FYI

This article reports on the results of the 2014 point-in-time homeless count:
http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/02/12/nab-point-in-time-homeless-count-finds-180-people/

NEEDED: Warm clothing for children!

The Volunteer Center of Washington County is in need of children's clothes for 14 different large families. These families have children ranging in age from 18 months to 16 years. It is cold outside and they need items that have long sleeves, jeans or long skirts, socks, underwear, winter boots, coats, hats, etc. If you can help they can use anything we can spare. You can drop items off at 198 North 100 East. (435)674-5757

Sleeping bags are needed!

We are in need of sleeping bags for homeless individuals we have reached out to during our homeless count. If you have a sleeping bag that is clean and in good condition and one that you are not using,  we could definitely put it to good use.

Please stop by our office at 198 N 100 E or give us a call, 435-674-5757.  We appreciate your efforts.

Sincerely,

Kristen Clark

Volunteer Center Washington County

UPDATED INFO on Volunteer Opportunities for the Point-in-Time Homeless Count

Volunteer Opportunities for the Point-in-Time Homeless Count In Southern Utah
There are multiple opportunities and several ways to be part of the Southern Utah Point-in-Time Homeless Count. The project will take place over a three-day period from Thursday, January 30, 2014 through Saturday February 1, 2014.
During this week, we anticipate needing upwards of 220 volunteers, most of which will be needed to conduct the surveys with homeless individuals on the streets in various locations. However, there are other vital roles to support the efforts of the survey volunteers.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
SURVEY VOLUNTEERS: We need a minimum of 200 volunteers to work in teams of five to interview homeless individuals for the Point-in-Time count. This is ideally a three day commitment and, due to the manner in which the outreach is conducted, the same team of five should survey the assigned predetermined geographical area all three days. To be part of a survey team, you will need to participate in a 1 ½ hour training session related to volunteer expectations, interviewing homeless people, and completing the survey forms. The training session will be located at City Hall - 175 East 200 North.
 Wednesday, January 22 – Overview and Volunteer Training, 5:00 p.m.
 Thursday, January 30 – Meet with Team/Survey, 3:00 a.m.
 Friday, January 31 – Meet with Team/Survey, 3:00 a.m.
 Saturday, February 1 – Meet with Team/Survey, 3:00 a.m.
*Volunteer Headquarters will be located at the Community Resource Center/Volunteer
Center of Washington County - 198 North 100 East St. George, UT 84770
DATA ENTRY: We need volunteers to help enter the data collected after each survey day. This can be a one-shift or one-day commitment or multiple days and times. The data entry lab will be located at Volunteer Headquarters.
HEADQUARTERS VOLUNTEERS: We need volunteers during the Point-in-Time event to assist at volunteer headquarters each survey morning (food/supplies setup, transport coats, cleanup, etc.).
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE: Any collected donations will be distributed to the people who are homeless the mornings of the Point-in-Time Homeless Count. If you would like to sponsor or provide any of the following, please contact Carol Hollowell, Program Director at the Community Resource Center, at (435) 674-5757. Sponsorship/donation opportunities include:
 Donate cases/bottles of water.
 Sponsor free food coupons/vouchers that are provided to the surveyed homeless
 Donate and/or sponsor backpacks, blankets, socks, scarves, gloves, toiletries, nonperishable food, first-aid supplies, & $5 gift cards to purchase food/basic items.
 Sponsor breakfast and coffee for the survey volunteers.
If you know of unsheltered locations in your community where people who are homeless may congregate, please inform us! Email the address, landmark, or intersection of the known location to Carol Hollowell (chollowell@fivecounty.utah.gov) so that we may include these sites the mornings of our Homeless Count.
If you want to volunteer call us at (435) 674-5757 or go to our Facebook page (facebook.com/volcenter) to sign up! Also please help represent our cause by spreading the word and making sure others know about the Point-in-Time Homeless Count!

Did you know there are Homeless in St George?

Volunteers are still needed to be trained regarding the 'Point-In-Time' that will be taking place on January 30, 31, and February 1 to count (and distribute supplies to) the homeless in St George.

There will be another meeting for the Point in Time Homeless Count for anyone interested who was unable to attend this past Wednesday (see the previous post below). It is going to take place 

Tuesday January 28 at 5pm at the St George City Hall at 175 East 200 North. 

