For those interested in doing some volunteer work...
The article below describes the "homeless census" that is going to happen in the middle of April. They're still looking for volunteers to help out on that night to do some of the surveys. The contact info is at the end of the article.
Toronto to take homeless census
Recruits needed to comb streets Survey will help city refine services
Mar. 23, 2006. 05:30 AM
GABE GONDA
CITY HALL BUREAU
The city of Toronto is seeking volunteers to conduct its first ever census of homeless people.
The survey, called the street needs assessment, will take place across the city on April 19. So far, more than 600 people have volunteered to comb Toronto's streets that night, counting homeless people and conducting an eight-minute survey to assess their needs. In all, the city is looking for 1,500 recruits.
The results of the survey will be used by staff to refine social services, such as alcohol and drug treatment programs, aimed at the city's street population, estimated to be between 5,000 and 20,000.
Volunteers, who so far include former homeless people, university students, teachers and faith leaders, will be led by 500 experienced social service workers. The city has already recruited 234 of those team leaders, who will be paid $100 for their work. The entire project is expected to cost $90,000.
Volunteers will be trained on the night of the survey. Small teams are then expected to cover up to 230 areas of the city between 8:30 p.m. and midnight, asking homeless people to take part in the questionnaire.
Subjects who agree to be interviewed will be asked questions like how old they are, how long they have lived on the streets, whether they need immediate treatment for health and substance abuse problems, as well as what services they have used in the past.
Team leaders, who are expected to have experience dealing with homeless people, will help volunteers identify survey targets.
"This is partly about breaking down the stereotype of what a homeless person looks like," said Iain De Jong, who helped design the survey for Toronto's shelter, housing and support division. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 416-397-4401 or email streetneedsassessment@toronto.ca.
(Source: Toronto Star)
The article below describes the "homeless census" that is going to happen in the middle of April. They're still looking for volunteers to help out on that night to do some of the surveys. The contact info is at the end of the article.
Toronto to take homeless census
Recruits needed to comb streets Survey will help city refine services
Mar. 23, 2006. 05:30 AM
GABE GONDA
CITY HALL BUREAU
The city of Toronto is seeking volunteers to conduct its first ever census of homeless people.
The survey, called the street needs assessment, will take place across the city on April 19. So far, more than 600 people have volunteered to comb Toronto's streets that night, counting homeless people and conducting an eight-minute survey to assess their needs. In all, the city is looking for 1,500 recruits.
The results of the survey will be used by staff to refine social services, such as alcohol and drug treatment programs, aimed at the city's street population, estimated to be between 5,000 and 20,000.
Volunteers, who so far include former homeless people, university students, teachers and faith leaders, will be led by 500 experienced social service workers. The city has already recruited 234 of those team leaders, who will be paid $100 for their work. The entire project is expected to cost $90,000.
Volunteers will be trained on the night of the survey. Small teams are then expected to cover up to 230 areas of the city between 8:30 p.m. and midnight, asking homeless people to take part in the questionnaire.
Subjects who agree to be interviewed will be asked questions like how old they are, how long they have lived on the streets, whether they need immediate treatment for health and substance abuse problems, as well as what services they have used in the past.
Team leaders, who are expected to have experience dealing with homeless people, will help volunteers identify survey targets.
"This is partly about breaking down the stereotype of what a homeless person looks like," said Iain De Jong, who helped design the survey for Toronto's shelter, housing and support division. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 416-397-4401 or email streetneedsassessment@toronto.ca.
(Source: Toronto Star)