One of the most frequent questions we get in our inbox? Places to volunteer.

For our service-minded readers, Project Homeless Connect KC (PHCKC) is just around the corner, and it's one of the best annual opportunities to help KC's unhoused population. Here's how you can help on Tuesday, May 21 at the Gregg/Klice Community Center.

About PHCKC

A 2020 count by the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness reported that over 1,700 Kansas Citians experience homelessness nightly — a number that's only increased since then, according to PHCKC co-founder Emma Brook.

To help improve access to support services across the metro, reStart Inc. and PHCKC partnered to host a free, one-day event to coordinate the efforts of support agencies + individual volunteers. As of 2024, they've kept it going for the past 10 years.

Guests will have access to medical, vision, and dental care, employment + housing assistance, ID procurement, and nutrition services. How does it all come together? This is where you come in.

Photographers provide guests with headshots for their resumes. | Photo via PHCKC

Volunteer

PHCKC is 100% volunteer planned, led + executed. Some specialized roles require certain experience — for example, health care workers can sign up to help take vitals — but most volunteers will be provided with all the training they need prior to their shift.

For our people people: PHCKC has the highest need for "navigators." Volunteer navigators will be paired one-to-one with guests to discuss their needs + direct them to the correct services. Browse open positions and register.

Provide a service

Are you a service provider able to provide day-of health screenings, legal assistance, resume workshops, pet resources, photography, or anything else that may help KC's unhoused community? Check out PHCKC's service needs to see how you can be of use.

There's always work to be done — check out our running list of volunteer opportunities across the metro for more ways to give back.