTER the doors close at 3 pm, and may not be the most suitable assignment for a volunteer who is working the morning shift only or who may need to leave early.
Client Support Escorts
Escorts are stationed in the check-in area and at individual service areas to help clients navigate the event. Client support escorts play an important role in making clients feel welcome; they have a direct impact on client comfort level. An orientation is offered the day before each event.
Data Entry
Data entry volunteers enter confidential client information into the project’s database. This data is used to analyze results and program efficacy. Computer proficiency is necessary.
Dental
Volunteers are needed to help maintain an organized patient flow, work directly with clients to complete pre-screen forms and escort clients to off site dental clinics. Early morning volunteers are needed, as well as bilingual (particularly Spanish) volunteers.
Employment Services
Employment Services for PHC are geared to giving clients the opportunity to progress in their job search both directly through brief career counseling interviews, internet job search and job postings, and indirectly through resources towards accomplishing their goals. Volunteers should have experience in career counseling and/or internet job search, and the skills to listen to the needs of the client and come up with next steps and/or printed job leads in a short amount of time (10-15 minutes). Busiest time is in the morning from opening through to 2:00.
Food Bank
Volunteers assist grocery selection in a farmer’s market-style distribution. Duties include setting up and laying out food, re-stocking, and breaking down boxes. The distribution can be very fast-paced. Some heavy lifting is involved.
General
General volunteers are important to the success and flow of the event, and are placed where needed. These volunteers should be willing to move to different service areas whenever necessary.
Housing and Shelter Information
Volunteers provide housing information and make shelter reservations for clients. Due to a high demand for housing, volunteers must attend mandatory training on how to engage and communicate with clients.
Legal
If you are a licensed attorney in California and interested in volunteering, please email vlsp@sfbar.org, or call 415-782-9000 x8759.
Line Management
Line Management volunteers work to ensure a safe and steady flow of clients into the venue by directing at the front of the line, preventing bottlenecks, enabling smooth flow and providing event information to clients. Volunteers should be comfortable in a quick paced environment, flexible and willing to work patiently and compassionately with clients waiting for entrance to PHC.
Medical
The medical area provides urgent medical care and primary care follow-up appointments to clients. Please register under a category that best fits your medical background: MD, RN, nurse practitioner (NP), or intern student. The medical lead will contact you regarding placement.
Pre-event
The day before the event, volunteers are needed to assist with set up. Duties range from setting up service areas to assembling hygiene kits to posting signage. If you are available the day before the event, please sign up here and send an email (there is an option for this when you register) noting times you are free.
Post-event
This service is a good option for those who can leave work a little early but are unable to take the entire day off. The shift runs from 3-5 p.m. on the day of the event. Duties may include some heavy lifting.
Street Outreach
Street outreach volunteers work with the Homeless Outreach Team to approach individuals who are either unable or reluctant to come to the PHC event on their own. Volunteers are trained the morning of the event and will work in a group led by an experienced street outreach worker. The majority of outreach is done in the Tenderloin and SOMA districts. This is a walking position and ends by 1:30 p.m.
Volunteer Central
Volunteers welcome and support other volunteers. Duties include registering and assigning new volunteers. New volunteers also may have general questions or need reassignment if their initial service area is not a good fit or no longer requires support.
