The city of Tempe is looking for volunteers for two homeless outreach efforts in January.
The Project Connect event on Jan. 11 will bring resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness together in one single location.
Volunteers will work between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. to help with set up, assist individuals as they navigate services, conduct surveys and more.
“We have so many opportunities in January to really serve the most vulnerable in our community and this is the time in the season for us to really be able to offer these assistances, services and connections to these folks that are really in need at this point of the year," said Jessica Wright, the city's homeless solutions manager.
Individuals interested in participating can sign up for a shift through HandsOn Greater Phoenix at handsonphoenix.org.
Community members can also help by organizing a clothing drive to collect sweaters, jackets, pants for men or new underwear for men and women or bake mini-loafs for breakfast. For clothing drive details, contact Andrew Grove, outreach coordinator for the Human Services Campus in Phoenix, at [email protected]; baking volunteer details can be found on Rise & Shine Bread’s calendar.
The city is also looking for 40-60 volunteers to help with its annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count on Jan. 25. From 6 a.m. to noon, volunteers travel in teams to parks, neighborhoods and business areas. They interview individuals using a mobile app, provide resource cards and hand out items such as bottled water and snacks.
Data gathered helps determine how the city allocates resources. The experience also gives volunteers a unique opportunity to better understand issues facing those who are homeless. A training will be held about a week in advance. Volunteers will be required to wear masks and distance when possible.
Volunteers can sign up by emailing Wright at [email protected].
