Posted December 19th, 2008 by admin
Posted by Neva Geisler, Director, Volunteer Engagement
This week we marked a momentous achievement for our community–the announcement of the signing of a joint powers agreement to build, fund and provide for the operation of a community detox center.
The need for a detox center has long been recognized, but what it took to make the vision a reality seemed too large of a project for any one entity to take on, which is where United Way’s unique position in the community could be of greatest service. As a convener, United Way could pull together our friends in the business community, the human services sector, elected officials and state agencies to come to the table and stay there until we had a plan.
We stayed at that table for almost a decade. The project required intricate funding and operations planning for it to be successful and sustainable. And now, because of that commitment, the visionaries of this vital community service will see groundbreaking in April, 2009 on a 9,200 square foot facility that will begin operation in 2010.
The detox center is a testament to the caring power of this community, and at United Way, we are very proud to be a leader in service to this community that knows what it means to give back. Thanks, Treasure Valley.
Posted December 2nd, 2008 by admin
Posted by Neva Geisler, Director, Volunteer Engagement
Holiday business is booming in the non-profit sector. Agencies are working seven days a week in a flurry of need, generosity, food boxes, coats, cots and cookies.
It’s a good time of year to be employed in this field. It keeps you honest, humble, thankful. The human condition is played out so visibly this time of year–hope, care, love, suffering, need–at every turn there’s something that reminds you that life can be simultaneously unpredictable, tragic and glorious.
In a time of such economic insecurity, it’s no surprise that need is up dramatically. The Salvation Army gave away a record 204 food boxes last week, with 30 percent of them going to people accessing services for the first time. The Boise Rescue Mission tells us that the line for dinner goes out the dining room and down the hall. At their City Light Shelter for women and children, they are providing emergency housing for two families who recently lost their house after the primary wage earner was laid off. In the last month they’ve provided emergency housing services to three infants, one of them just a few days old.
Times are tough, but people are tougher. This year I have seen such incredible examples of people who faced unexpected tragedy and hardships who, with the help of others, are moving forward and into a better lot in life.
Which is why I feel so lucky every time the phone rings. Nine times out of ten the person on the line is calling to help. Often they are looking for a volunteer opportunity their whole family can do together. In the last six weeks alone I have set up group volunteer projects at the Idaho State Veteran’s Home, Idaho Botanical Gardens, Boise Samaritan Village, Boys and Girls Club, Life’s Kitchen, Ronald McDonald House, Idaho FoodBank, Taft Elementary, Boise Rescue Mission and Agency for New Americans. Volunteers are everywhere, doing just about anything asked of them. It is a remarkable display of the caring power of our community.
So this holiday season, a season that is also overshadowed by economic insecurity, consider an investment in service. Ring a bell, serve a meal, knit a scarf, adopt a family, (make a donation to United Way!) and see if you don’t feel about 100 percent better about the world. Celebrate the season with service and lift your spirits.
Get started here!
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