POINT-IN-TIME COUNT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Homeless PIT Count relies on the volunteers who assist with the Street Count and associated efforts. To ensure adequate coverage of all of Hillsborough County, more than 600 volunteers are needed.
HOMELESS PIT COUNT QUICK FACTS
-
Volunteers under the age of 18 MUST be in high school and must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian during the entire volunteer shift.
-
Every volunteer will be required to wear a mask while inside the Deployment sites, while in transport to and from the deployment area, and while engaging people experiencing homelessness and other staff/volunteers.
-
ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST complete a training prior to volunteering on the day of the Homeless PIT Count. Click here to access training opportunities.
Street Count/Hot Spot Volunteers and Deployment Site Assistants
On the day of the homeless count, Thursday, February 24, 2022, pre-registered trained volunteers will meet at their selected deployment site for their selected shifts.
-
Street Count volunteers (500 volunteers): Teams of 3-4 people will be formed with each team given a mapped area to canvass. The map includes plotted locations – including encampments, parks, alleys, underpasses, and service locations - where homeless people have been previously encountered/observed. Each team is then ‘deployed’ to canvass their assigned mapped area, using the plotted locations as starting points. Team members will conduct the PIT Count Survey with homeless persons they meet during their canvassing. Whenever possible, the volunteer team will include at least one person with experience working with homeless people and/or past count volunteer experience.
-
Hot Spot volunteers (120 volunteers): Teams of varying sizes will be formed with each team given a Hot Spot location. The Hot Spot location will be either a public library or a site serving hot meals. Team members will conduct the PIT Count Survey with homeless persons they meet at the Hot Spot and remain there for their volunteer shift. Priority will be given to volunteers who are physically unable to participate in the street count.
-
Deployment Site Assistants (40 volunteers): Volunteers are needed to be “deployment site assistants” who can assist with the clerical tasks such as volunteer check-in/sign-out. Deployment Site Assistants will also be required to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the regular volunteer shift and remain for at least 30 minutes following the end of the shift. Please note that there will be a maximum of 2 assistants needed per location and shift. Priority will be given to volunteers who are physically unable to participate in the street count.
*The “Deployment Location” indicates the area the Deployment Site is located and may not directly correlate to the areas/neighborhoods to which the volunteers from that location will be deployed to conduct the count. Please see the ‘deployment location map’ for more information about the areas to be covered from each deployment location. Volunteers may be asked to canvass in any part of the deployment area. For the Hot Spot shift, volunteers may be asked to travel to a known hot spot outside of the deployment area. See map here.
Tampa/Hillsborough County Continuum of Care will adhere to the CDC guidelines in making this year’s annual Point In Time Count as safe and healthy as possible. Every volunteer will be required to wear a mask while inside the Deployment sites, while in transport to and from the deployment area, and while engaging people experiencing homelessness and other staff/volunteers. Symptoms will be checked upon arrival to the deployment sites. Personal protective equipment will be available for all who need it. Recommendations are to be a fully vaccinated person in order to participate in this year’s annual PIT Count.
For the community’s safety, we ask that you NOT participate
if you experience any of the following symptoms on or after February 17, 2022:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Additional Important Information about Volunteering:
-
Every effort will be made to accommodate volunteer’s preferences for deployment locations and shift, however each volunteer location and shift does have a maximum number of volunteers needed. Once the limit has been reached, you may be asked to select a different deployment location and/or shift.
-
Every effort will be made to allow people to volunteer together, however, because each volunteer team should consist of no more than 3-4 volunteers and whenever possible include at least one person with experience working with homeless people and/or past count volunteer experience, your group may be asked to split up to maximize the number of volunteer teams available to conduct the count. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
-
The PIT Count will take place RAIN or SHINE! Please check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
-
Many volunteer teams will need to drive from the Deployment Location to the map areas, during on-line registration, you will be asked whether you are able to assist with transportation for your volunteer team.
Tell Others about this Volunteer Opportunity
You can help us spread the word about this volunteer opportunity by sharing Homeless PIT Count Flyer with your colleagues, friends and family.
Additional Questions?
If you have questions about volunteering or helping support for the 2022 Homeless PIT Count, please contact us at Info@thhi.org or 813-223-6115.