Youth Count Volunteer Responsibilities Description The Youth Count is reliant on the dedication of volunteers from the provider community and from the community at large. Individuals may volunteer to participate in a street team, at a Come and Be Counted site, or at the deployment site. Volunteer Responsibilities 1. Attend one-hour training on survey and youth engagement at Valley Youth House office. 2. Register and commit to attend at least one shift during the Youth Count- either as a street team member, at a Come and Be Counted site, or to assist with operations at the deployment site. 1. Street team shifts: 5am-10am or 2pm-7pm 2. Come and Be Counted shifts: determined by each site, but most likely 3-5 hour shifts between 9am and 7pm 3. Deployment site shifts: 3 hour shifts between 4:30am and 8pm 3. Administer surveys via tablets to youth ages 13-24 who lack stable housing and distribute gift cards to youth who complete valid surveys. 4. Provide guidance and direction for Youth Guides and oversee handling of tablets and incentives. 5. Maintain confidentiality regarding survey participants and Youth Guides. 6. Follow directions outlined in training and contact Valley Youth House with any issues or concerns. Qualifications Youth Count Volunteers shall be mature individuals with the ability to interact with diverse populations, including, but not limited to, LGBTQ+ youth, youth of color, and youth exiting the dependent care system. They will possess sound judgement and will interact with Youth Guides and youth participants in a respectful, supportive, and professional manner. Street team volunteers must be comfortable navigating public transportation in Philadelphia and must be able to stand and/or walk for up to four hours at a time. Description of Youth Count Each year, Philadelphia performs a Point-in-Time Count in January of all homeless individuals living on the streets, unsheltered, or in temporary shelter housing. The purpose is to estimate the size of the population in need of housing and critical life supports, and the Point-in-Time Count is the only statistical estimate of street homelessness currently being conducted. The data from this Point-in-Time Count is sent to HUD and this data informs the resources that Philadelphia receives to serve individuals experiencing homelessness. Given that homelessness can look much different for a young person than an adult, the Youth Count was created to help accurately capture the population. Led by Valley Youth House, a coalition including Covenant House PA, Mazzoni Center, Philadelphia FIGHT, Youth Service Inc, and other local youth service providers works to promote the Youth Count in the community and facilitate the quarterly event.