In the first few months of a new year many people resolve to make service a part of their lives by volunteering in an organization such as a school, community center or place of worship. Others, however, take a more entrepreneurial approach to creating a change in their community. An example of this approach can be found in the Detroit-based Heidelberg Project. The Heidelberg Project, bearing the name of the street on which it exists, was started in 1986 by Detroit artist Tyree Guyton. Disheartened by the decay and disrepair he saw enveloping the street on which he grew up, Guyton began an initiative with a paintbrush, broom and neighborhood children to clean up vacant lots and abandoned houses on Heidelberg and adjacent Elba Street. From the refuse they collected, Guyton not only transformed those houses and lots but also integrated the street, sidewalks and trees into a massive indoor/outdoor art environment full of color and symbolism using every day, discarded objects. With the international spotlight on the art and social service sectors in the area there has been a reduction in crime, gang violence and drug trafficking in the neighborhood. As people ponder their New Year's resolutions in the months ahead, many will think about the impact they can have on the lives of others and their neighboring communities. The Heidelberg Project reminds us that sometimes the biggest changes begin with small steps right in our own surroundings. We just have to look to see the possibilities for transformation.
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Upcoming Opportunities & Events for our Volunteers
Adult Education
Our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program helps adult learners acquire the necessary language skills to be more active in their communities, obtain better jobs and be more involved in their children's education. We are seeking volunteer teachers for our 12 week spring session which begins April 18th. Classes are offered Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Anthony Snowden at 212-744-5022 ext. 1238 or asnowden@lenoxhill.org.
SAVE THE DATE!
Volunteer Recognition Ceremony and Rohatyn Awards for Community Service
Thursday, April 7th, 5-7 p.m. at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House
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Volunteer Reflection
One of the unique features of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is the variety of roles a volunteer can fill during his or her tenure here. During his association with us, Bob Kerrigan has run writing programs and served meals in our two Senior Centers, assisted with teaching computer and English for Speakers of Other Languages classes and has been a writer and performer in our Community Theater productions. I recently caught up with Bob to talk about his wide-ranging volunteer experiences.
Q: How did you originally become involved in volunteering?
A: I was born and raised in the neighborhood and went swimming at the Neighborhood House as a kid. When I retired I heard volunteers were needed to serve lunch in the 70th Street Senior Center. Later the Computer Center opened and I was one of the first volunteers in that program. In 1996 I began facilitating a writing program at the 70th Street Senior Center. People gravitated towards that group and we started to do presentations of our work. When the Senior Center at Saint Peter's Church opened in 2001 we started a similar writing program there.
Q: What is your primary volunteer role now?
A: I'm primarily involved in facilitating writing programs at both Senior Centers. I help participants in the programs work on memoirs, short stories and poetry. I encourage them and we have fun. Criticism is kept to a minimum.
Q: What have you gained as a result of your various volunteer experiences?
A: It's always rewarding when people appreciate what you're trying to do to help them. In particular, interacting with participants in the writing programs has taught me how to change my own work as a writer.
Q: What are your thoughts about the importance of being creative?
A: I believe everyone can be creative. It's a part of all of us. I enjoy helping people discover that part of themselves.
Bob will be appearing with the Twelfth Night Players in a production of Separate Tables by Terence Rattigan during the month of February.
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 In the News: Corporate Volunteer Programs Can Yield Big Benefits if Managed Effectively
One of the long-standing traditions at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House involves our partnerships with corporate volunteer programs to help us meet the needs of our clients. We have worked with companies such as MetLife and New York Life to bring a wonderful Thanksgiving meal to seniors for many years. Volunteers from these organizations return year after year to participate in this event that allows them to witness directly how their work contributes to the well-being of others.
Throughout corporate America there is an increasing desire to work with nonprofits to help them fulfill their missions. There remains much work to be done in order to maximize the benefits of these potential collaborations. According to a new study commissioned by the consulting firm Deloitte, more than eight out of ten companies believe that offering skilled volunteers can help nonprofit groups operate more effectively, serve more clients and reach their long-term goals, but fewer than half of the businesses communicate with the organizations they serve about how to best meet those needs. The survey is based on online interviews with more than 300 executives in charge of volunteer programs at companies with at least 1,000 employees. The study focused on skilled volunteerism-when employees who have expertise in such areas as finance or marketing donate their time-a growing trend in corporate philanthropy. This year's poll found that six of ten companies offer skilled volunteer opportunities to their employees. The challenge, according to Evan Hochberg, Deloitte's National Director of Community Involvement, is for "companies to have better execution to match their expectations." As companies and nonprofits increase their communication with each other, set up volunteerism with a clear strategy and have disciplined measures of effectiveness, the benefits to nonprofits, their clients and companies themselves will multiply.
Click here to read the 2010 Deloitte Volunteer Survey.
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