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Volunteer Leader Newsletter April 2011
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Another Reason to Celebrate in April
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Dear Volunteer Leaders,
Besides the gorgeous spring weather, jazz appreciation month, and the annual day reserved for playing jokes on friends & family, April is also a month to celebrate volunteers.
As Volunteer Leaders, your efforts mean a great deal to the community partners you support, the people you work with, and the volunteers you lead!
You also mean a great deal to us! You make it possible for a modest staff to support 40 ongoing volunteer projects in Los Angeles happening 90 times per month. Our impact in this wonderful city would not be possible without you.
National Volunteer Week is officially April 10th - April 16th. During this week, we will be sending a symbol of appreciation to all of our active Volunteer Leaders.
For now, just a heads up & a tip of the hat!
Sincerely,
Gil Gonzales & the L.A. Works staff
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Just a few reminders on using our new volunteer system, HandsOn Connect.
* There are a number of bugs in the new system - please let me know if you receive any odd emails, notifications or volunteer inquiries.
* Remember to email your volunteers from the VL Portal a day or two before your project. Include the parking/entrance directions in the "Special Directions" section at the bottom of the pop-up email template.
* If you receive an email from a volunteer through the public website, the message is currently coming from L.A. Works (Debbie Brutchey). When you respond to these volunteer inquiries, please cut/paste the volunteer's email address - do not hit "reply".
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Volunteer Leader in Focus:
Jackie Kloeppel
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Jackie Kloeppel has been leading with dedication and passion for L.A. Works for over two years. As the leader of the Union Rescue Mission meal service project, Jackie has done an amazing job of orienting and inspiring volunteers every Tuesday evening, leading them to make sure that individuals and families at the Mission received their meals with efficiency and dignity.
Jackie regularly attends our social events, making them much brighter, as well as our trainings and committee meetings, where she shares her optimistic perspective.
Jackie is full of positive energy and a love for service. It is inspiring to be around her, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have her leading with us.
Below are some questions that Jackie has kindly answered for us – thanks so much Jackie!
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Where were you born?
I was born in Glendale, and lived in the Los Angeles area until I was a teenager. I then lived in Canada and the United Kingdom before making my way back to California.
Most interesting fact about you?
I became passionate about volunteering when at the age of 16, I started volunteering at the Alberta Children’s Hospital once a week for 3 years. At the same time, I volunteered once a week at a Brain Rehabilitation Center implementing a customized rehabilitation program to a specific client.
Favorite thing about the project you lead?
Getting to meet a diverse group of volunteers each week and being able to learn more about the lives of both the guests we serve and the participants in the URM's program; their courage and strength amaze me!
Top tip for leading volunteers in a project?
Make sure you engage every volunteer that participates! From greeting them, answering questions, inspiring them and recognizing their participation, it all goes a long way. When in doubt, just add humor.
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Remembrance: Mark Meinhardt
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With his humor, storytelling, and love for life, Mark Meinhardt left a big impression. Sadly, after a brief battle with cancer, Mark passed away on the morning of February 28th, 2011.
Mark served as L.A. Works’ Corporate Relations Liaison for many years. He worked hard to recruit sponsorship to support our day-of-service events like MLK Day and L.A. Works Day. Many of you may have worked along side Mark at these events, or chatted it up with him as he worked the crowd!
Because of Mark’s hard work, our events and projects were able to be successful, and schools and communities throughout Los Angeles were brightened. Mark believed sincerely in service, and we honor the contribution that he made to our organization and to our city.
Mark left behind his wife, Becky, and son, Nick. We have set up a scholarship fund to support Nick and his mom – if you would like to contribute, you can send a check to: 570 W. Ave 26, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90042. Please make the check out to L.A. Works. We will make sure that 100% of any contributions are passed along to Mark’s family.
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* Saturday, April 23rd
1pm - 3pm
* Saturday, April 9th
9am - 12pm
* Saturday, May 28th
9am - 12pm
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Adoptions
3rd Wed, 7pm - 9pm
Volunteers support the women at this emergency shelter by offering companionship, conversation and pampering.
1st Sat or Sun,
10am - 12pm
Volunteers gather to support seniors by engaging in thoughtful & creative social activities at this senior facility in Culver City.
4th Sat or Sun,
10am - 12pm
Volunteers gather to support seniors by engaging in thoughtful & creative social activities at this senior facility in Alhambra (East L.A.)
3rd Sat, 9am - 12pm
Volunteers help sort, shelve and stack food donations for distribution to agencies serving the hungry throughout L.A.
3rd Thurs, 8am - 12:30pm
Volunteers cook and prepare nutritious meals that will later be delivered to clients in L.A. County affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
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L.A. Works would like to thank all of the volunteer leaders who stepped forward in the past month to adopt or sub for an L.A. Works managed project. Thanks so much!!!
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Tameara Willis
Meal Service@
Union Rescue Mission
Andrea Yamsuan
Lifting Senior Spirits @ Culver Village
Assisted Living
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Substitutions
Korey Wyatt
TreePeople Park TLC
Andrea Yamsuan
Lifting Senior Spirits @ Culver Village
Assisted Living
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