Volunteerism builds compassionate communities, directly driving missions and fostering a more connected and supportive society. By contributing their time and skills, volunteers enable nonprofits like Community Housing Network (CHN) to offer essential services that would otherwise require funding for paid staff. In Ohio, the value of an hour of volunteering is estimated at $31.89 by Independent Sector, emphasizing the significant cost savings and the profound impact volunteers have on nonprofit operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a decline in formal volunteerism from 30% to 23%, as reported by AmeriCorps, with levels still not fully rebounding to pre-pandemic rates. This comes at a time when nonprofits are experiencing higher demand for their services, making volunteer engagement more crucial than ever. Volunteers help bridge the gap, ensuring nonprofits can extend more personalized support to those they serve.
Volunteering benefits not only organizations but also the individuals who give their time. Through community service, volunteers gain leadership skills, strengthen their resumes, and build valuable connections within their communities.
At CHN, we deeply appreciate the dedication of our volunteers who contribute to creating safe, comfortable, and permanent homes for our residents, as well as providing critical supportive services like mental health counseling, life skills workshops, and employment training.
Jessica Pfister, a volunteer at CHN, shares: “We volunteer with CHN because it gives our team the opportunity to support a vital local organization that has addressed housing needs in this community for many years. CHN’s mission and vision align with ours at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where our goal is to improve health in Ohio. We achieve this through community engagement with impactful organizations like CHN.”
There are many ways to get involved with CHN. Organizing donation drives for toiletries and household essentials is one way to support residents. Additionally, volunteers can contribute through activities like landscaping, decorating community spaces, preparing and serving meals, and more.
Make a difference with CHN! Support our mission of providing affordable housing and essential services to our residents by volunteering. To learn more and get involved, please visit our Volunteer page.
