Volunteers Needed for Point-in-Time Survey

Join the annual “Point-in-Time” survey on Wednesday, Jan. 28 to count sheltered (living in shelters and/or transitional housing) and unsheltered (living on the street, in a vehicle and/or hand-built structure) individuals in Southern Maryland.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the Charles County survey. Available volunteer opportunities are:

Material Distribution Volunteers
When:  Monday, Jan.  12 – Wednesday, Jan. 28
Various Times
Where: Local businesses, churches, organizations, and public places
What:    Volunteers will distribute all marketing material to local businesses, churches, organizations, and other public places.

Item Assembly Volunteers
When: Wednesday, Jan. 28
Various Times
Where: LifeStyles of Maryland, Inc. Office (101 Catalpa Drive Suite 103, La Plata)
What:    Volunteers will assemble items for handout to the homeless population on count day.

Command Center Volunteers
When:  Wednesday, Jan. 28
11 a.m. – Midnight (four-hour shifts)
Where: Lifestyles office (101 Catalpa Drive Suite 103, La Plata)
What:    Volunteers will help answer phones and pinpoint where surveyors have been.

Street Outreach Team Leaders
When: Wednesday, Jan. 28
Three shifts:  12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: Throughout Charles County
What:    Volunteers will go throughout Charles County to conduct surveys with our local homeless population, and to provide everyone counted with information on resources available, distribute needed items, and lead a team of four volunteers.

Street Outreach Surveyors
When: Wednesday, Jan. 28
Three shifts:  12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: Throughout Charles County
What:    Volunteers will go throughout Charles County in teams to conduct surveys with our local homeless population, and to distribute blankets, gloves, and other supplies to the homeless population.

Street Outreach Drivers
When: Wednesday, Jan. 28
Three shifts:  12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: Throughout Charles County
What:    Volunteers will transport our volunteer teams throughout Charles County during the count.

The Point-in-Time survey will provide agencies with important data on the homeless population. This data is critical for federal and state grant applications, and potential HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers for Southern Maryland. Results can lead to the homeless population, which includes veterans, receiving housing. There are more than 1,000 individuals and families who experience homelessness annually in our region.

For more information or to register as a volunteer, contact LifeStyles of Maryland, Inc. at info@lifestylesofmd.org or 866-293-0623.