So Others Might Eat, better known simply by the acronym S.O.M.E., is an amazing organization that provides food to those who are hungry in the Washington, DC community. In addition to providing meals, they also offer employment training programs, drug treatment and mental health services as well as providing affordable housing to those in need.
Another major initiative of SOME is providing assistance to the elderly. I know all about this because I volunteer with their monthly meal delivery program to seniors. The deliveries are done the third Saturday of eat month and the focus area is the SE quadrant of Washington, DC. They are always looking for volunteers to assist with the deliveries and other programs targeted to seniors. It's such a rewarding experience and I look forward to doing it each month.
Currently, they are in need of donations of wall units and air conditioners to be given to those seniors who are suffers in the heat due to the extreme summer temperatures. To find out more about this project, please click here.
My final plug...
SOME is participating in the Sears Chef Challenge for a chance to win $5,000. Please visit: www.searschefchallenge.com to vote for Chef Pam Oldes of DC.
To learn more about SOME, please visit their website www.some.org.
Showing posts with label volunteerism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteerism. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Paid Volunteer Opportunities in July
I received the email below and thought I would share. They are looking for PAID, yes I said PAID, volunteers. See the details below.
Counters with the Space Use Project (volunteers ages 18 and up) will help Prince George's Department of Parks and Recreation better understand how all of the spaces and rooms in community centers, senior centers, and nature centers are being used.
At 10 am, 2 pm and 8 pm on each day from July 11 to July 24, 2010, Counters with the Space Use Project will count and document the number of patrons using every room at one or two assigned facilities. Volunteers who complete 100% of their assigned counts and submit the documentation on time will receive a $100 gift card. Training is required and will be held on June 24, 10 am to noon. Background checks are required. This opportunity will be available again from October 17 to October 30, 2010.
Interested individuals can sign up to volunteer at https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?class=OppSearchResults&recruiterID=1059&interest=3995.
Visit http://www.pgparks.com/ for more information. For additional information, contact Teresa Gardner-Williams at (301) 864-6957, x23 or teresa.gardner-w@pgparks.com.
Counters with the Space Use Project (volunteers ages 18 and up) will help Prince George's Department of Parks and Recreation better understand how all of the spaces and rooms in community centers, senior centers, and nature centers are being used.
At 10 am, 2 pm and 8 pm on each day from July 11 to July 24, 2010, Counters with the Space Use Project will count and document the number of patrons using every room at one or two assigned facilities. Volunteers who complete 100% of their assigned counts and submit the documentation on time will receive a $100 gift card. Training is required and will be held on June 24, 10 am to noon. Background checks are required. This opportunity will be available again from October 17 to October 30, 2010.
Interested individuals can sign up to volunteer at https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?class=OppSearchResults&recruiterID=1059&interest=3995.
Visit http://www.pgparks.com/ for more information. For additional information, contact Teresa Gardner-Williams at (301) 864-6957, x23 or teresa.gardner-w@pgparks.com.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Junior League: Not Just for Ladies Who Lunch Anymore
I was going to begin this post with "Most people have heard of the Junior League..." but over the years I've realized that this is not the case. If you have heard of it, feel free to bypass the next introductory paragraph.
The Junior League is an organization of women committed to voluntarism. Many would say it's similar to sorority in that it brings together like-minded women who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. The Junior League was founded in 1903 by a young socialite and over the years became known as an organization of ladies who lunch (meaning rich women whose only daily commitment was to having lunch with their friends rather than have a job to go to) Over the last century, I'm proud to say that the Junior League has changed drastically.
I've been a member of the Junior League since 2003. It's hard to believe it's been that long. The Junior League is an excellent resource for professional women who are hoping to get more involved in their community, whether it's through direct service to a nonprofit organization or in-League (i.e. member development, public relations, fundraising).
Throughout my tenure in the Junior League, my placements (the name for your annual community service commitment) have revolved around working with the elderly. I've meet many amazing women through my time volunteering with our community partners, at fundraisers, and at various social events. I would highly recommend the Junior League to anyone woman who is trying to expand her network both professionally and socially. It's also a great way to become a nonprofit board member and forge relationships with nonprofit executives, if that is something you're interested in.
Every year the Junior League admits new women into their ranks. While I'm sure it's too late for the 2010-2011 year, it's not too late to start thinking about it for next year. Most leagues require you to attend an orientation, the one in DC fills up quickly so it's best to know someone who can inform you as to when it will be held. Also, in DC due to the high demand in membership, they've had a lottery to bring in new members for the past few years. It not all about who you know anymore, or so they say.
For more information about the Junior League as a whole, visit http://www.ajli.org/. To learn more about the Junior League of Washington, visit http://www.jlw.org.
The Junior League is an organization of women committed to voluntarism. Many would say it's similar to sorority in that it brings together like-minded women who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. The Junior League was founded in 1903 by a young socialite and over the years became known as an organization of ladies who lunch (meaning rich women whose only daily commitment was to having lunch with their friends rather than have a job to go to) Over the last century, I'm proud to say that the Junior League has changed drastically.
I've been a member of the Junior League since 2003. It's hard to believe it's been that long. The Junior League is an excellent resource for professional women who are hoping to get more involved in their community, whether it's through direct service to a nonprofit organization or in-League (i.e. member development, public relations, fundraising).
