This volunteer position provides an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people in Whatcom County. Youth Point-in-Time Count Volunteers collect information by doing surveys with individuals between the ages of 13 and 24, with a specific focus on determining the number of young people currently experiencing homelessness. Northwest Youth Services is able to use the data collected from the surveys to improve services and address the needs of vulnerable youth more effectively. This data collection happens on a single day in order to avoid duplication and to get a ‘snapshot’ of youth vulnerability on a single day. This year’s Youth Point-in-Time Count will be held on Friday July 22nd, 2016.
Volunteers MUST attend one of the following training sessions at the 1020 N State St office:
- Monday, July 18th 3:00 pm
- Monday, July 18th 6:00 pm
- Tuesday July 19th 3:00 pm
- Tuesday July 19th 6:00 pm
Each session is one hour long.
Responsibilities:
- Represent NWYS professionally to the community;
- Respond appropriately to meet mandated reporting requirements;
- Interact appropriately and professionally with youth using Harm Reduction and Positive Youth Development Approaches;
- Act with integrity and dependability;
- Walk or stand for up to four hours at a time;
- Read survey questions out loud and write answers as necessary;
- Be comfortable asking questions about gender and sexual identity;
- Be sensitive and responsive to diversity;
- Be able to work in partnership with team members;
- Be a consistent, safe, and non-judgmental role model for young people;
- Keep Queer Youth Project Coordinator informed of activities.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be 21 or older.
- Must pass background checks.
- Must have a negative TB test.
- Must have previously gone through or being willing to go through both the NWYS volunteer process.
- CPR/First Aid/ blood borne pathogens certifications preferred.
- Ability to be sensitive and responsive to diversity.
- Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
- Full understanding of the CPS reporting requirements (provided in Volunteer Training)
- Be able to professionally collaborate and communicate with community partners.
- Working knowledge of issues facing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth, terminology relating to this populations, or a willingness to learn.
- A passion for Northwest Youth Services’ mission to increase self-sufficiency; a belief in the capacity for a young person to change; an interest in ending youth homelessness.
