Please note these volunteer positions have been filled.
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is asking individuals in New London County to volunteer for the upcoming annual counts of individuals experiencing homelessness in Connecticut. The Point-in-Time Count will take place on the evening of January 21, 2020 from 7-11pm.
Each year, the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count surveys adults and families with children on one-night and is followed by the Youth Outreach & Count, a week-long count of youth. These counts provide two sources of data that are used to measure the extent of homelessness in the state and enables a comparison of how homelessness is trending from year-to-year. Like all states and communities, Connecticut is also required to report this data to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, who use it to compile the Annual Assessment of Homelessness Report to Congress.
The separate census for youth is critical as many are missed during the PIT Count because they often do not access adult emergency shelters or other homeless services. For those experiencing homelessness, these Counts offer a chance for them to connect with volunteer surveyors who can record their needs, add them to community lists for housing resources, and guide them towards services and supports that that can end their homelessness.
The 2019 PIT Count estimated that 3,033 people in Connecticut were experiencing homelessness, 577 of them children. The 2019 Youth Outreach & Count identified 337 unaccompanied youth under age 25 who reported having been literally homeless the night of the Point-in-Time Count and 674 unaccompanied youth who reported being unstably housed that night. The full 2019 PIT and Youth Count Report, including data specific to the region, can be found at www.cceh.org/pit/data-and-reports.
“As CCEH and our partners across Connecticut work to bring an end to homelessness for all individuals, families, and youth in our state, we rely heavily on these counts to help us measure whether and how well our strategies are working,” said CCEH CEO Richard Cho. “This year, we will need more volunteers than ever to ensure an accurate count, and we hope that congregations, businesses, college students, municipalities, and any individual interested in engaging in efforts to end homelessness will join us for this important effort.”
Connecticut has been a national leader in ending homelessness, having reduced the number of people experiencing homelessness by 25 percent since 2007.
The success of these Counts depends on the participation of volunteers. Volunteers will attend a brief training before hitting the streets in teams led by members of Connecticut’s homeless service-provider community.
Volunteer surveyors will be using a mobile app called “Counting Us”, developed by Canton, MA based company, Simtech Solutions.
The 2020 PIT Count and Youth Outreach & Count are made possible through generous support from the Department of Housing, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Farmington Bank Community Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and Melville Charitable Trust.
Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness
The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, in partnership with members and communities throughout the state, creates change through leadership, advocacy, and building the capacity of members and the field to prevent and end homelessness in Connecticut. Learn more by visiting cceh.org.
