The Touro volunteers were part of a group that recently ventured out after midnight to canvass parks, subways, and other public spaces as part of the New York City Department of Homeless Services’ (DHS) Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE).

The information gathered by HOPE volunteers is critical to the DHS’s ongoing efforts to help homeless people leave the streets for a better life, according to Professor Elhanan Marvit, MSW, LCSW, coordinator of the Brooklyn Division, Graduate School of Social Work at Touro College. Professor Marvit participated in the canvassing project with his colleague, Professor Allison Bobick, MSW, LCSW, Director of Student Advancement.

“Participating in the HOPE survey fits in with the core philosophy of both Touro College and the Graduate School of Social Work, one of ‘tikkun olam,’ or making the world a more just place,” said Professor Marvit. “It also enables our students to see firsthand what we discuss in class.”

Students, faculty, and volunteers who participated were Annalene Antonio, executive assistant to Graduate School of Social Work Dean Steven Huberman; Natalia Shtompel; Vera Bisikalo; Stephanie Surkin; Diana Tonkonog; Vera Tsikhanouskaya; and Esti Marcus. Also participating was Ritshell Verdier, an associate of Ms. Antonio’s.

“We appreciate Touro College’s volunteer spirit,” said Seth Diamond, NYC DHS commissioner. “By coming out and being the eyes and ears of the City for a night, they are making an investment in New York City’s homeless individuals. As future social workers, their commitment tonight is a demonstration of their promise. ”

The Touro College volunteers canvassed at a location in midtown Manhattan. Volunteers approached people they encountered to determine if they were experiencing unsheltered homelessness by asking a series of survey questions. People identified as homeless were then asked how many years they’ve been homeless, where they sleep, and where they take their meals. The volunteers also distributed outreach cards printed with important phone numbers for DHS, and offered transportation by van to homeless shelters.

Touro College’s Graduate School of Social Work’s Master of Social Work program is designed to train clinical social work practitioners to awaken and enliven the innate ability of individuals, families, groups and communities to learn to meet their own needs and sustain their own state of equilibrium, thereby enhancing human well-being. The program meets all academic requirements for both social work licenses: LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) and LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).

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Barbara Franklin 
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Barbara.franklin@touro.edu