It’s National Volunteer Week, and this year, we are deeply grateful to all who have continued to offer their time and energy to support CommonBond residents in reaching their goals. It’s been a challenging year in so many ways, but we’ve been able to keep offering critical programs and services largely because of the flexibility and dedication of CommonBond volunteers.
At the onset of the pandemic, we knew that youth residents especially would need continued support as they adjusted to schooling from home and the sudden change in routine and availability of resources. CommonBond volunteers—even as they, too, were adjusting to new realities—were quick to adapt to a virtual format and eager to help. Study Buddy tutoring and homework help shifted, and now a year later, we’ve seen how meaningful volunteer help and support has been for CommonBond youth. We’re so thankful to our volunteers who showed up in new ways with good spirits, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone again in-person (hopefully soon)!
In honor of Volunteer Week, we wanted to share some testimony and gratitude from our staff at a few of our housing communities:
Granada Lakes Townhomes
We are extremely thankful to have volunteers during this pandemic. We know how hard it has been on everyone and we couldn’t have run Study Buddies successfully without them. Our volunteers have adapted tremendously well to zoom and the new ways of Study Buddies in such a short amount of time. They have been extremely patient with us on many occasions for example; onboarding and learning new ways to connect, maneuvering through in-person programming to all virtual, technical difficulties when they arise, and as well as being mindful of kids and their mental capacity, especially during this time.
The success we have seen is that the kids still get a chance to see their volunteers even though it may not be face to face, they appreciate the interaction and commitment of the volunteers. The kids get to continue to build a meaningful relationship outside of their community and school with these volunteers. This proves that through hard times like this we fight to stay connected for our young ones. Another success is that volunteers have fully adapted to an online format in such a short amount of time. We know our volunteers are busy and have a life outside of their work, but their willingness to show up and learn and be present means the world to us here at Granada.
Without volunteers this year, we would not be able to run study buddies at all, since it is a volunteer based program. Having extra staffing this way allows us to run a successful Study Buddies program. Our volunteers at Granada are passionate about their work and we cannot be more lucky.
– Nina Cha (Youth Program Coordinator) and PaajSua Chang (Youth Program Specialist)
Yorkdale Townhomes
Volunteers have stepped up in so many ways during the pandemic. From writing personal notes to their youth buddies to mobilizing their neighbors to donate masks and school supplies, CommonBond volunteers remained physically apart from us, but closer than ever. Now that we have virtual programs up and running, youth have a trusted adult confidant to talk to about the trials and tribulations of their “new normals.”
Even the smallest email check-in from our caring volunteers has meant the world to us at site. The pandemic has been hard for all, but knowing there are supportive community members surrounding our residents has made it that much easier. Thank you, volunteers!!
– Rachel Ladd (Advantage Services Coordinator)
Torre de San Miguel
This year our volunteers have been so understanding and accommodating to our youth with the occurrence of unforeseen technical difficulties.
Our Homework Center would not be able to run in a virtual realm without our volunteers! They are SO helpful to the youth and staff. We love having them!
– Hanna Rode (Youth Program Coordinator)
