Thursday, April 28, 2011

Volunteers Give THANKS in a Special Way http://ping.fm/jSb5L

Volunteers Give THANKS in a Special Way

Thanksgiving in April 2011 at the Broward Outreach Center- Hollywood

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, laughter, and giving, and although this holiday is typically celebrated the last Thursday in November, volunteer groups and organizations came together to give back to those in need. Known as Thanksgiving in April, this annual event hosted by the Broward Outreach Center, aims to not only educate the public on combating poverty in South Florida, but allowing them to understand the importance of fellowship.


Our “Yellow Team” volunteers are ready to serve at the Thanksgiving in April Event


Donated hygiene products were collected for the Hope Totes


Students at Florida Career College assist in relieving some stress for attendees


Barry University podiatry students give tips on healthy foot care while giving pedicures


Karen Barcz and Cherona Levy take a break from serving food to smile for the camera












The Broward Outreach Center offers comprehensive programs for the homeless such as life-skills courses, education programs for obtaining a G.E.D., and counseling. Without the contributions of volunteers and various organizations maintaining these programs would be difficult. For more information on how you can get involved at the Broward Outreach Center, visit Volunteer Broward and let us connect you with one of the many programs at this amazing facility.

by Cherona Levy, Volunteer Broward AmeriCorps Member

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

May 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn Jacobs http://ping.fm/8wfTq

May 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn Jacobs




Making time for Volunteer Broward activities has provided "Golden Moments" such as:

At the 12th Man Football and Cheer Camp, watching volunteers push wheelchairs for children with MD over the football area, showing them physically how to swing their foot, watching them kick a football and seeing the grins on their faces. There were children less affected by MD also participating. The children loved the lunch we served and dancing to or watching the DJ's, singers and dancers after lunch;

Attending the South Florida Pets Expo, collecting signatures in favor of Pets in Condos and hearing heartwarming stories about the differences pets have made in the lives of people the signers knew; some folks came over to our booth saying that being able to sign the petition was a major reason for them coming to the Pet Expo;

At People and Planets Day watching children learn about the environment at various exhibits including Audubon Society, Wildlife Care Center, exhibits by various related non-profits and "Green" businesses, seeing children doing rock climbing and watching them sort recyclables;

Attending the Weston Art Walk and watching children paint on canvases and paper as freely as they wished to and working on other art projects done by Young at Art Children's Museum;

Seeing parents, many of whom brought children along, get Health Fair Services at Jack and Jill Children's Center such as exams for Blood Pressure, Screenings for Diabetes, Cholesterol, Breast & Cervical Cancer, Bone Density & Body Mass Index, HIV and STDs- all for free!

There were MANY "Golden Moments," with so many happy dedicated volunteers "working their hearts out" to produce these exceptional events.

You too can come away with much good feeling. Go to www.volunteerbroward.com and sign up for activities, come participate and c'mon over and say hello! The volunteers and project leaders are a warm, friendly group. Luckily, we can choose activities we like, at times that are convenient in our lives.

Thanks to Volunteer Broward and the Children's Services Council for enriching so many lives - participants and volunteers alike! All the project leaders get kudos for organizing and implementing these events.

by Marilyn Jacobs

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Have an exciting volunteer experience that you'd like to blog? Photos of you and friends volunteering? Submit to kristina@volbrow.org!

Friday, April 8, 2011

April 2011 Project Leader Spotlight: Chris Chenevey


I originally found Volunteer Broward by accident. I had seen “Hands on Miami” volunteers working near where I used to live in Miami. It struck me that so many people were cleaning the streets and sidewalks all at the same time, together, and I remembered it. Later, I moved to Broward, and I searched the internet for something similar, and there I found Volunteerbroward.org. It was perfect for me because they had lots of different projects available at many different times and days. That was important because I was working full time (including overtime) and I have a family, so I needed flexibility.

I started working various projects, as they fit my schedule. I started at Poverello Sorting Center, who supplies food to many people suffering with HIV in Ft. Lauderdale. One project I worked on at Port Everglades allowed volunteers to paint large trash barrels to beautify the Port. I worked at Tomorrow’s Rainbow which allows children who have had emotional trauma, to interact and pet farm animals on their lovely farm in North Broward. When the earthquake devastated Haiti, I worked several food drives spurred by Disney, who gave free tickets to their amusement parks to volunteers. There were many others.

After I got to know some of the folks there, most notable Sander Schrantz, I attended Project Leadership training. I learned how to perform the administrative work that goes into these projects. I now am Project Leader for a project that takes place the third Saturday of each month at the Broward Outreach Center in Pompano Beach. I have found that projects centering on hunger and homelessness are the ones that I enjoy the most. The “BOC Pompano” is a wonderful organization run by the Miami Rescue Mission. It has over 200 beds for their residents, and a wide variety of educational, and therapeutic programs for those residents. The goal is not just a bed and a meal. The goal is to teach these folks the skills they need to get back into the workplace, and become self sufficient again. It is a tremendous place. Many of the folks that come there haven’t just lost their homes, they have lost everything.

Volunteering has become a very rewarding aspect to my life. I enjoy meeting new people, and more than anything, I enjoy spending my time doing something I can be proud of. There is a certain satisfaction you get out of knowing that you could have sat home on the couch watching TV on a Saturday Morning, but instead you lent a hand to someone that needed it. I sometimes take my stepson, Logan, who is 11 years old. It is a great bonding experience, and I believe it teaches him something important. It also has given him a new perspective, so that he understands how much we have that we take for granted.

To anyone that may be interested to volunteer, go for it! Sign up on Volunteerbroward.org, attend an orientation, and then pick a project that means something to you. If you feel passionately about the environment, pick a beach cleanup. If you love animals, try an animal rescue like Friends Ranch. If you love children, be a mentor or a tutor. If you are good with your hands, we have projects where you can build or paint. We all have our own unique skills we can contribute. I am sure it will make you feel good to help someone here in your community, and that makes a difference for us all.

by Chris Chenevey