Volunteer With The HOPE Survey On January 27 To Help NYC’s Homeless

Every year, the Department of Homeless Services conducts the Homeless Population Outreach Estimate, or HOPE. Over the course of just one night, HOPE sends out 3,000 volunteers to gather critical information about the city’s homeless:

Why is HOPE important and what does DHS do with the results?
The HOPE Street Survey provides an estimate of the street homeless population, which helps us to evaluate and improve our services for unsheltered homeless people in New York City. Last year’s street survey, HOPE 2013, found the number of individuals living on the street down by 28 percent from 2005 – a powerful sign of progress in the City’s fight to overcome homelessness.

It’s a late night — this year’s event will be on Monday, January 27 from 10:30pm to 4am the following day. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, though they accept minors who are 16 and 17 who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

When you register, you will select a training site location. There are sites throughout the five boroughs — the closest to us are PS 241 at 976 President Street, just off of Washington Ave near the Brooklyn Museum, and PS 167 at 1025 Eastern Parkway off Schenectady Avenue, or a short subway ride away to PS 100 in Coney Island. It’s first come, first served, though, so if you have a place you’d prefer, sign up soon.

Check out the FAQs and then register here.

Photo by Ilya Boyandin