Throughout my tenure in the Junior League, my placements (the name for your annual community service commitment) have revolved around working with the elderly. I've meet many amazing women through my time volunteering with our community partners, at fundraisers, and at various social events. I would highly recommend the Junior League to anyone woman who is trying to expand her network both professionally and socially. It's also a great way to become a nonprofit board member and forge relationships with nonprofit executives, if that is something you're interested in.
Every year the Junior League admits new women into their ranks. While I'm sure it's too late for the 2010-2011 year, it's not too late to start thinking about it for next year. Most leagues require you to attend an orientation, the one in DC fills up quickly so it's best to know someone who can inform you as to when it will be held. Also, in DC due to the high demand in membership, they've had a lottery to bring in new members for the past few years. It not all about who you know anymore, or so they say.
For more information about the Junior League as a whole, visit http://www.ajli.org/. To learn more about the Junior League of Washington, visit http://www.jlw.org.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Community Service: I LOVE Old People!
I don't know what it is but I've always been fascinated with old people. I could be PC and say I love the elderly, senior citizens, or the wise, but when I say old people you know what I mean.
I remember my first time going to a Nursing Home. One of the youth groups I was a part of growing up was invited to sing Christmas carols for the residents. I remember being hesitant at first because I always thought of nursing homes as a hospital for old people and since hospitals freaked me out I was leery. When we went to sing and I saw the faces of all the seniors and how excited they were to have us, I instantly fell in love. They were so gracious and thanked us for spending time with them. That moment fueled my passion to work with the elderly.
In college, it seemed like all the rage was to be a part of Habitat for Humanity or to be a tutor. While I tried those things, I never got the same satisfaction as what came from that experience I had at the nursing home.
During the middle of my sophomore year in college, I had an epiphany. One night I stayed up researching programs that provided services to the elderly and became determined to start my own organization. I came across a program called Adopt-A-Grandparent and corresponded with the founder who was based in Atlanta for advice on starting my own program. That December, I along with another young lady and a couple of friends started the first collegiate chapter at Florida A&M University. Our mission was to provide companionship the the elderly through weekly visits each and every Saturday from 10-12 and included arts & crafts, playing games, pampering parties, even hosting a pageant.
The first interest meeting was a little sparse but I was enthusiastic about undertaking this project and that enthusiasm spread among those who came. Over the next two years we had over 200 students from FAMU & Florida State to serve as volunteers and went from going to one nursing home to having so many volunteers we divided them up and provided service to 3 senior living facilities in Tallahassee. Since then I've continued my work with seniors and it never fails to be a rewarding experience.
Time for my plug...Currently, I work with IONA Senior Services delivering meals one weekend a month to seniors, many of whom live independently, in Washington, DC. I've been doing it for nearly 3 years now and it continues to be a highlight in my life. If you're in DC and looking to give back, I would highly recommend volunteering with IONA. They are always in need of assistance from weekend meal delivery, to assisting with their art and fitness programs, or even going on trips with the adult day care. If you're elsewhere you can volunteer with your local Meals on Wheels, they're everywhere. You never know who you'll meet, one of those old people might change your life.
I remember my first time going to a Nursing Home. One of the youth groups I was a part of growing up was invited to sing Christmas carols for the residents. I remember being hesitant at first because I always thought of nursing homes as a hospital for old people and since hospitals freaked me out I was leery. When we went to sing and I saw the faces of all the seniors and how excited they were to have us, I instantly fell in love. They were so gracious and thanked us for spending time with them. That moment fueled my passion to work with the elderly.
In college, it seemed like all the rage was to be a part of Habitat for Humanity or to be a tutor. While I tried those things, I never got the same satisfaction as what came from that experience I had at the nursing home.
During the middle of my sophomore year in college, I had an epiphany. One night I stayed up researching programs that provided services to the elderly and became determined to start my own organization. I came across a program called Adopt-A-Grandparent and corresponded with the founder who was based in Atlanta for advice on starting my own program. That December, I along with another young lady and a couple of friends started the first collegiate chapter at Florida A&M University. Our mission was to provide companionship the the elderly through weekly visits each and every Saturday from 10-12 and included arts & crafts, playing games, pampering parties, even hosting a pageant.
The first interest meeting was a little sparse but I was enthusiastic about undertaking this project and that enthusiasm spread among those who came. Over the next two years we had over 200 students from FAMU & Florida State to serve as volunteers and went from going to one nursing home to having so many volunteers we divided them up and provided service to 3 senior living facilities in Tallahassee. Since then I've continued my work with seniors and it never fails to be a rewarding experience.
Time for my plug...Currently, I work with IONA Senior Services delivering meals one weekend a month to seniors, many of whom live independently, in Washington, DC. I've been doing it for nearly 3 years now and it continues to be a highlight in my life. If you're in DC and looking to give back, I would highly recommend volunteering with IONA. They are always in need of assistance from weekend meal delivery, to assisting with their art and fitness programs, or even going on trips with the adult day care. If you're elsewhere you can volunteer with your local Meals on Wheels, they're everywhere. You never know who you'll meet, one of those old people might change your life.
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