SAFEHOME wholeheartedly and sincerely thanks every single person who volunteers in any capacity for our agency. National Volunteer Recognition Week takes place April 23rd-April 29th. In 2016, 684 volunteers dedicated 20,684 hours to the agency, with approximately 150 of those people coming weekly or on a monthly basis. Community service groups, faith communities, educational institutions, and businesses comprise the remaining numbers. SAFEHOME provides a variety of volunteer opportunities and each one serves a valuable purpose for the people who use our services. Volunteers (past & present in addition to their family and friends) become donors, too; in 2016 they contributed $167,216. Most people think in terms of a dollar equivalent for hours donated. According to the Independent Sector, the hourly dollar equivalent based on non-agrarian positions equaled $23.56, which for SAFEHOME would be a total of $487,315 that volunteers “saved” the agency. However a highly respected Volunteer Management consultant many years ago shared her view of what she believed that figure accurately represented since that money was not budgeted. It really illustrates what SAFEHOME didn’t have to spend to enhance and add value to each area of our agency! Our volunteers help everyone in our building: residents, clients and staff, and we learn from them constantly. They give SAFEHOME credibility in the community as well.
Volunteers at SAFEHOME choose between four areas: Development, Episodic, Client Contact, and Administrative areas with flexible schedules. There’s truly something for most everyone. Over the years many volunteers went from hands-on volunteering to members of the board, several friendships formed, networking took place, and volunteers educated people around them about domestic abuse.
Volunteers brighten each day they grace our halls, the courthouse, and the hospitals, and we are grateful for their dedication, service, generosity and time they give.