Since the beginning of the pandemic, nonprofits have faced numerous challenges to the way they operate. From closures to restrictions, organizations have had to seek alternative means of functioning. As some have demonstrated, volunteers can play a vital role in nonprofits' missions to provide continued support for their communities. In an effort to provide insight and inspiration to all those who are struggling with the ongoing pandemic, here are three stories of success.
Mission:
Our vision is that every student in Washington state has access to an excellent public education that provides an equal opportunity for success. We engage student and parent advocates across the state to tell us what is working and not working in their communities, and we train them on how to communicate their needs to state legislators and local school districts.
Pandemic response:
In addition to moving meetings, parent trainings, student roundtables, and other events online, they are planning an all-virtual Advocacy Day in Olympia during the 2021 Legislative Session.
Volunteer information:
If you would like to help with local and statewide education advocacy, contact Eric Holzapfel, Director of Field and Community Engagement, at eric@educationvoters.org.
Additionally, they are seeking assistance with communications support, specifically in the following areas: graphic design, social media, video production, and copywriting. If you can lend a hand in any of these areas, please contact Communications Director Arik Korman at arik@educationvoters.org.
Mission:
Reading Partners empowers communities to improve education outcomes for elementary students by combining the strength of evidence-based, structured curriculum, and the power of highly trained community volunteers.
Pandemic response:
Through their Reading Partners Beyond program, the organization has been providing online family engagement and access to literacy resources through family texting, take-home learning packets, virtual read-alouds, and online literacy tutoring. Student-tutor pairs work for 45 minutes twice per week, using an individualized reading plan based on ongoing student skills assessments.
Volunteer information:
You can sign up to join the waitlist to become a Reading Partners tutor on their website. Currently, they are only onboarding returning volunteers. New volunteers will likely not get paired with a student until mid-January. All volunteers must attend two, 2-hour virtual orientation sessions. Donations are also welcome as they launch their new virtual tutoring program in support of Seattle students.
You can learn more about Reading Partners Seattle on their NEDDIE profile page.
Mission:
Seattle Humane promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need, regardless of age, ability, circumstance, or geography.
Pandemic Efforts:
When their shelter was forced to close to the public, they placed each of their animals within their network of approximately 2,000 shelter homes.
They also implemented an adoption-by-appointment process which involves intensive advising and a pre-adoption questionnaire. As a result, they have significantly reduced the number of adopted animals that have been returned to the shelter.
Another recent effort included a volunteer-led supply drive that took place in the shelter parking lot and supported pets and livestock displaced by the wildfires. Additionally, they hosted their virtual Tuxes & Tails gala which raised over $1,000,000.
Volunteer information:
Due to COVID-19, they are prioritizing the safety of staff but are hoping to bring volunteers back when public health guidance clears them for reopening to the public. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, Interim Public Relations Specialist Brandon Macz explains: “The hardest fosters to find are those who have no small children or other pets, as we often take in large-breed dogs in need of behavioral training and who are reactive to other dogs. While we are not actively recruiting new fosters, people with this type of home environment are always encouraged to apply.”
To learn more about these nonprofits and get to know others that are making a difference, go to neddie.co, where our search engine will help find the right cause for you.
Volunteers have been an integral part of these nonprofits' missions. Although the pandemic has brought obstacles, these organizations continue to serve their communities by adapting their operations and volunteer programs. Do you have a volunteer or nonprofit success story to share? Reach out to us using the links at the bottom and help us inspire others to action!
NEDDIE believes in the transformative efforts of social impact collaboration. We welcome all nonprofits, volunteers, donors, and businesses to join us in effecting positive results. We create the tools so you can create the change you want to see.