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The
Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo has been the center for
volunteerism in Kalamazoo since 1965. It is a member of Volunteer
Centers of Michigan and the Volunteer Center National Network. Numerous
programs and services are available to Kalamazoo County nonprofit
organizations that are designed to help them establish or strengthen
their volunteer programs. The Center was established in 1966 when the
Service Club of Kalamazoo (later the Junior League) identified the need
to have a central location for people to call who were interested in
volunteering. The United Way of Greater Kalamazoo provided space in
their building and the Center continues to share that space today. When
the Center was first established, it was named the Voluntary Action
Center and fondly nick-named the "VAC." In 1998 the organization's name
was changed to the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo, to better
reflect its mission and purpose.
Mission Statement & Vision
"To improve our community by fostering effective volunteerism in order to strengthen nonprofit organizations."
"The Volunteer
Center of Greater Kalamazoo will ensure that local nonprofit
organizations have and effectively utilize all the well-matched
volunteers necessary to fulfill their respective missions."
Each year
thousands of area residents contact the Volunteer Center to find ways
to serve their community. The center maintains and publishes a
comprehensive, up-to-date list of nonprofit volunteer needs that local
organizations and individuals can easily search to find volunteer
opportunities that match their skills and interests. All Kalamazoo
County nonprofit and charitable organizations, with 501-c tax
identification status, are invited to submit their volunteer
opportunities for inclusion in the Center's online listing service.
Additional services available to nonprofit organizations include:
Volunteer Program Assessment
Volunteer Management Best Practices
Volunteer Management Training
Recruitment and Referral Services, and
Technology Solutions for Volunteer Data Management
With an eye toward
the future, the Volunteer Center sponsors youth and teen volunteer
programs that are designed to introduce young people to volunteerism
and community service. Future leaders need to know about the social
issues that face communities, and volunteering is a wonderful way to
introduce them to the needs of others. The VolunTEENS program offers
students between the ages of 12 and 18 the chance to learn about local
nonprofit organizations by volunteering in age appropriate positions.
The experience allows students to explore future career opportunities,
gain required community service credit for college scholarships, and
most importantly, learn that they can make a difference in their
community by helping others. Participating nonprofit organizations
benefit from student involvement in their programs through an increased
volunteer workforce, an occasion to hear a fresh perspective about
their work, and the opportunity to introduce young people to future
potential careers in the nonprofit sector. The Volunteer Center staff
believes that successful nonprofit organizations are empowered by
people with the vision to lead, the energy to build, and the
determination to succeed. To learn more please contact us.
Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo
709-A S Westnedge Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00
www.volunteerkalamazoo.org
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