By Erin Montgomery, Vice President of Human Resources, Gatepath

 

 

With the holiday season upon us, the quote above from Nelson Mandela serves as a terrific reminder that volunteerism is the rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of others and give back to the community. At Gatepath, we deeply appreciate those who volunteer their time and talents to support our mission. In addition to helping those with special needs and developmental disabilities, our volunteers can improve their overall sense of well-being by helping those we serve. This mutually beneficial relationship between volunteers and program participants is extremely important for Gatepath, as it is for many non-profits.

Doing Good is Good for You

Many who donate their precious time understand the inherent value to their wellbeing and the health of their community by giving back and helping others. The theme of “doing good is good for you,” quantified in the 2013 United Health Group study, continues to be true. The study found that 76% of people who volunteered in the past 12 months said that volunteering made them feel healthier – with an amazing 94% stating that volunteering helped improve their mood. In addition, 78% of those surveyed said that volunteering reduced their stress levels. The study also confirmed that “people who volunteer feel a deeper connection to their communities and to other people.”

“Making them happy, makes me happy,” said Julianne Zuniga, a former volunteer at one of Gatepath’s adult programs who served once a week as a lunchtime dance party DJ. Participants in this program experience joy and happiness from listening and moving to the music. Julianne said she developed a great compassion for those with disabilities from her experience as a babysitter for a child with Down syndrome. “I was motivated to volunteer at Gatepath because I wanted to learn more about the organization and to work more closely with the people they serve.”

Doing Good is Good for the Community

Volunteer contributions have a direct impact on program quality at Gatepath. Every day, our volunteers make an incredible difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Volunteers teach classes based on interest and skillset, serve as chaperones at outings and celebrations, help with administrative tasks, and create experiences that strengthen others.

Volunteers also have an impact on each other and on other community members. I’ve seen firsthand that we build community when we volunteer, and I’ve observed people connect through their volunteer work with peers (and groups of peers) who share experiences and similar values.

“When I first arrived at Gatepath I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a great learning experience and I enjoyed interacting with the participants,” said Jack Loftis, a 16-year-old student at Sacred Heart Preparatory, who volunteered as a teacher’s assistant at Gatepath.

We Appreciate You!

Volunteers are an essential part of Gatepath’s mission. Last year, our volunteers collectively gave 14,000 hours of their time. In recognition of those generous community members, we issue a certificate of appreciation and host a special activity to show our gratitude.

Many corporate volunteer groups have supported Gatepath over the years, including Genentech, Electronic Arts, and Netflix, to name a few. A special thanks to all our corporate volunteers and to our board members who volunteer their time in governance, as well as our Gatepath Auxiliary members who organize fundraising events and host parties for our program participants.

Ways to Volunteer

There are many different ways a person can volunteer at Gatepath, including:

• Individual Volunteers: We have many individual volunteers who provide pro-bono services and donate their time in many ways, such as assisting in our administrative office, teaching various educational and recreational classes, and attending community outings and events. We work with each volunteer to schedule a time that’s most convenient for them.

• Corporate Volunteers: Many businesses in our community help us out with various activities, like building a sandbox, painting a building, hosting a community outing, etc. Earlier this year, for example, Genentech sent about 100 volunteers to host a “Career Day” at our Learning and Employment Campus in Burlingame. We work closely with each organization to create a rewarding experience for their teams that support our vision of creating world where people of all abilities are accepted, respected and included.

• Gatepath Auxiliary: One of the longest standing and largest group’s supporting our mission is the Gatepath Auxiliary. This group of women have volunteered for more than 67 years to help support Gatepath’s fundraising efforts. They’ve helped us purchase our transportation vans, hosted a summer picnic for the adults in our programs, hosted an annual holiday party, and much, much more. Their extraordinary partnership and dedication is greatly appreciated.

We Want You!

At Gatepath, we couldn’t do what we do without volunteers! We invite you to get involved. We’ll work with you to find the right volunteering opportunity for your interests and schedule. If you’re interested in making a difference and giving back, we’d love to talk to you. Check out our website to explore the opportunities and to sign up to volunteer.