Question: What do you know about the relationship between citizens and the Maple Street Shelter and Innvision Shelter Network (LifeMoves)? On what levels do they interact? How can citizen participation affect the Maple Street Shelter and Innvision Shelter Network (LifeMoves)?
Across the 17 sites in the Bay Area, Innvision Shelter Network (now known as LifeMoves) serves approximately 1,000 individuals every night. The program contributes much of its success to strong community support because every volunteer and donor commits themselves to be a part of the solution to homelessness. Individual donations, advocacy, and volunteer efforts provide clients with the support needed to overcome homelessness while also showing these families and individuals that their community supports them as they rebuild their lives.
Citizens are able to engage on many levels to help promote the mission of InnVision Shelter Network. On a low, local level it is as simple as signing up to bring food down to clients for dinner. Individual volunteers can also work administratively by providing a particular skill or service to the organization which they are lacking. Community members can also go to town hall meetings or send letters to their government representatives asking that there be more financial support for the mission of the shelter network in ending homelessness.
Individual Volunteers can participate with the organization in many different ways. The most popular avenue is volunteering directly with clients by teaching a life skills workshop where clients learn about a range of topics, including financial literacy, budgeting, resume writing, interview skills, and parenting. Volunteers can also plan, prepare, and serve meals to clients, donating nutritious food and serving those in need with compassion and care. There are other fun activities that volunteers can help to plan like fun community-building events for the shelter residents, such as birthday parties, movie nights, picnics, and holiday celebrations.
One really cool way a volunteer can commit themselves to the cause is by becoming a Support Committee members who are long-term volunteers that work directly with clients and staff to adopt a shelter and perform a wide range of critical, supportive activities that help to improve the Shelter Facility.
Volunteers are also encouraged to work with the shelter's youth. Volunteers can offer tutoring support to students in the computer labs and children’s centers, helping them complete their homework assignments. Volunteers at family shelters like the Redwood Family House can help supervise children and lead playtime activities, such as arts and crafts, reading time, computer learning, storytelling, and more. Volunteers are able to provide valuable mentor ship and guidance to teenage residents by helping them excel in school and pursue a college education.
Other than Volunteerism:
It is important to understand that volunteering, while being extremely helpful and cost-effective for the company, is not always an option for individuals with constrained schedules. Other ways to help and get involved include Internships where students are able to work administratively within InnVision Shelter Network (LifeMoves) to gain hands-on experience in human services and nonprofit management.
Corporations and businesses can act as a socially responsible leader in philanthropic giving through supporting the shelters with a grant, work place giving, employer match, product and/or service donations, drives and employee engagement/volunteerism.
Sometimes the most easiest way to engage with this community partner is to sponsor a drive to raise funds, or to provide much needed in-kind donations, such as business clothing, diapers, formula (and other supplies for children and infants), household items, back-to-school supplies, and more. Drives are needed all year round but especially during the holidays. Hosting donation drives for items given directly to LifeMoves clients helps individuals spread the message and mission about the organization which helps to bring more focus and attention to the issue of homelessness.
All of these activities contributes a great deal to the shelter network and helps to bring down the cost of providing these services. The staff and clients of the shelters are happy to know that they are backed by a strong and supportive community who accepts and promotes their mission and vision to end homelessness in the Bay Area.
Click the links below to see how you can participate with this organization
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