Organizations Receive Funding for National Volunteer Week Projects

As a part of New York State’s Volunteer Generation initiative, the newly formed Regional Volunteer Center of the Southern Tier has made $2,000 in grants to local organizations participating in the National Volunteer Week. This diverse group of projects will allow organizations throughout the region to celebrate National Volunteer Week through community service, volunteer recognition, and education.

 

“Volunteers are one of the most valuable resources that nonprofits have. They serve on boards, provide direct services, raise money, and educate the community on the needs in the region,” explains Patrick Rogers, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Services. “We are so happy to provide this funding to allow our local nonprofits to recognize and better utilize volunteers during National Volunteer Week.”

 

After reviewing all of the proposals, the Steering Committee of the Regional Volunteer Center of the Southern Tier chose to fund the following programs:

 

Broome County:

Clean Innovative Transformation Initiative (CITI) Project, Binghamton: To support their Curbside Painting Project which will engage volunteers to pain house numbers onto sidewalks which will allow emergency vehicles to find houses more efficiently.

Special Olympics, Vestal: To recognize the work done by Vestal High School students with Special Olympics participants.

Chemung County:

Near Westside Neighborhood Association, Elmira: To support a volunteer work day at the Victorian Row Park & Community Garden.

RSVP of Chemung County, Elmira: To recognize the more than 400 senior volunteers placed in organizations throughout Chemung County.

Southside Community Center, Elmira: To support a project with the Kiwanis Club to repair and update the Community Center.

Chenango County:

Catholic Charities of Chenango County, Norwich: To promote volunteerism and recognize volunteers by creating t-shirts.

Schuyler County:

Schuyler Head Start, Montour Falls: To support a  volunteer project that will create a sensory garden for their children.

Steuben County:

Almond Twentieth Century Club Library, Almond: To support a volunteer project that will update their library entrance.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County, Bath: To gather their many volunteers together for the first time, recognize their work, and engage them more.

Steuben County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Bath: To thank almost 800 Senior Volunteers for their service in organizations throughout Steuben County.

Tompkins County:

FISH Friends in Service Helping, Ithaca: To gather together and recognize all of the work their volunteers do.

SPCA of Tompkins County, Ithaca: To support their week-long volunteer celebration to recognize and educate their volunteers.

Multi-County:

Community Dispute Resolution Center, Ithaca: To honor the Center’s volunteer mediators in Tompkins, Chemung, and Schuyler Counties.

The Regional Volunteer Center of the Southern Tier is a new collaboration which promotes and enhances local volunteer efforts. Working with local nonprofits, the Center’s goal is to build the volunteer infrastructure in the region so that more people are able to make a difference. It is led by the Institute for Human Services, the United Way of Broome County, and United Way of Tompkins County. To learn more about the volunteer center or to search for opportunities dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211helpline.org/givehelp.  

 

Funding for the National Volunteer Week mini-grants has been made possible by a grant through the New York State Office of National and Community Service.

 

About the Institute for Human Services   

The Institute for Human Services is a non-profit management support organization founded in 1984. The Institute provides management support, information and referral, organizational development, research and technology services to planners, funders and providers serving the Southern Tier of New York State. Support for its 2-1-1 HELPLINE Give Help project is provided by the United Way of the Southern Tier. For more information, visit www.ihsnet.org.

 

About the United Way of Broome County

The mission of United Way of Broome County is support the development of Broome County as a community where the health and welfare needs of all people are met equitably and thoroughly regardless of race, religion, or economic status. Working through 30 local partner agencies, United Way supports about 75 programs in the areas of education, income, and health, which are the building blocks for a good life. For more information, visit www.unitedwaybroome.org.

 

About the United Way of Tompkins County

The United Way of Tompkins County’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities. Since 1921, UWTC has supported individuals and families in our communities. United Way is volunteer focused and results-driven, working year-round to address community conditions and create lasting solutions. For more information, visit www.uwtc.org/volunteer.

 

If you have any questions about the efforts in your area please feel free to contact your local area representative.  Contact information for each of the three local representatives is listed below.

 

Eastern District (Broome, Chenango, Delaware, and Tioga Counties)

Phill Ginter, Director, Community Impact & Engagement, United Way of Broome County

Phone: 2-1-1 or (800) 901-2180, Email: pginter@uwbroome.org

 

Northern District (Tompkins County)

Meg Cole, Chief Program and Information Services Officer, United Way of Tompkins County

Phone:  (607) 272-6286, Email: mcole@uwtc.org

 

Western District (Chemung, Steuben, and Schuyler Counties)

Anna Brennan-Curry, Manager of Communications & Volunteer Support, Institute for Human Services

Phone: 2-1-1 or (800) 346-2211, Email: brennancurrya@ihsnet.org