Mesa County, CO – There’s a new community effort to
connect volunteers with local agencies and nonprofits. The new website called “Get
Connected” aims to help people find service organizations that need volunteers
and donations. It also lets agencies promote their needs.
United Way
of Mesa County has been collaborating with Western Colorado 2-1-1 on this
project. The user-friendly site matches
volunteers with opportunities that align with their interests and availability. Volunteer users can sign up to
receive notifications right to their email when there are needs at their
favorite organizations.
“We always
have people asking us how they can get involved and that brings up a lot of
questions. What are you interested in? What are your available hours? It’s just
never been simple,” United Way of Mesa County’s Executive Director Julie
Hinkson said. “With ‘Get Connected’ we’re excited to give them a place that
will do that automatically.”
“It is a natural fit to have ‘Get Connected’ housed within the 2-1-1
website. 2-1-1 is the place to go to find community resources and now there is
the added dimension of volunteer opportunities as well. Not only does ‘Get
Connected’ link the community to volunteer opportunities, but it also assists
agencies and organizations that may not be able to hire a full time person to
manage volunteer recruitment,” Western Colorado 2-1-1’s Director Christie
Higgins said.
On the
agency side, users can create profiles that allow them to tell their stories
and reach community members who are passionate about the service they provide.
They can also list events such as fundraisers.
HomewardBound says it’s excited to potentially recruit volunteers
through the site. “(It’s) another great way to get involved in our community as
we continue encouraging a pathway home.”
“Get Connected” will do more
than just create matches among the service community and citizens; it hopes to foster
relationships with consistent volunteers.
Diverse opportunities currently listed online include: Riverfront
Trail System Patrol with Grand Junction Parks and Rec, Patient and Family
Support at HopeWest, and Food Delivery Drivers at Gray Gourmet. More than 30
organizations currently have profiles.
Responding to needs is easy and can change a life. By getting people, nonprofits and
businesses to work together, our area can be improved.
Media Contact: Honora Swanson Bober,
United Way of Mesa County
970-243-5364 or honora@uwmesacounty.org
970-243-5364 or honora@uwmesacounty.org