Thirty-seven years ago two volunteers started Broward Childrens Center, but only now has the Pompano Beach-based nonprofit turned its attention to a formal volunteer program with revolutionary results.
The new program targets volunteers whose priorities and skills match the needs of 1000 infants, children, and young adults with disabilities the Center serves. Volunteers provide administrative support to the Centers 11 programs as well as help with fundraising and spreading the word about the agency. Most importantly, volunteers spend time with the residents doing anything from reading and playing board games to helping with recreational outings.
“We did a lot of soul searching when we began this initiative and asked the question, is the work we are asking community members to do clearly related to our mission?” said Center Volunteer coordinator, Rachel Bryan.
Nicole Nevirs, volunteer, assists Center resident Vergique, 13, during a holiday visit from the Pompano Beach Firefighters.
The answer to that question required center staff to examine the goals they wished to achieve and how they could best help volunteers to achieve those goals.
“What we discovered was that we needed a clear path for prospective and existing volunteers to get the answers and support they need to really make a difference,” Bryan said. “A big part of this was making sure we were responsive to volunteer needs and that they were recognized as important stakeholders in our mission.”
The new approach has seen volunteer numbers skyrocket and is helping several Center programs better serve community children with disabilities.
“Were finding the new volunteer program is providing us with a great team of committed and talented community members who really contribute to improving the quality of care we can provide,” said Center operations officer, Jacqui Mogavero.
Bryan said that this staff and client satisfaction was mirrored by volunteers working within the new program.
“We have volunteers put in a really hard day and walk away genuinely euphoric in the knowledge that they are not just aiding the children it is our mission to serve, but are helping to lead these efforts.”
