volunteers

Volunteer Voices – Food For All – DC

By Prince Of Petworth

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Volunteer Voices is written by Sarah Katz-Hyman. Sarah is a student at University of Maryland and lives in College Park. She previously wrote about Back on My Feet.

This column focuses on service organizations in D.C. – what they do, their history and how you can volunteer. If you know of any service agencies in D.C. or have a place where you regularly volunteer, please share your experiences in the comments below and those agencies could be featured in this column.

This week’s organization is  Food For All-DC located at the Universalist National Memorial Church at 1810 16th Street, NW.

What They Do:

Food For All-DC (FFA) is a service organization that provides meals and delivers groceries to homebound people around D.C. FFA is one of two Food For All programs in the country; the other is based in Los Angeles. FFA has a registry of clients that they receive from other service organizations or which they get directly from clients’ inquiries. Each week members of the organization out and buy the food and items their clients need in preparation for delivery each Saturday. Through a grant from the DC Emergency Food Program, FFA buys most of the food from the Capital Area Food Bank. Each week they deliver to 50-60 households, serving over 200 people in all four quadrants of the city. Every Saturday a group of volunteers meets at the Universalist National Memorial Church on 16th Street, a little before 9 a.m., to start packing up the food. By 9:30 all the boxes are packed and are delivered around the city by volunteers. Typically all the delivereries are completed by noon. Food For All’s clients include people who are homebound for a variety of reasons, including  physical and mental disabilities, low income or single mothers.

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Volunteer Voices – Back on My Feet

By Prince Of Petworth

Back on My Feet
Photo of St. Patrick’s Day 8K earlier in March, courtesy of Back on My Feet

Volunteer Voices is written by Sarah Katz-Hyman. Sarah is a student at University of Maryland and lives in College Park. She previously wrote about Christ House in Adams Morgan

This column focuses on service organizations in D.C. – what they do, their history and how you can volunteer. If you know of any service agencies in D.C. or have a place where you regularly volunteer, please share your experiences in the comments below and those agencies could be featured in this column.

This week’s organization is Back on My Feet located at 122 C St., NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20001.

What They Do:

Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a service organization that uses running to provide support and resources for currently homeless men and women. BoMF uses running to encourage those experiencing homelessness to gain confidence and use running as a healthy outlet. Back on My Feet’s hope is that through running as a team, participants will gain the skills and confidence to take steps to find a more permanent living situation and a job. BoMF has 10 chapters all over the country, including chapters in D.C. and Baltimore. BoMF works with local residential facilities (shelters, missions, halfway houses, etc.) that support homeless men and women to start “teams.” Teams are made up of volunteers, homeless men and woman, and BoMF representatives. These teams meet three times a week at 5:30 a.m. to go on runs together. All team members must sign a “Dedication Contract” committing to showing up for the runs, being on time, respecting themselves and supporting teammates. After thirty days in the program, participants who maintain a 90% attendance rate move to the “Next Steps” part of the program. In “Next Steps,” participants meet with a BoMF staff member to plan a road map to a better life. BoMF has financial aid for members to address barriers including tools for employment, education, security deposits, etc. Once participants find employment and housing they become alumni members, many of whom still join in on team runs.

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Rock Creek Conservancy Seeks Volunteers for Extreme Cleanup on April 6

By Prince Of Petworth

rock_creek_park_clean_up
Photo by PoPville flickr user afagen

From a press release:

The fifth annual Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 6, from 9 am to 12 pm. Rock Creek Conservancy is seeking volunteers to remove trash and debris at over 70 locations along Rock Creek in Washington, DC, and Montgomery County, MD. Click here for a map of cleanup locations and signup information.

The three-hour cleanup will bring together kids, families, and adults of all ages to pick up litter from the creek and woodlands.

“People love Rock Creek and are really eager to be involved,” according to Conservancy Executive Director, Beth Mullin. “They can make a difference right here, and it’s a fun way for kids and adults to be outside and give back to their community. Our parks are now visibly and measurably cleaner, but they still need a spring cleaning.”

