Thanks to Melanie Wilson, Director of Research and Public Policy at the New England Network for Child, Youth & Family Services for forwarding news about a new report and tool, The Hidden Workforce:
Are you ready for help?
Since the early 1990′s, experts have been telling the nonprofit world that an advancing wave of retiring baby boomers would soon be landing on its doorstep, eager to give them all sorts of assistance, and for absolutely free. Now, due to demographics, the economy and evolving national policy, volunteers are here. But are child- and youth-serving nonprofits really ready for them? Can they use volunteers in ways that truly improve their program services and extend their reach?
A toolkit focused on youth-serving agencies.
The Hidden Workforce, NEN’s new report on how to run effective volunteer programs in child- and youth-serving agencies, takes a clear-eyed look at these questions. Unlike most other resources on volunteering, this toolkit focuses only on agencies working with children and families, with promising practices and tools selected and adapted just for them. We produced it for the simple reason that we believe our field underutilizes volunteers, and that in these budget-straining times, agencies working with vulnerable young people should make the best possible use of every resource. Read more about the report
Growing new resources, maximizing old ones.
As a trainer to child- and youth-serving organizations, NEN understands that ours is a field of professionals. We know volunteers can’t do the work of therapists, program managers or veteran youthworkers. Yet agencies are understaffed and underfunded, and say they just don’t have time to supply their young clients with all the ‘extras’ they need – sometimes the very extras that would make all the difference. Agencies are also in chronic need of IT help, of fundraising help, of marketing help. Sound familiar?
The Hidden Workforce spotlights organizations that use volunteers extensively and in innovative ways. It also offers numerous simple tools to get you started, or help you improve what you’ve already got.
Agencies interested in targeted training or technical assistance on volunteer programming should contact Cindy Carraway-Wilson or 207 319-6009.
