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Event: Homeless Point in Time (PIT) Count
Date:
July 29, 2015 - July 30, 2015 From 10:30 PM to 03:00 AM
Agency:
United Way's Volunteer Center

Description:
Volunteers are needed for a Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count that will be held July 29, 2015 from 11pm to 3am. Volunteers will be assigned an area in Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding area and will travel in groups of 3-4 (one volunteer will be an auxiliary or part-time police officer). Volunteers will conduct interviews with participating homeless people and offering information about resources that can help. Volunteers should be at least 18 years old. Volunteers do not need any related skills but will be required to attend a training (July 29 at 10:30pm); and will need to fill out an application. There will be minimal walking and volunteer may need to provide his/her own transportation. Volunteers need to dress appropriately for the weather and bring along a flash light. Vest and any other supplies that will be needed will be provided. Volunteers who are interested should contact United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center at 715-421-0390 or send an email to [email protected].

About the PIT Count
A PIT Count is a statistically reliable, unduplicated count of people experiencing homelessness during a designated one-night period. In Wisconsin, PIT Counts are conducted twice a year (once on the last day of July and again on the last day of January). The PIT Count includes people who are living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, domestic violence shelters or who are living unsheltered on the streets. A PIT Count captures a “snapshot” of what homelessness looks like in a community and is reported in the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report that is provided to the US Congress. The PIT Count in south Wood County will focus on unsheltered people. Volunteers will be interviewing local homeless individuals and asking them questions about their general demographic information; current housing situation; military background; income level; educational background; questions relating to behavioral issues such as mental health, drug and alcohol use and developmental disabilities. During the training, volunteers will be instructed on how to do the interview in a non-threatening, non-judgmental way. The information will be used by North Central Community Action Program to request more dollars from funding agencies; plan future services geared towards unsheltered homeless people; allocate resources; understand changes in trends among homeless populations; and comply with reporting requirements from HUD and other funders/stakeholders.
Location:
441 Garfield St
Various - Meet at United Methodist Church (south door)
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494