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First Lady Casey DeSantis Joins Volunteer Florida to Launch Official Volunteer Opportunities Platform

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First Lady Casey DeSantis today joined Volunteer Florida CEO Clay Ingram to announce that Florida’s official volunteer opportunities platform, Volunteer Connect, has launched to the public.

As part of First Lady DeSantis’ Hope for Healing Florida initiative, Volunteer Connect will provide a one-stop platform for Floridians to engage in community service with 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities that work with volunteers. The platform was created for organizations to register, train and post opportunities. Currently, the platform is displaying more than 230 active opportunities across the state, with more being added daily.

“Volunteers provide a unique service by helping others and contributing to our communities,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Volunteer Connect is a platform that will help align volunteers with an organization that meets their interests and complements their skill sets. Volunteering is a fundamental civic responsibility that benefits all and really binds our communities together. I am thrilled that Volunteer Connect will help make it easier for Floridians to continue to provide extraordinary service to those in need.”

“At Volunteer Florida, we recognized the need for an innovative and modern platform to connect nonprofits and governmental entities with volunteers,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Clay Ingram. “Both groups spend countless hours searching for each other, often with frustration and no net benefit. We are proud to launch Volunteer Connect as an easy-to-use solution, so that more people in Florida will accept our challenge and provide support to their communities. Everyone has a skill that is beneficial to a nonprofit, and by way of this centralized hub, we hope to not only make connections, but also shed light on the incredible need for volunteers.”

“Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement,” said Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock. “We are grateful to the First Lady and Volunteer Florida for recognizing the need for a platform to better connect us with people in our community who are willing to serve.”

Eligible organizations can sign up with the site to more easily recruit and better manage volunteers. Volunteers can take advantage of user-friendly search features, including the ability to search opportunities by date, location, issue area, age or populations served.

Organizations of all sizes are welcome to use the platform. Service opportunities are diverse and range from lending executive expertise to nonprofits, supporting animal and rescue efforts, restoring shorelines through the planting of native flora, to helping communities rebuild after a disaster.

In addition to connecting volunteers to needs in their community, Volunteer Connect also ensures a better volunteer experience through virtual volunteer management training for organizations and education about service for volunteers.

Volunteer Connect is powered by Volunteer Florida. To search for volunteer opportunities in your community, register your organization, or to learn more, visit volunteerflorida.org or sign up for Volunteer Florida’s newsletter by clicking here.

Women at Volunteer Florida Lead by Example in Local Community

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Volunteer Florida, the state agency responsible for promoting volunteerism and national service, boasts a staff of accomplished women, many of whom were recently recognized for their dedication to serving the community.

“I am extremely proud of these women,” said Vivian Myrtetus, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “They exemplify the values of Volunteer Florida both at work and in their spare time.”

National Service Programs Director, Cat Keen, is a former honoree of the Tallahassee Democrat’s “25 Women You Need to Know,” and she was recently elected as Vice President of Club 25. This nonprofit organization is comprised of other honorees who donate their time, resources and expertise to empower women and make Tallahassee a better place for all to live.

Cat was also selected to participate in the upcoming class of Leadership Tallahassee, a year-long program designed to encourage interaction among local leaders and facilitate community involvement, including rigorous curriculum, assessments and mentoring.

Deputy Director of Emergency Management, Marcia Warfel, was chosen to serve as a Community Catalyst – an agent of change who helps implement a community-wide project to support Tallahassee’s economic mobility – by the Knight Creative Communities Institute. Additionally, she was also recognized as one of the “25 Women You Need to Know,” as well as a Women of Distinction through the Girls Scouts of the Florida Panhandle.

The following are other recent achievements among Volunteer Florida employees:

  • Anitra Thomas, AmeriCorps Program Manager, was also honored at Tallahassee Community College’s Women’s History Month program.
  • Volunteer Generation Fund Manager, Audrey Kidwell, was appointed to serve on the Tallahassee/Leon County Animal Shelter Advisory Board.
  • Jane Atkinson, AmeriCorps Program Manager, was selected to join the Advisory Board of UKirk, the Presbyterian Church Campus Ministry at Florida State University.

Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state, and also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters. For more information, please visit volunteerflorida.org.

Volunteer Florida Distributes $5 Million to Fund Hurricane Irma Recovery Efforts

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Volunteer Florida, the state’s agency responsible for securing volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters, distributed more than $5 million from the Florida Disaster Fund Hurricane Irma Recovery Grant today. Following a competitive Request for Proposal process, 33 different organizations, providing crucial repair, restoration and reconstruction or replacement services throughout Florida, were selected to receive the funding.