People interested in volunteering can find a cleanup location and sign up at the Rock Creek Conservancy website, rockcreekconservancy.org.

During each of the past four years, volunteers have fanned out in parks bordering the 33-mile length of Rock Creek and collected over 2,500 bags of litter and tons of assorted junk, including a Canadian flag on a flagpole, a parking meter full of coins, and a Vespa motorbike. During the Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup, volunteers carrying colorful trash bags can be seen for miles in Rock Creek parks.

Volunteer Voices – Christ House

By Prince Of Petworth

Volunteer_voices
Photo courtesy of Christ House

Volunteer Voices is written by Sarah Katz-Hyman. Sarah is a student at University of Maryland and lives in College Park.

This column will focus on service organizations in D.C. – what they do, their history and how you can volunteer. If you know of any service agencies in D.C. or have a place where you regularly volunteer, please share in the comments below and they could be featured in this column.

This week’s organization is Christ House located at 1717 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009.

What They Do:

Christ House provides 24-hour medical care to sick, homeless men and women in D.C. Christ House is a medical recovery facility, which means it fills a gap in the health care system for homeless men and women who are not sick enough to be in a hospital but too sick to be in a shelter or on the street. Located in Adams Morgan, Christ House has capacity for 34 patients, sees between 240-270 admissions a year, and in its 28-year history has seen over 7,500 admissions. In 2012 the average length of stay for a patient was 42 days, which was up from 39 days in 2011. Christ House has seen its length of stay steadily increase over time. Staff members point to several causes of this increase including patients being sicker and the lack of good discharge options (particularly the lack of affordable housing). The main illnesses Christ House sees are hepatitis C, cancer, injuries related to exposure (frostbite and burns), diabetes, assault-related injuries, heart and kidney disease, and HIV/AIDS. In addition to medical care, Christ House has many support services for patients including meals, patient activities, case management, and addiction services. The overarching goal at Christ House is that patients will leave with their health stabilized and with the education and tools necessary to manage their illnesses. The further goal is that physical, mental, and emotional improvements will allow patients to live independently in the community and break the cycle of homelessness. Christ House is funded through a combination of grants from private foundations, contributions from individual donors, churches, and other community organizations, and government grants and contracts.

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Looking to Volunteer on Christmas?

By Prince Of Petworth

From a DCJCC press release:

Getting into the holiday spirit isn’t only about buying gifts; it’s also about giving back. The Washington DC Jewish Community Center will host its 26th annual D25 Day of Service event on December 25 offering people of all faiths a chance to take part in a day of volunteering with 50 local social service agencies across the area. One thousand volunteers are expected to participate in projects that will affect more than 10,000 people.

Teams of volunteers, supplied with gifts, desserts, games and crafts (organized by the DCJCC), go to one of more than 50 social service agencies in the DC Metropolitan Area. Groups may participate in projects such as throwing a holiday party for families in need or serving a meal at a local food shelter. Senior homes often ask volunteers to run a game of bingo, visit with the residents or serve lunch. Some DCJCC volunteers will deliver gifts and food packages to homeless residents. Volunteers will also paint community spaces that need brightening. In addition, there will be projects based at the DCJCC for volunteers who do not wish to travel and lots of family-friendly options.

The projects, all lasting from 2-4 hours, begin at staggered times during the day and range from dawn, mid-morning or early afternoon. Volunteers can pick a project that will fit in with their interests and schedule. The DCJCC will also hold a blood drive during the day for volunteers who would like to give either before or after their service projects.

Registration for D25 is $18, plus a $2 service charge to cover credit card fees. The registration helps cover the cost of supplies for all projects such as paint, food, gifts, and other materials needed to serve thousands of people in need on Christmas Day. A number of complimentary slots are available on a first-come/first-serve basis. If the program fee of $18 is an impediment to your participation, please contact the DCJCC to inquire about arrangements.

