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Boulder County, Colo. - Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC) - a coalition of multiple government entities including Boulder County, City of Boulder, City of Longmont, along with nonprofits Bridge House Path to Home, Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement (HOPE), and Boulder Shelter for the Homeless - is seeking volunteers at multiple homeless shelter locations in Longmont and Boulder, and at the COVID-19 Recovery Center.

There is a current need for volunteers to help with checking in clients, serving food, handing out bedding and shower essentials, monitoring common areas such as showers and parking lot areas, and aiding in health screens as needed. Shelters are staffed 24-7 and volunteer shifts are flexible for those interested in committing time.The four homeless shelters in Boulder County conduct daily screenings for clients amid COVID-19 concerns and identify individuals who require further care.

On March 20, the COVID-19 Recovery Center (CRC) opened for unhoused individuals at the East Boulder Community Center to serve homeless individuals who appear to show symptoms of the virus and who will require further testing. The response team at the CRC works under the direction of the Emergency Operations Center for Boulder County. A call for volunteers at the CRC was made earlier this month. CRC receives technical support from local shelters, Mental Health Partners (MHP), the Medical Reserve Corps, and Boulder County Public Health.

Boulder County Public Health and HSBC are coordinating directly with homeless shelters and services on protocols regarding appropriate cleaning, housing individuals, and locations for individuals to recover from COVID-19. Additional protocols have been identified to decrease communal spread and identify symptomatic individuals early. All staff and volunteers will receive training and Personal Protective Equipment (gloves and masks) at the CRC adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Staff and volunteers will remain at recommended distances from clients.

Community members who would like to volunteer at any one of the shelters or at the CRC can sign up at www.helpcoloradonow.org. Volunteers will be connected to Boulder County’s Volunteer Management team within the Boulder County Emergency Operations Center.

HSBC provides an innovative approach to homelessness in an integrated service system that combines a coordinated entry process with the provision of timely and appropriate supportive and housing services to assist people in moving out of homelessness. For more information about HSBC, please visit bouldercounty.gov/departments/community-services/homeless/ or contact Heidi Grove at hgrove@bouldercounty.org.