The Florida Disaster Fund was established to assist communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters. Last September, Governor Scott activated the fund to finance organizations, like the recent grantees, that serve those impacted by Hurricane Irma.

“Volunteer Florida is proud to support organizations that invest in Florida’s future and prove the state’s resiliency,” said Vivian Myrtetus, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “From community-wide transformations to satisfying individual needs, these funds will be used to ensure the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma do not stand in the way of Floridians’ continued success.”

The grantees are as follows:

  • Centro Campesino: $250,000.00
  • Florida Regional Interfaith Interagency Emergency Network in Disaster, Inc.: $250,000.00
  • Volusia Interfaith Agencies Networking in Disaster: $250,000.00
  • Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, Inc.: $250,000.00
  • St. Johns Housing Partnership, Inc.: $250,000.00
  • Lake and Sumter Recovery, Inc.: $250,000.00
  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc.: $250,000.00
  • Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Inc.: $250,000.00
  • Long Term Recovery Group, Monroe County: $250,000.00
  • The Immokalee Unmet Needs Coalition: $250,000.00
  • Samuel’s House (DBA KeysStrong.org): $250,000.00
  • Hearts & Hands Disaster Recovery: $250,000.00
  • Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Central Florida: $175,000.00
  • Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Northeast Florida: $175,000.00
  • Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Tampa Bay: $175,000.00
  • Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Collier County: $175,000.00
  • Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Monroe County: $175,000.00
  • Compass 82: $150,000.00
  • Disaster Services Corporation, St. Vincent de Paul, USA: $150,000.00
  • United Way of Broward County: $150,000.00
  • The Business & Technology Development Corporation: $150,000.00
  • Recover Pinellas: $128,619.00
  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.: $106,092.00
  • BRACE: $100,000.00
  • Feeding Northeast Florida: $100,000.00
  • Orange County Long Term Recovery Group: $100,000.00
  • Farm Share, Inc.: $100,000.00
  • Catholic Charities, St. Augustine Regional Office: $100,000.00
  • National Church Residences Foundation: $100,000.00
  • Northeast Florida Builders Association, Builders Care, Inc.: $100,000.00
  • Naples Senior Center at JFCS: $100,000.00
  • LTRO of Citrus County: $100,000.00
  • St. Johns/Putnam County Long Term Recovery Organization: $50,000.00

Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state, and also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters.  

Established in accordance with Section 14.29 (9), Florida Statutes, the Volunteer Florida Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. The Florida Disaster Fund, administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, was established in 2004 to assist with needs unmet by other disaster relief organizations.

Volunteer Florida Announces Betty Mulligan as the 2018 Florida Volunteer of the Year

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Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in the state, is proud to announce Betty Mulligan as the 2018 Florida Volunteer of the Year. After 35 years of teaching, Betty dedicated her retirement to developing a free tutoring program in Martin County, allowing students to expand their vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension skills.

“Betty exemplifies selfless volunteerism and community service,” said Vivian Myrtetus, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “Her passion for literacy and her commitment to sharing it with an impressionable, influential generation of students is unparalleled in Florida and essential to the state’s continued success.”

Since 2017, Betty has worked with United Way of Martin County to enlist more than 80 tutors from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). RSVP, part of Senior Corps, is one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people 55 and older. In Martin County, these volunteers provide crucial one-on-one attention and instruction to more than 200 students at five different elementary schools every year.

Betty trains the tutors and monitors their hours, as well as the students’ progress and completes necessary paperwork. She ensures the program’s success by administering pre-tests, analyzing the students’ strengths and weaknesses, and creates individual lesson plans and specific goals. To measure results, Betty and her team of volunteers offer a post-test at the end of the school year. In 2015-2016, 92 percent of students in the program achieved or exceeded their goals, becoming fluent and often proficient readers, increasing their overall confidence and self-esteem.

In 2018, Betty plans to advance the program in Martin County by recruiting more than 100 tutors, providing early intervention to younger students and incorporating helpful technology, such as iPads.

Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state, and also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters. For more information, please visit volunteerflorida.org. 

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) engages Americans age 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. Volunteers tutor children, renovate homes, teach English to immigrants, assist victims of natural disasters, provide independent living services, recruit and manage other volunteers and serve their communities in many other ways. RSVP is a part of Senior Corps, a program administered the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering, service and civic engagement. CNCS engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteer and service efforts. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov.

