|
|
|
Our Mission:
InnVision is a primary gateway for homeless families and individuals seeking shelter and resources that lead to self-sufficiency. Our comprehensive system of care promotes self-worth and dignity at multiple facilities throughout Silicon Valley, including shelters, longer-term housing options and service centers, each equipped to meet emergency and transitional needs of diverse, at-risk people.
InnVision is...the Way Home!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings! April is National Volunteer Month, so in this newsletter we're taking the time to share stories about YOU!  | | Resurrection School 3rd Grade Class Volunteers |
InnVision would absolutely not be able to operate without our wonderful volunteers. Every year we have over 6,500 volunteers for a total of 36,000 hours and a cost of business savings of over $840,000 - a pretty amazing figure. Our volunteers come from all walks of life; they include everyone from past InnVision clients to CEOs of some of the largest companies in Silicon Valley. We continually host faith communities, schools, service organizations, and corporate volunteers at our 25 sites. We hope that you enjoy seeing all of the different ways to get involved at InnVision and you will be encouraged to volunteer if you don't already! Go to our volunteer page to find something that interests you from our long list of opportunities. If you don't have time to volunteer right now, consider making a donation to support our programs for homeless families and individuals. Go online or send a check to 1900 The Alameda Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95126. Warm regards,
Christine Burroughs, CEO
CBurroughs@InnVision.org |
|
|
|
|
|
Three Cheers for our Volunteers!
Three cheers to all of InnVision's group and corporate volunteers who came for special events so far in 2012! Click here to see who has helped in the past four months.
|
Upgrading InnVision Volunteering
 | | Sign-in Station |
If you have volunteered at InnVision in the last month, you may have noticed we have a new volunteer sign-in process. InnVision recently launched the Community Relations Management System, CRMS for short, to help record volunteers who are coming to the Georgia Travis Center, Julian Street Inn, Montgomery Street Inn, and Opportunity Services Center. CRMS helps InnVision capture volunteer hours more accurately and ensures all volunteer information is up to date. This newly implemented program allows InnVision to better cultivate volunteers, contact them about future opportunities, and improve the overall volunteer experience.
The system was designed by Ed Simon who is part of Net-Q Networks. He has worked for over a year to develop a volunteer management system specific to the needs of InnVision. Cadence generously donated money so that InnVision could purchase the volunteer sign-in computers. A HUGE thank you to Cadence and Ed for all their time and effort implementing the new CRMS program!
|
|
Easter at InnVision
 | | Fairmont Easter Bunny with a young client |
InnVision clients had an eventful Easter season! The Georgia Travis Center received a visit from the San Jose Fairmont Hotel Public Relations team of Joanne Tam, Tara Betz and the Easter Bunny, too! Members of the San Jose Earthquakes Shakers added their spirit to the fun. Children had their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and received treats to sweeten the day. Parents were able to pick up a delicious lunch prepared by the Fairmont chef in a reusable tote bag donated by the Earthquakes. Thanks so much to the Fairmont Hotel for the Easter Bunny's visit to InnVision!
But the fun didn't stop with the Easter Bunny - Resurrection Catholic School proved that you don't have to be big to make a big difference in the lives of homeless and at-risk children! The K-8 school made Easter baskets for the youth at InnVision complete with kid's toiletry sets and Easter candy, and the 3rd graders took a field trip to the Georgia Travis Center to drop off their baskets. A big thank you to Resurrection School and their amazing students who helped to bring some spring cheer to the children at InnVision!
|
Palo Alto Food Closet Going Strong for 25 Years
 | | Food Closet volunteers at the appreciation event |
InnVision recently hosted a volunteer recognition event for all of the wonderful people who volunteer at the Palo Alto Food Closet, which is the only InnVision program run completely by volunteers! The Food Closet provides nutritious groceries to low-income individuals and families in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. The event this month honored volunteers who have taken time out of their schedule to operate the Food Closet and recognize all of their hard work.
Peninsula Community Outreach Coordinator Kelty Spencer beamed, "We can't do enough to show our appreciation for this group, because they really do an amazing amount of work." In addition to managing the program, the volunteers even recruit other volunteers to build the program. Last year alone the Food Closet gave out 22,309 bags of groceries to more than 1,000 needy people in our community.
