Volunteer Spotlight: National Volunteer Week April 18-24

Each year, thousands of volunteers devote their time and talents to nonprofits throughout the country to make their communities a better place. Volunteers are an integral part of Family Services’ activities. Groups and individuals have continued to assist Family Services in achieving our mission of strengthening families and we would like to acknowledge them.

As part of Family Services’ newly-developed volunteer opportunities, 86 volunteers donated over 800 hours to Family Services last year, helping at immunization events, distributing school supplies at a health fair and reading to children. Volunteers contributed $13,265 in volunteer time to Family Services, providing a valuable source of support for the organization throughout the year.

Daniel Garza, HIV/AIDS Volunteer Educator for Family Services, works in the community giving presentations about HIV prevention to students at local schools and senior citizens at community centers. “I enjoy volunteering because the kids ask me questions that adults don’t ask and really make me reflect on my life,” Daniel says.

He also assists the organization with administrative tasks as needed and lends a hand at special events.

Other individuals who volunteered their time last year included Raheem Asif, an Information Systems Analyst and Liliana Martinez, an Early Childhood Volunteer. Raheem assisted with an analysis of a computer upgrade and how it would benefit Family Services. The organization is currently undergoing this upgrade, which will improve Family Services’ efficiency.

As an Early Childhood Volunteer, Liliana assisted with the early childhood component of Family Services’ Family Literacy Program. She facilitated literacy activities for children ages 1 – 4, which help them to better develop their literacy skills and comprehension in preparation for school.

In addition to individual volunteers who support Family Services ongoing programs, Family Services utilizes groups of volunteers who help out at special events.

During United Way’s Days of Caring events last year, corporate employees from Citation Oil & Gas, Federal Express and Marriott Hotels, Inc. helped to make crafts, read to children and assisted with a literacy project. Days of Caring events allow corporate employees to see how United Way and Family Services work to change lives in our community.

ExxonMobil, Junior League of Houston, Inc. and community volunteers assisted with activities such as face painting and balloon art at Family Services’ free immunization events and the health fair.

We thank all our volunteers for their generous support and commitment to helping children and families!