Help address homelessness in our community.

Sign-up to volunteer for the 2022 Point in Time Count on February 24, 2022.

On February 24, 2022, from 3:30 AM – 10 AM PST, volunteers across Kern County will come together to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in our communities. The Point in Time (PIT) Count provides a snapshot view of homelessness in our cities and county. We depend on an accurate PIT Count to receive adequate funding and ensure proper allocation of resources and energy to address homelessness.

Volunteers are the lynchpin of our PIT Count. We depend on hundreds of everyday citizen volunteers to canvass our communities and make sure every one of our neighbors experiencing homelessness is counted.

Here's How You Can Help

1. Sign Up

Fill out and submit the form below to sign-up as a PIT Count Volunteer.

2. Attend Training

All volunteers are required to attend a mandatory 2-hour training, regardless of past PIT Count experience. If you weren’t contacted already, you can CLICK HERE to view a list of training dates, times and locations, which will be conducted in-person and hybrid.

3. Show Up

3:30AM – 10AM PST

Show up bright and early put your training to use and help us count the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community.

PIT Count Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know if my Volunteer Registration was accepted?

You will receive a confirmation email.

I registered last year, do I have to register again this year?

Yes, volunteers need to register each year.  This helps the Point in Time Count committee keep a current and up-to-date list of volunteer contact information.

What if I cannot make it to any of the training dates?

All volunteers must attend training before being placed on a team.  If you are unable to attend any of the training dates, we encourage you to sign up again next year.

I attended training last year, do I need to attend training again this year?

Each year parts of the survey tool and the process change.  Although some information will be repeated, it is important that you attend training each year, so you are informed of the changes.

I want to volunteer in a specific part of Bakersfield, can you send me to a requested area?

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for specific locations within a city. When building the teams, we work very hard to ensure they are balanced for everyone’s safety. A balanced team includes a driver, someone who is bilingual, someone with experience working with the homeless, and mixed genders, among other considerations. When you register to volunteer, you will be asked which city you would like to survey in, but not which part of the city.

I would like to be on the same team as my family members or friends. Is that possible?

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to accommodate requests for specific team compositions. When building the teams, we work very hard to ensure they are balanced for everyone’s safety. A balanced team includes: a driver, someone who is bilingual, someone with experience working with the homeless, and mixed genders, among other considerations.

How are we going to do a PIT Count during a pandemic?

During the PIT count, we will adhere to the following COVID-19 safety basics:
• Decrease face-to-face interaction with clients
• Decrease the number of volunteers who need to work in physical proximity
• Provide personal protective equipment for volunteers
• Design volunteer processes that minimize close contact

For more information, email PITCount@bkrhc.org.

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