Some volunteers have served since the Food Closet opened 25 years ago. Thank you for your long-term support!
|
Santa Clara University Students Make a Difference
Santa Clara University students are off and running in a variety of onsite service opportunities with InnVision. Each school year, students participate in the Arrupe Volunteer Program, which requires 16 hours of community service per quarter to complement their in-class learning. Students are placed at Donation Depot/InnShoppe, Julian Street Inn, and the After School Learning Zone. Arrupe volunteers have played an important role in the success of many of the InnVision programs that directly benefit clients for many years.
 | | Arrupe Students teaching children at the Villa with iPads |
Arrupe volunteers have also helped start a new program called Computer Labs for Kids at the InnVision Villa. On Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30pm, children from InnVision Villa as young as 18 months are partnered with Arrupe students to learn about technology. Each child is given his or her own iPad for the hour and learns how to manipulate technology through educational games, electronic books, and art programs. Computer Labs for Kids is a separate nonprofit that partners with InnVision to help our children get a head start on technology skills. Thanks to Computer Labs for Kids and Arrupe students, InnVision children are benefiting from the best of Silicon Valley!
|
|
InnVision Volunteers Recognized by the Junior League of San Jose
 InnVision recently nominated three wonderful volunteers for the 43rd annual Junior League of San Jose Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. The nominees were Jim Rowan, who serves with Food Services, Erik Chappins, who runs the Drawbridge Art program at Villa, and Jim Gardner of Good Karma Bikes. Jim Gardner won the Crystal Bowl award for his amazing service helping to repair bikes for homeless on Saturdays at Montgomery Street Inn. Jim was one of 14 Crystal Bowl winners from almost a hundred nominees. Congratulations to all three volunteers for their amazing dedication!
|
|
Fighting Hunger One SPOON at a Time!
Stanford students are playing a major role in fighting hunger in the mid-Peninsula. The Stanford Project on Hunger (SPOON) was created in 1987 to collect and save unused, leftover food on campus for distribution to the hungry and homeless community of Palo Alto. SPOON student volunteers collect food that would otherwise be wasted from campus dining halls, Greek houses, eating clubs, and special events. Once InnVision receives the food, staff and volunteers reheat and turn it into full meals at Breaking Bread Hot Meals program and the Opportunity Services Center.
Because of the difference the program makes to very low-income Palo Alto residents, InnVision and SPOON were honored by the Stanford University Office of Public Affairs and the Haas Center for Public Service as a recipient of the 9th Annual Community Partnership Award. The current SPOON Director, Kyle Craft, accepted the award beside Philip Dah, InnVision Director of Peninsula Programs. We are honored to be recognized by Stanford and glad to share the award with the enthusiastic student volunteers at SPOON. Their hard work makes such an enormous difference!
|
|
Donation Depot All Stars!
 | | Clothing beautifully hung thanks to the handiwork of our volunteers! |
This month InnVision would like to highlight the amazing work being done by outstanding volunteers at Donation Depot and the InnShoppe, located at the Georgia Travis Center.
Bringing her warm smile and caring heart to shoppers weekly, Karen Midlo has been a volunteer at Donation Depot for over six months. Whether busily accepting donations from donors, helping choose baby items for a new mom, or tidying up the InnShoppe, Karen's kindness and compassion brings joy to all she meets.
Husband and wife team Scott and Paulyne make a difference working behind the scenes. This remarkable couple has worked every Friday for the last two years organizing inventory, stocking shelves, and even building racks and dividers! We couldn't imagine Donation Depot without them!
Hillbrook Middle School has volunteered at Donation Depot throughout the last year. One Wednesday a month, you'll find 7th and 8th grade students carefully sorting through clothing, linen and shoe donations. They make certain only the best quality goods will be displayed inside the InnShoppe where the community in need may choose items free of charge. The group works diligently from 11:00am-12:30pm to make sure that the InnShoppe is well stocked.
InnVision would like to give all of our Donation Depot volunteers a big THANK YOU for the amazing work you have done for InnVision. We are so happy to have you volunteer with us!
|
|
|
|
Game On!
On May 19, 20% of proceeds from ticket sales to the San Jose Earthquakes game versus the Columbus Crew will go to InnVision. See this flyer for details on how to purchase tickets to the game and benefit InnVision. |
InnVision supporters have been using their S.H.A.R.E.S. cards at an increasing rate. You have now raised more than $3,000
to help feed homeless and at-risk families in Silicon Valley.
If you shop at
Lucky Supermarkets, Save Mart, FoodMaxx or S-Mart, you can help feed the hungry at no cost to you. When you use a S.H.A.R.E.S. card, 3% of each purchase will go to InnVision.
Request a card
here.
Read on for more details. |
|
Travel as a Fundraiser
Wildland Adventures specializes in authentic Adventure Travel and Ecotourism worldwide. Or you can also choose from many other vacation packages. Your travel can make a difference! Book your hotel or vacation and we will receive a donation.
Click here to read more.
|
|
Have you remembered InnVision in your will?
If you have included InnVision in your estate planning, please contact us so we can make sure we honor your wishes.
Christine Burroughs, CEO, 408-292-4286.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