This event happens each year to assess numbers, survey, document and try to meet needs of the homeless in our area. We go in teams, document the homeless we talk to and provide them with food, blankets, coats, hats, etc.

Click on this link for more information: StGeorgeUtah.com

From the Volunteer Center ...

We need 200 volunteers for our Point In Time Team!

Sign up to help the homeless in Washington County during our Point In Time count.  We will be having a training meeting on Wednesday, January 22^ndat 5 pm at City Hall (175 E. 200 N.) to set up teams and establish team leaders.  Then we will be meeting at our office building (198 N. 100 E.) onJanuary 30^th, 31^st & February 1^st at 3 am to get teams together and go out and survey our homeless population.  If this doesn’t work for you, we also need help at our free homeless breakfast on January 30^th at 7 am at the Grace Episcopal Church at 1072 E. 900 S. in St. George.  Please use the Wufoo form on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/volcenter  or call our offices at 435-674-5757. Thanks!

Recycle Christmas Cards

Don't throw away Christmas cards!

 It's so sad taking down Christmas decorations. :(  But we can do some good as we pack up and store things for next year. Any Christmas cards (or cards from any occasion) can be sent to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, an organization that provides resources and care for children and families affected by abuse and neglect. As part of the program kids are taught about entrepreneurship by repurposing and reselling used cards. Send just the front of the card to:
St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

...or bring them on Sunday or drop them off to Kathryn or Valene and we'll send them all together. Happy New Year!!  :)

Dove Center current needs...

The Dove Center has sent an update of needs. They receive donations M-Th 9-5 at 1240 E. 100 S. #22 (behind Applebee's and Wingers) 435-628-1204
 (Call Kathryn or Valene or leave a comment below if you need help with pick up and delivery to the Dove Center).
Most needed everyday items:
Gift Cards: Costco, Target, WalMart, Smith's, gas and grocery stores, office and building supply stores, etc.
Recreational Gift Cards to provide activities for clients while in shelter: movies, restaurants, pool passes, ice-cream, mini golf, bowling, etc.
Furnace Filters: 14x30x1 and 20x25x1
Paper Towels, 13 gallon trash bags for kitchen, antibacterial wipes, lysol disinfectant spray, lysol toilet bowl cleaner, hair conditioner, NEW pillows, NEW women's pajamas or sweats (all sizes), NEW bras and women's underwear (all sizes), NEW women's socks, NEW child pajamas (size 10 and up, NEW child underwear (all sizes), NEW or gently used towels, NEW twin size blankets or quilts, ziplock storage bags (sandwich, quart, and gallon), Bus Tokens and Passes, POSTAGE STAMPS, colored and white paper (20, 24 and 28 weight), staplers, dry erase markers and eraser, bottled water, NEW tupperware containers, paints and crafts for children's activities. UTILITY WAGON (call 628-1204 for specs), 40-50" flat screen tv and dvd player, baby monitors (new or used), steam cleaner, new pots and pans, new bakeware, new knives, vacuum, laminator, yoga mats.
USED JEWELRY: Their 'reclaim the beauty' program helps the Dove Center fund important client services. Jewelry will be sold and the money used to provide vital programs.
FINANCIAL DONATIONS: Generous financial donations allow the doors to stay open. All services at the Dove Center are free.
The above are items needed most. If you have something else to donate call first to see if they can use it at this time. :) (Used clothes and household items can be taken to DI where Dove Center clients receive whatever they need.)

Head Start current needs...

SUU Head Start is a free part-time preschool for low-income families in Washington County. (190 students/families) Besides preschool education and socialization experiences for Head Start children, Head Start families are offered assistance in health and nutrition, literacy, parenting skills and social services. Their wish list consists of:
small children's scissors, crayons, glue sticks, construction paper, ABC books, file folder games, children's puzzles, blocks, science kits, gas cards to transport children to and from school ($15 increments), gently used clothing (children, women and men, coats for winter), used children's books for classroom libraries and for parents to take home.
You can also volunteer in any class. They have 18 students ages 3 & 4 with two teachers. Extra hands are always helpful. Sessions run 7:45am-4:30pm and you can stay an hour or two and read to the children or help with an art project. The sessions are 3 hours 45 minutes long.
You can stop by and visit anytime M-TH 8-4:30. 494 E. 900 S., (435)628-5641
Xochitl Cuara (family & community partnership coordinator) cuarax@suu.edu