The Delta Center's Street Outreach Program assists you in Alexander and Pulaski counties who are age 21 and under, and are homeless or at risk of being homeless.  There is a need for Safe Houses and Host Homes throughout  the area to help young people in need.

The Drop In Center is a safe, positive place for youth to hang out with their friends.  We provide a hot meal, friendly adults to talk to, interactive groups, referrals to other programs, arrangement for health care, assistance with homework, job training, community volunteer opportunities, interesting guest speakers, fun and educational trips, as well as pool tables, video games, foosball, and a computer room with high-speed internet.

SOP staff travel to Karnak, Mounds, Tamms and Ullin weekly and reach out to youth by providing small care packages and contact information for youth who want assistance.

SOP is currently working on building a volunteer program and a network of Safe Houses and Host Homes.  Volunteers would come on a regular basis to interact with youth and build an encouraging relationship with them.

A Safe House is a home, church, business, or other building where youth in the community may come to phone Street Outreach staff when they need help.  For example, if a young person is experiencing a difficult situation at home and they do not feel safe there, the youth would come to the Safe House to use a phone.  The young person would call Street Outreach staff, who would at that point assist the youth, ensuring their safety and meeting their immediate needs.

A Host Home is a home, church, business, or other building where a youth in the community can stay overnight when they have no other place to go.  A Host Home is temporary shelter for a child while Street Outreach staff work on obtaining a safe, longer term housing situation.

Opening up your home to young people in the community will help make a world of difference in their lives.  To become a Safe House or a Host Home, you need to meet Delta Center, Inc.'s requirements for volunteers.

The following is a checklist of everything required to become a volunteer for the Delta Center, Inc:

	Complete a volunteer application
	Complete and clear a DCFS Background Check
	Complete and clear an Illinois State Background Check
	Complete and pass a Drug Screen
	Complete and clear a TB Test
	Complete a volunteer training with Delta Center Staff
	If applicable, submit a copy of auto insurance coverage and driver's license
	If applicable, submit and clear a motor vehicle report.