National Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month—dedicated to expressing gratitude for community members who generously share their time and talents to support young people through CHOOSE 180.
We would like to say thank you to our community of support. We, as an organization, are better because of this dedication and commitment to the cause. We love to see the community showing up for young people and sharing their relatable lived experiences.
When community members get involved with CHOOSE 180, they are impacting the communities that we serve in many ways. As an organization that’s growing and expanding quickly, volunteers help us fill gaps. They bring positive energy and new ideas. They also serve as mentors to us, because they’re experts in their own fields and can advise us on current best practices.
For example, one volunteer was passionate about our cause, and he wanted to learn more about systems of oppression and serving the community. He filled out our volunteer forms, but saw a need for a more accessible, user-friendly form. He took the initiative to create a new one for us to use. Not only have other team members asked for similar updated forms to support their programs, but we’ve actually had more potential volunteers fill out and submit forms to get involved. This supporter made certain communications more accessible to our community of support just by sharing his skills.
Volunteers have served in many ways. Here are just a few:
Diversion workshop volunteers
Community engagement
Website, database, and tech support
CHOOSE Freedom speakers/facilitators
Summer program support
HR committee
General office support
Grant volunteers
Diversion workshop volunteers have been a critical part of our organization. Rebecca Thornton started as a volunteer and is now our full-time Office Manager & Bookkeeper. “Before the pandemic, I attended the [diversion] workshops almost monthly from 2016 to February 2020. I was able to share my 180 journey when it came to drugs and alcohol. I’ve been able to share my story in several different capacities, but I felt it was able to do the most good in the safe place that CHOOSE 180 created. I had the opportunity to meet incredible youth and young adults, some of whom I still think of to this day, as they made such an impact on my heart with their own stories.
I am a full-time staff member now and my role has changed, but I always look for opportunities to connect with our youth so I don’t forget that is why I am here in the first place. I’ve always believed in what CHOOSE 180 is doing for our community, and in joining this organization, I’ve been able to not only grow as a person, but be of service to others and learn what community really is.”
Together, we can engage communities, collaborate as thought partners, advocate for the transformation of oppressive systems, and create community connections to build a strong network of support.
For more info or to get involved, visit our website or contact Christina Chan, Community Engagement Manager, at cchan@choose180.org.