After over more than a year of planning, fundraising, and preparation, the Solano Nonprofits Coalition gathered last week at the County Administrative Center with United Way of the Bay Area, local partners and community leaders to announce the launch of the Volunteer Center of Solano County.
“Volunteers are an essential resource for nonprofits in Solano County. Our nonprofit agencies are seeing an unprecedented surge in demand during this recession from low-income families who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Supervisor John Vasquez, Chair of the Solano County Board of Supervisors. “Volunteers can multiply the power of programs for seniors at home and kids who need tutoring, as well as protect wildlife or help stray animals. People who volunteer at nonprofits also tend to donate to those nonprofits, which is so very important because of reductions in funding these days.”
The Volunteer Center website will be open to the general public this summer. Right now, the Center is encouraging all nonprofit and public agencies to list their volunteer opportunities as soon as possible. To do so, please visit www.VolunteerSolano.org or call 707-422-2232.
If you are interested in volunteering, the Center’s website will begin matching individuals and groups with opportunities this summer. If you would like to receive an email notification when the website is completed, please email info@volunteersolano.org.
Prior to the launch, Solano was the only Bay Area County without a countywide Volunteer Center. To explore this gap, the Solano Nonprofits Coalition convened an Advisory Council, chaired by United Way of the Bay Area.
Aimee Durfee, United Way vice president for the North Bay Region, who chaired the Advisory Council, said, “I think the creation of the Volunteer Center will provide a vital piece of infrastructure that has the potential to drastically improve our community here in Solano County. Volunteers can be a powerful force — in these challenging times, we need all the help we can get!”
Solano community and nonprofit leaders learn about the new Volunteer Center
The Council has selected the Volunteer Center of the East Bay to operate the Solano Volunteer Center and has raised over $60,000 thus far to support the effort. Although the Advisory Council has secured enough funds for the first year of operation, more funds are needed to sustain the effort over three years. To make a donation, go to www.VolunteerSolano.org.
