Contact:
Fred Whiting
Points of Light Foundation
(202) 729-8177
fwhiting@pointsoflight.org

Ten Communities May Establish Volunteer Centers

WASHINGTON , D.C. (May 10, 2007) – The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network has selected ten dynamic communities that are in need of a Volunteer Center .

“A Volunteer Center is an essential part of every community,” says Mei Cobb, Vice President for Infrastructure and Delivery Systems for the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, a nonprofit organization in Washington , D.C.

“A Volunteer Center brings people and community needs together through a range of programs and services,” she adds. “The Volunteer Center 's role is not to replace other agencies or organizations within the community, but rather to bridge the gap in services provided by these agencies.”

In order to determine the need for a Volunteer Center , the Foundation looks for major population centers or geographical areas in which there is no Volunteer Center . The Foundation's focus is on cities with a population greater than 250,000 and states with less than 25 percent of the population served.

The ten communities that are interested in establishing a local Volunteer Center include:

• Camarillo , Calif.
• Fairfield , Ia.
• Manhattan , Kan.
• Wye Mills, Md.
• Gulfport , Miss.
• Minot and Grand Forks , N.D.
• Concord , N.H.
• Bend, Or.
• Williamsport , Penn.
• Port Angeles , Wash.

“The Foundation's Volunteer Center Start-up Program provides technical assistance, support and training resources to communities interested in new or emerging Volunteer Center development to help establish successful, thriving Volunteer Centers,” says Cobb.

“Increasing universal access to the services of Volunteer Centers is one of the core objectives of the Foundation. Volunteer Centers play a crucial role in maintaining a strong national volunteer force by facilitating volunteering in their local communities. Volunteer Centers work to connect people with opportunities to serve, build the capacity for effective local volunteering, promote volunteering and participate in strategic initiatives that mobilize volunteers to meet local needs.”

The Volunteer Center National Network is comprised of more than 330 Volunteer Centers that offer 1.3 million volunteer opportunities and connect nearly 2.5 million volunteers annually. Volunteer Centers serve more than 73,000 agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations, and they train 140,000 individuals each year in volunteer management.

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