Homeless Connect | Volunteer

» Download the Call for Volunteers, Volunteer information, and the Volunteer Registration Form

A really rewarding way of helping homeless people is to volunteer your time for Homeless Connect.

The event starts at 10 but we request that you commit to arriving at 8am. The reason for this is that we will hold a motivational rally and the volunteer orientation between 8.15 to 9.15 am. The rally will provide:

Key messages about Homeless Connect - brief background, values, objectives and outcomes
Homeless Connect within the context of Edmonton's Plan to End Homelessness
A chance to collect a Volunteer T-Shirt, A Services Passport, map and other information about the day
A chance for Volunteer Leaders to go through the different volunteer "roles"
A walk-through the service provider, catering, laundry etc areas, to get familiar with the layout

The event will close at 3pm, but again we would like Volunteers to stay for a short debrief meeting, which will likely end at 3.30pm. We recognize t hat this is a long day, but from previous experience we know that the busiest part of the day is the morning and just after lunchtime, so we'd like as many volunteers there as possible.

Volunteer Leaders will be identified at the Volunteer Orientation. Volunteer Leaders are there to trouble-shoot and help Volunteers and Guests so don't be afraid to approach a Volunteer Leader.

Volunteer Rewards

Volunteers will be given a Homeless Connect Volunteer T-Shirt, a map and other information about the day.
Volunteers will also have access to the Volunteer Lounge, a quiet area for relaxing, having a beverage or lunch.
Lunch and other refreshments will be provided in the main catering area. Other beverage stations will be dotted around the main hall.

There are four "job roles" for volunteers: Greeter, Registration, Guides, and Miscellaneous.

Greeter Job Description

It is the greeter's job to welcome all guests to the event and encourage all hesitant guests.

Greet and introduce yourselves as guests arrive at the event
Answer any questions and provide overview of what the event is about and what will happen.
Direct the guests to Hall C for registration and inform them there is coffee and muffins inside for them
Let guests know that volunteers are set up throughout the Halls in blue t-shirts to help if they need it.
Tell them about the services and what's happening inside if they need to be convinced to come in
If they need valet service for carts or belongings direct them to that area.
Inform Team Leader if your area needs more volunteers or if some volunteers aren't busy.
Be on the lookout for intoxicated people. Inform George Spade volunteer or Let security guide them for a coffee and meal. Inform security if you think they are bringing in drugs or alcohol.
If not busy, take a walkabout around the building greeting people and encouraging them to attend the event

There may be people coming to "look around" who are from other agencies or the media. Please ask them to sign in at the Information Booth. Also please be on the lookout for Elected Officials and direct them to the Information Booth and let your Team Lead know so they can inform the correct people.

Registration Job Description

Registration Volunteers have an important role collecting data from the event so we can help end homelessness

When you can take a new guest signal to the volunteers directing guests that you are available
Greet and introduce yourself to your guest
Let the guest know that you need to ask a few questions for data purposes so we can help end homelessness
Go through the form with them filling in their answers
Listen to anything guests want to tell you. Quite often they want to tell you their story
Let them know of all the services we have available for them
Ask which services they would like to visit filling out the service request form
Signal for guide

If you have any questions about any questions on the registration form, please ask your Team Leads. We do not want any confusion over questions.

Guide Job Description

It is the guide's job to take our guests from registration to their first service. Also to answer any guests questions on services or help finding a service throughout the day.

Once a registration volunteers signals they are finished greet your guest and introduce yourself
Look over their service selection form and ask which service they would like to visit first
If a guest isn't sure help them out by giving them information on each service like line up sizes, availability etc.
Accompany guest to first stop.
If that agency is busy, ask them if they would like to see if their next choice less busy.
If they are okay waiting, let service liaison know they have arrived.
If they would like to move on to next selected service, walk them over.
When you arrive at the requested Agency, introduce our guest to the representative and provide additional information regarding individuals' needs as appropriate.
Emphasise to each person that they can come back to you or speak to any volunteer at any time for help or more info or whatever they need.
Be flexible and keep smiling!
Return to the intake area. Inform Team Leader if the line-ups are over 10 minutes wait or if a service cannot take any more people.

NOTE: If someone doesn't want to be accompanied, let them know the set up of the Hall and inform them that any volunteer can help if they need it later.

Miscellaneous Volunteer Job Description

Miscellaneous Volunteers hold the event together. All miscellaneous positions are either helping out at a service that needs extra help, helping out at a service that is run by volunteers or helping out or taking over breaks where needed so we can provide excellent service for our guests.

Miscellaneous Positions

Coffee- Serving coffee and muffins to guests as they come through the doors to line up for registration (Food cannot go out into the lobby)
Info- sitting at the information booth helping people with information or who they need to talk to
Detox- walking around in the foyer looking for intoxicated people and assisting them to the detox mats
Clothing- helping hand out and sort clothing
Hairdresser- sweeping up hair and any other task they don't have time to do
Eyeglasses- helping hand out eyeglasses
Exit survey- completing exit surveys with guests as they leave. (start in the afternoon)
Laundry- doing everyone's laundry as well as a couple people walking round asking people if they have clothes to be washed
Buggy- buggy valet, watching bikes, buggies etc. as well as collecting filled in Registration forms and counting so we have an ongoing total
Service Info- helping guests know where they need to go for what service under each heading
Coat Check- helping Shaw staff at Coat Check

Please keep in touch with your Team Lead so they know if you are available for a new task, take over a break or if you need something at your service.

General Information for all Volunteers

Emphasise to each person that they can come back to you or speak to any volunteer at any time for help or more info or whatever they need.
At the last event, the services area was extremely busy from 10am to 2pm - keep in touch with your Volunteer Team Leader and ensure that they know if bottle-necks are forming or if a service in under pressure.
We will have an MC at the event, who can relay information about the Service area, e.g. if it's busy, long line-ups etc. This will keep everyone up to date with information.
If a Guest doesn't want to be accompanied, show them the set up of the Hall and inform them that any volunteer can help if they need it later.
Please be flexible and keep smiling! Jobs may be allocated on the day of the event, please join in and accept the role with a smile - know that your contribution is valuable!

To sign as a volunteer please visit our sign up page, or print out the registration form and fax it to (780) 496-2634 or email to shelms@homewardtrust.ca. Volunteers are asked to sign a waiver.

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