Volunteers can sign up online at www.washingtondcjcc.org/d25. The DCJCC offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year to help revitalize area homeless shelters, prepare food for the homeless, donate blood and participate in other projects that serve area residents in need.

Dear PoPville – Looking for suggestions on what to do on thanksgiving solo?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

Dear PoPville,

Unfortunately thanksgiving is coming up and I will be spending the holiday alone. I don’t want to stay in all day, so I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what to do on thanksgiving solo?

I have tried in the past calling up shelters to volunteer on Thanksgiving, but it seems that that day and Christmas are always on full. I usually call well in advance, but to no avail.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

President Lincoln’s Cottage Gets Some Love

By Prince Of Petworth


New Plantings on the South Lawn.

From the folks at Lincoln’s Cottage:

“On March 31st, President Lincoln’s Cottage, on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, held a preservation day event made possible by Penn Mutual. 70 Penn Mutual volunteers came out to perform an array of projects including laying sod, painting, waxing, paving, mulching, and the planting of long blooming native plants. Veterans from the Home were invited to watch the work and enjoy refreshments and snacks on the South Lawn of the Cottage. Additionally, volunteers prepared and dispersed 250 gift bags to the veterans throughout the Armed Forces Retirement Home.”

Nice!


President Lincoln’s Cottage Director Erin Carlson mast thanks volunteers.

The 5pm Post – Volunteer opportunity with TEAM TO END AIDS

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

My organization is looking for volunteers to help out at the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon and Half Marathon on March 17th. We’ve got a water stop at North Capitol and Bryant Streets and could use some help from the community! Please see below for the announcement. Thank you so much!

The TEAM TO END AIDS (T2) endurance training program is currently recruiting volunteers to represent T2 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday, March 17th.

T2 will be hosting a WATER STOP at Bryant and North Capitol Streets. Volunteers here will assist with the set-up of the station and the distribution of water and Gatorade to runners of the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA race. For planning purposes, volunteers will be needed from approximately 6:30 am until 10:30 am. Come out and support runners from across DC and the nation as they run through OUR neighborhoods! Experience the excitement of a world class event in our own backyard.

If you have additional questions or would like to sign up as a T2 volunteer please contact Anna Bavier at 202.408.4848 x 260 or via email at [email protected].

On behalf of AIDS United and the Washington AIDS partnership, thank you!

The 5pm Post – Give Blood on Thursday and Get a Cupcake

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

Firefly Restaurant and Hotel Madera will host a blood drive to benefit the American Red Cross on Thursday, January 19th between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Chef Daniel Bortnick will provide a blood sugar-boosting Red Velvet Cupcake treat, as a thank you to everyone who donates. The cupcake is a staple on Bortnick’s dessert menu and is made with cream cheese frosting and chocolate pearls. Donors can conveniently schedule appointments online by clicking here.

Firefly is located at 1310 New Hampshire Avenue, NW.

The 5pm Post – Want to Volunteer MLK Day?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Glyn Lowe Photos

From an email:

Monday, January 16, (10am-1pm, 1pm-4pm or 10am-4pm)

Sign up today for our We the People-MLK Day projects.  Please register ASAP!  Spots fill quickly.   All volunteers 14 and over are welcome.

You will be placed on one of these two projects:

Rachael’s Women Center
One of two day shelters for homeless people in DC, the center provides a warm community space, two hot meals, access to showers and laundry services and a sense of home.  Help us rehab the building by painting, installing shelving, and tearing up carpet.
Rising Sun Baptist Church Community Center
Once complete, the center will house four of the church’s ministries including a food pantry, clothes drive, HIV/AIDS testing, and activities for children of incarcerated parents.  We will be installing flooring, cabinets and more.

To participate, a $25 tax-deductible donation is requested.  This donation is matched by an anonymous Yachad donor.

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