Volunteers needed for Santa Barbara Countywide homeless survey

by Amigos805.com • January 16, 2013 • Comments Off

Community leaders briefed the community on the upcoming 2013 Countywide Vulnerability Index Survey and ongoing outcomes from the 2011 bi-annual survey at a public event recently held at the Faulkner Gallery; and announced the call for 500 volunteers to participate countywide: Speakers and advocates included (left to right): Angela Antenore, Facilitator, Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H); Mayor Helene Schneider; Rob Fredericks, Deputy Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara; Jeff Shaffer, Coordinator, C3H; Rob Pearson, Executive Director/CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara; Jessielee Coley, Volunteer Coordinator, Common Ground of Santa Barbara County, and Emily Allen, Common Ground of Santa Barbara County Homeless Advocacy Project , and County Supervisor Doreen Farr (not pictured). Courtesy photo.

SANTA BARBARA — Common Ground of Santa Barbara County and Central Coast Collaborative (C3H) on Homelessness held a community briefing on Jan. 7 at the Faulkner Gallery in the Santa Barbara Public Library to update the community on outcomes resulting from the 2011 bi-annual Vulnerability Index and to announce a call to engage 500 volunteers countywide to conduct the upcoming 2013 Countywide Vulnerability Index Survey.

In 2011 Santa Barbara County had the most “Registry Week” volunteers of any community nationwide to help conduct the bi-annual Vulnerability Index Survey and Point in Time Count to discover how many individuals and families are living on the streets. Common Ground Santa Barbara County and the newly established Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H) is again seeking hundreds of volunteers to make the 2013 effort a success so that our community can have accurate data and information about homelessness throughout the county.

Five hundred volunteers are needed to help conduct the Survey during during the week of January 21st and must attend one of the training sessions held on Jan. 17-19 in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria or Lompoc. This survey will ensure that those living on the streets who are at the highest risk will receive valuable life-saving resources and services, moving them into housing and reducing their dependency on expensive emergency services.

No experience is needed. Volunteers for the Jan. 22 & 23 survey dates must attend one of the countywide training events to be held on:

SANTA MARIA? Training Day, Thursday Jan 17, 2-4 p.m., Church for Life, 3130 Skyway Drive, #501, Santa Maria, 93455

SANTA MARIA? Training Day, Thursday Jan 17, 6-8p.m., Church for Life, 3130 Skyway Drive, #501, Santa Maria, 93455

LOMPOC? Training Day, Friday, Jan 18, 2-4 p.m., New Life Christian Center, 816 No. C St., Lompoc, 93436

LOMPOC? Training Day, Friday, Jan 18, 6-8 p.m., New Life Christian Center, 816 North C St., Lompoc, 93436

SANTA BARBARA (Training location for Goleta, Isla Vista, and Carpinteria) Training Day, Saturday, Jan 19, 1 p.m.-4p.m: Earl Warren Showgrounds, Warren Hall, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, 93105

Volunteers are also needed to staff the survey outposts on Jan. 22 & 23, including set-up/take-down, directing volunteers and computer support for photo uploads. Volunteers also needed before Jan. 17th to prepare training packets.

If you belong to a club or organization: Common Ground Santa Barbara can make a presentation about volunteering to your members.