Volunteer Florida Kicks Off April as Florida Volunteer Month

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Every year, the state of Florida recognizes April as Florida Volunteer Month. This year, Volunteer Florida is launching #VF30in30. This new initiative will recognize 30 outstanding Florida volunteers by highlighting one volunteer a day throughout the month of April. Volunteer Florida also announced a statewide public service announcement and a proclamation from Governor Rick Scott.

Governor Scott said, “I’m glad to recognize the service of volunteers across Florida who dedicate their time to make a difference in their communities. Floridians dedicated millions of hours during last year’s devastating hurricane season, and we are proud to honor them in April.”

Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “It is always an honor to recognize the thousands of amazing volunteers throughout our state who work to make a difference in their communities each and every day. We are excited to celebrate this month—to honor and recognize our volunteers, as well as encourage others to learn more about volunteer opportunities throughout the state.”

Florida Volunteer Month activities are as follows:

#VF30in30
Florida is fortunate to have so many outstanding volunteers. During this month of recognition, Volunteer Florida will highlight one of these dedicated volunteers each day in April. To see the volunteers’ profiles, please visit this link.

Volunteer of the Year
For the second year in a row, Volunteer Florida will recognize a Volunteer of the Year. This individual will be recognized for his or her outstanding service and community contributions. Volunteer Florida will announce the Volunteer of the Year in late April.

Public Service Announcement (PSA)
In honor of Florida Volunteer Month and in partnership with Comcast, a video PSA promoting volunteerism will air on Comcast networks across Florida.
Watch the PSA here.

Comcast Cares Day
As part of the Comcast Cares Day, the largest corporate philanthropy day in the nation, Volunteer Florida will host a service project at Poinciana Park Elementary School in Miami on April 10. As part of the project, volunteers will engage 50 students through hands on learning stations, including a healthy eating demonstration, literacy, physical fitness and the arts.

Volunteer Florida encourages Floridians to use the hashtag #ServeFL on social media when sharing their photos and stories of service. To find an existing project or register your own, visit comcastinthecommunity.com. 

Volunteer Florida Recognizes Emergency Management Volunteers

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Earlier this week, during Volunteer Florida’s third annual emergency management partner convening meeting in Orlando, the organization recognized Heather Mazurkiewicz, Sonja Sanders and Bill Wealand for excellence in volunteerism.

Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “Last year’s Hurricane Irma caused widespread devastation across the state. During this time of loss, we saw communities come together and we were reminded of the power of selflessness as so many people left behind their own families and homes to come to the aid of others. That spirit is reflected in the emergency management volunteers honored this week who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

Volunteer Florida Emergency Management Director Ken Skalitzky said, “Volunteers are critical to every community’s ability to respond to an emergency. They are at the front lines of an emergency situation from the time a threat emerges to well into the recovery phase. They are an integral part of the support systems that must be provided to those in need before, during and after an emergency situation. I commend Heather, Sonja and Bill for their exceptional commitment and dedication to their communities.”

The third annual emergency management partner convening meeting brought together more than 150 government, nonprofit and private sector emergency management leaders from more than 60 organizations across Florida.

About the Volunteers Recognized:

Heather Mazurkiewicz
Heather is the Public Education Officer for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District in Naples. She is the Program Manager for their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Before, during and after Hurricane Irma, Heather led her team to volunteer more than 2,000 hours. The volunteers were used to evacuate elderly persons to shelters, they also staffed shelters, phone banks, food and water distribution sites, conducted community assessments and distributed community safety messages door to door. Additionally, she has trained more than 200 new CERT volunteers since the hurricane and has more than 70 people attend her monthly alumni meetings. Heather also serves as a volunteer firefighter.

Sonja Sanders
Sonja is a volunteer with the American Red Cross. She began as a volunteer in 1990 at Eglin Air Force Base Hospital specializing in administrative support and patient care. She continues to volunteer with the American Red Cross serving as the disaster chair for the entire Disaster Leadership Team in the 10 northwestern counties of the Florida Panhandle. As the lead liaison to the Florida SECO, Sonja has deployed and responded to over 30 National Disaster Operations. Sonja was deployed in Tallahassee for Hurricane Irma for 13 weeks. She is also a nationally recognized Red Cross Disaster Instructor for multiple exercises that include training.

Bill Wealand
Bill started a disaster ministries program in Ohio through United Church of Christ (UCC). In 1998, he began a disaster ministries program in Florida through UCC. That same year, Bill became the UCC representative for the Florida VOAD. After Bill retired from United Church of Christ, he continued part time as the disaster ministries coordinator until 2017. In 2017, Bill began the emotional and spiritual care program through the Florida VOAD and coordinated his efforts through FEMA.