Street Outreach Volunteer

This position will work alongside the Homeless Services Coordinator engaging in Community Street Outreach. The team ensures that unsheltered individual’s basic needs are met while supporting them along pathways toward housing stability and supportive services as needed. The team is responsible for engaging with identified individuals, receiving referrals on locations and from Community Partners.

This volunteer role is great experience for a college student studying towards their social work degree and should qualify as a for-credit unpaid internship placement site. This position may also be meaningful to a retiree, or working adult who has a flexible schedule or someone in a career transition who has an interest in serving the community. Volunteers will always work alongside a paid staff member while providing outreach support.

Overview

Street outreach duties encompass outreach attempts, contact, engagement, navigation and warm-handoff. Key responsibilities fall into three areas (1) Outreach & Engagement, (2) Coordination with Community Stakeholders, and (3) Administrative Duties. 

Street Outreach & Engagement

• Conducts street outreach to homeless populations, as well as provides assistance at designated City facilities to those in need. Outreach is conducted via City Outreach Vehicle and through street patrols
• Focuses outreach on the vulnerable individuals including the chronically homeless and other vulnerable populations (veterans, families with children, women).
• Conducts triage to determine and assist with immediate client needs including food, water, and emergency shelter.
• Provides navigation services to clients by assisting clients to obtain documents and services needed to obtain housing. This may include: referral assistance with obtaining identification documents.
• Conducts a warm-hand off of client to housing provider upon referral to facilitate transfer of services.
  

Coordination with Community Stakeholders

• Attends Collin County Homeless Coalition and Continuum of Care assembly meetings.
• Maintains close communication with other outreach team members to provide “team approach” to ensure that all street homeless are being assisted.
• Coordinates the creation and distribution of care packages to unsheltered homeless.
• Assists with the preparation and administration of the Annual Homeless Census, as well as the implementation of the City’s Homeless Strategy.

Administrative Duties

• Completes any needed paperwork or documentation related to their outreach & coordination tasks
• Uses Microsoft Office Suites to find, update and/or assist in creation of relevant resources
• Communicates effectively with other volunteers and staff

Qualifications

1. Knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with a degree in in human services related field, or related experience. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with area services, community partners, and resources. Knowledge of Homeless programs and services would be beneficial.
2. Commitment to operating within a trauma-informed workplace and community that demonstrates a balance of kindness, competence and care toward self, colleagues, and populations served. Ability to assess and respond responsibly in a wide variety of situations and crises.
3. Minimum direct care experience with persons with mental illness, homelessness, or disabilities.
4. Proficiency in Windows based computer environment and Microsoft Office Suite.
5. Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, organizational and time management skills.
6. Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and be flexible in job duties & schedule.
7. Possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to get to and from work shifts and have the ability to tolerate extreme weather conditions.
8. Must complete a free driver license check, criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check (for positions requiring access into Police buildings only) and social security number verification check.