Fenway Community Development Corporation’s Post

Volunteering 💚 Definition: “Volunteering is the act of offering one's time, skills, or services to an organisation, cause, or individual without receiving financial gain. It is typically motivated by a desire to contribute to the community, support a cause, or help others in need.” - If the definition resonates with you - If you are local to the Bristol area - If you have spare time which you’d like to spend making a difference. Then click the link below. 💚 https://lnkd.in/exxHcVjK

Engage's young adults participating in community service offers a myriad of benefits for young adults, fostering personal growth, community connections, and skill development. Here are just some key advantages: Skill Development: Community service provides opportunities for Engage's young adults to develop a wide range of skills, including communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are invaluable in both personal and professional spheres. Increased Empathy and Understanding: Volunteering exposes our young adults to diverse communities and situations, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of social issues. This helps in building a more compassionate and socially aware generation. Enhanced Self-Confidence: Participating in community service boosts self-confidence and self-esteem. It provides a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the idea that individuals can make a positive impact on the world around them. Resume Enhancement: Community service stands out on resumes and college applications. It demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility, leadership, and a willingness to contribute to the community. Stress Reduction Volunteering: has been linked to lower stress levels and increased overall well-being. Engaging in community service can provide a positive outlet for stress and contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Working alongside my neighbors this week, we hosted a large youth group who volunteered for community improvement projects over the holiday weekend. Today, what would have taken one neighbor a full day to clean up, these volunteers accomplished in just one hour. This experience underscores the importance of increasing youth engagement. Today's timely post sheds light on Volunteerism’s Diversity Problem, emphasizing the need for equitable opportunities for all young people to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Key Takeaways 🌟 Barrier to Entry: Many young people face obstacles accessing essential resources for effective volunteering. Access Challenges: Financial constraints, limited social networks, and inadequate civic education pose significant barriers to broad participation. Economic Impact: Each volunteer hour contributes significantly to the economy, valued at $31.80. We need to empower youth and dismantle barriers to engagement! #YouthEmpowerment #CommunityService #Volunteerism

How can local governments ignite a sense of community pride and civic responsibility in the next generation of its residents? Read our blog to learn actionable strategies to grow youth volunteer programs in your community. #CommunityEngagement #CommunityService #LocalGovernment CivicPlus https://lnkd.in/gTryAdr5

Hello #LinkedInFam! Let me reintroduce myself, In a world where challenges persist, from poverty to mental health issues, my passion for community engagement and volunteering drives me to make a difference. With a professional background in community service, I am committed to using my expertise to create positive change. As a passionate advocate for community development, I specialize in delivering content that not only educates but also inspires and empowers readers to embrace the spirit of volunteering. I strive to demystify misconceptions about volunteering, debunk myths, correct misunderstandings, and provide accurate, clear information. My goal is to help individuals recognize the immense value and impact of volunteering. Why should you consider me for your next initiative? I bring a wealth of experience and a unique perspective, combining practical skills with a genuine desire to contribute to societal well-being. My journey in community service has equipped me with a diverse skill set. From crafting engaging initiatives to developing impactful programs, I excel at creating content that not only informs but also motivates action. Additionally, I have experience overseeing projects from start to finish. Through my posts, I will take you on a journey to explore how community service has helped shape me, the challenges I've faced, and how I've navigated through various projects. If you are looking for a passionate and experienced professional to join your team or collaborate on meaningful projects, let us connect. Reach out to me at aanuayb@gmail.com or send me a DM. #CommunityEngagement #Volunteering #PublicHealth #CommunityService #Empowerment #SocialImpact #VolunteerAdvocate #LinkedInCommunity

How important is it to be versatile when working with volunteers? Being in a people-centred role, relationship management is integral to creating a positive volunteering experience - if volunteers don't enjoy/feel appreciated for what they do, they can just walk. I often find I need to wear lots of hats so that I'm able to meet everyone's needs. Just recently I have: - pursued discussions on targeted skilled opportunities to volunteer with our sponsors - actively visited sites regularly to be more visible and accessible to volunteers - responded to volunteer access issue queries from other teams - freed up time to support recruitment of new volunteers in another department - planned/delivered a reciprocal visit for volunteers, in response to a lack of opportunities - proactively responded to a volunteer complaint To some extent these are all in my remit, though if I wasn't being versatile in responding to others needs, the impact on volunteer morale, opportunity and engagement would have been impacted. Are you versatile in how you engage with volunteers? #lovols #volunteerengagement #versatile #volunteering #volunteermanagement #accountability

Servant leadership is what we all need to aspire too.

Exploring the synergy between #CommunityMedia and Asset-Based Community Development approaches. Why does focusing on what we have, not what we lack, empower communities to create their own narratives and drive sustainable development? Discover the power of grassroots media! #ABCD #LocalVoices https://lnkd.in/e7KSTVeM

Today our Smile Project volunteering event was cancelled due to the weather. This, alongside the election, has got me thinking about power and communities. I am aware that after a long career in public service my perspective is often skewed by the ‘institutional assumption’ that wellbeing and prosperity are created primarily by the institutions that are there to ‘serve’ our communities. (Cormack, 2002). Even if I think I have tried to create new ways, new thinking and new connections in working with communities I know I, in fact we all, have a long way to go. This paper by Cormac Russell really struck a chord with me today. It explores community development principles from a practice perspective. It helped me bring awareness to my assumptions, biases and the lenses through which we traditionally view neighbourhoods. It has challenged me to think about how we really shift power from ‘outside’ of our friends, neighbours and communities to within them. Partnering with our Smile Project young ambassadors has shifted something in me. It has helped evolve my way of knowing my community. It has shone a light on the capacities, energy, resources that our young people have and the solutions they can build together that will have greater impact and longevity that those us in positions of ‘knowing’ can bring. I am left with the following sentence from the paper ringing loudly in my ears: ‘Therefore, those engaged in ground-up Community Development need to understand that their vocational calling is to foreground the capacities of those they are there to serve and background the bureaucracy of their institutions’ Cormac Russell #shiftingpower #communitybuilding #volunteering #SmileProject Link to the paper below.

Exploring the synergy between #CommunityMedia and Asset-Based Community Development approaches. Why does focusing on what we have, not what we lack, empower communities to create their own narratives and drive sustainable development? Discover the power of grassroots media! #ABCD #LocalVoices