Recognizing the worth and dignity of each person, HOPES helps people end their homelessness. The vast majority of people who become homeless in Racine go directly to shelter. However, there is a smaller number of people who either cannot or do not wish to enter shelter for various reasons. HOPES’ street outreach teams go out at night to serve these people where they live on the streets.

Engaging with someone who is homeless and living on the streets often starts with a friendly hello and a warm burrito or coffee. HOPES’ street outreach teams build relationships of trust over time that connect people to services and housing, ending their homelessness. Street Outreach Volunteers are a part of that.

Each volunteer is a member of a 2-3 person team that serves one night per week (usually from 9 p.m. to midnight). The teams locate and engage with people who are living on the streets (unsheltered). Training is provided before starting with a team, as well as regular mentoring, and briefings.

Interested in Becoming a Street Outreach Volunteer?

Street outreach is a rewarding and fulfilling way to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable residents, but it is definitely not for everyone. It requires walking at night (in the dark) in places that may include wooded areas while carrying light supplies. Street outreach is an incredible service opportunity that requires commitment, compassion, consistency, and a little bit of courage. It is like no other volunteer experience in Racine. If you have never done street outreach, it is probably very different from what you are imagining. If you think you might be interested, contact us to find out more about it.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STREET OUTREACH VOLUNTEERS