Complex social problems, such as violence and homelessness, continue to challenge us. Our Valley communities are being threatened with the possibility of a flood from the Green River. We are in the throes of the biggest economic recession in half a century. Yet in spite of these hardships, there is still a valued commitment going strong in our communities: volunteer service.
In these hard times – particularly in hard times – there’s something about the human character that pulls us together, inspiring neighbors to help neighbors and citizens to give back to their communities. New data proves this.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that approximately 63 million Americans, or nearly 27 percent of the population, volunteered their time and skills in the past year. Even as budgets shrink – government, corporate, household or otherwise – people of all ages and backgrounds are pulling together to meet local needs, strengthen communities and increase civic engagement through service projects.
Serving with national and local nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations and other groups, these individuals tutor and mentor children, coordinate after-school programs, build homes, conduct neighborhood patrols, restore the environment and more.
We have seen these efforts across international borders in the wake of an earthquake that left the country of Haiti in ruins. In the past week alone, the United Nations reported providing more than 272,000 displaced Haitians with shelter and over 1.1 million families with food in their greatest time of need.
These selfless acts of generosity and volunteerism are also taking place right here at home, often times just right outside our front door. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, in the past year, there has been a significant spike in the number of those taking the initiative to address needs in their own neighborhoods. And young people are leading the way. Our younger generation is one of the most socially conscious in history. The number of young adults (age 16 to 24) in the U.S. who volunteer has seen a steady rise since 2007.
Young and old alike, King County residents are some of the most generous with their time and efforts. In 2008 the King County Communities Count reported that nearly half of all adult residents reported participating in some form of local community service and 85 percent said they were active in at least one community organization such as a neighborhood, political, civic, youth, cultural, educational or religious group.
King County is the epicenter for organizations driving the national community-service movement. It is home to groundbreaking organizations like World Vision, Global Partnerships and Catholic Community Services.
The government of King County donates its retired Metro Vanpool vans to non-profit organizations providing these valuable community services. For example, last month I was thrilled to be able to deliver a van to an organization called Somali Youth & Family Club, a non-profit organization serving refugee and immigrant populations. This organization estimates that its volunteers are providing thousands of community service hours to their clients each month. The retired van, which will primarily be operated by volunteers, will provide much-needed transportation to individuals and families across South King County.
South King County remains a region with incredible need. According to the Washington State Superintendant of Public Instruction, more than 47 percent of students in the Renton School District qualify for free and reduced lunch. In the Tukwila School District this number jumps to nearly 74 percent.
Yet while these statistics seem daunting, it’s inspiring to learn that these students are met with 10s of thousands of volunteer hours being invested inside the classroom and after school, helping boost student achievement and combat the dropout rate. Communities in Schools and the Community Schools Collaboration are two wonderful organizations that work with our South King County school districts, and two that I would encourage you to get involved with.
In King County, thousands of people go without food, clothing, shelter, a mentor or a job. Just the other day I discovered www.serve.gov, a website created by President Obama as part of his “United we Serve” initiative. Here I simply entered my zip code to generate hundreds of volunteer opportunities right in my own backyard!
We all know a volunteer. Many of us ourselves are volunteers. We understand first-hand the selfless nature of those who give with no expectation of being paid for their time. We can’t look away from the issues or escape each other’s fates, for in the end we are all connected. Community service fortifies that connection. Thanks to the great volunteers in our community for all that they do.
