Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee (DSAMT)

“We took every step we could to prepare for our special angel, but no matter how many books you read or websites you visit, nothing beat the testimonials and advice of people who have walked this journey a few steps ahead of you.”

April Booten knew that having a community of supporters around her would make a huge difference as she stepped into unknown territory. At 12 weeks into pregnancy, her baby was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She was so glad there was already an organization filled with people who were willing to be by her side. “I knew we were joining a wonderful family,” she comments as she remembers the director of the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee (DSAMT) visiting her in the hospital the day her son was born.

DSAMT works to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. DSAMT provides support, information, and education to everyone who is touched by Down syndrome within the Tennessee area. Like many other parentswho are part of this organization, April believes that the supportive services offered through DSAMT can help her son be an engaged and welcomed member of our community.

When volunteers participate in DSAMT gatherings, they provide more ways for individuals with Down syndrome to interact with peers and be a part of their communities in a meaningful way. From exercise and creative games to cooking, there are all sorts of ways to be involved. Most importantly, volunteers enable the families to become stronger and help connectthem to more resources and support.

Interestingly, those who start volunteering at DSAMT become part of the family and aren’t likely to leave. DSMT volunteers often talk about how they’ve had life-changing experiences after spending time working with people who have Down syndrome.

If you are interested in joining the team and helping out at DSAMT, here are a few upcoming opportunities to volunteer:

Bike Camp
iCan Bike camp is a life-changing, five-day camp for kids and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to learn to ride a conventional two-wheeled bike independently. Campers each attend a 1.5-hour session each day for five days as they learn to ride on specialized equipment, assisted by trained staff and volunteers. Volunteers will work one-on-one with a biker each day for the week.
> Sign up here.

DSAMT Creative Arts Camp
DSAMT Creative Arts Camp is a week-long creative experience for teens and adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Activities include visual arts, music, creative movement, games, and hanging out with friends. This year’s camp will focus on nature and the environment and will include a field trip to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Volunteers will assist with the campers’ experience.
> Sign up here.

DSAMT Kid’s Camp
DSAMT Kids’ Camp is a new camp for DSAMT, designed and led by two behavior analysts who work with children with disabilities including Down syndrome and have extensive experience and understanding addressing goals in a group environment. Children benefit from small group instruction with one of two behavior analysts, while learning alongside age-appropriate peers. Volunteers will assist with small group activities or record data, all under the direction of the behaviorists.
> Sign up here to help with campers ages 3 to 5.
> Sign up here to help with campers ages 6 to 8.

The Buddy Walk
The Buddy Walk® was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to promote acceptance and awareness of people with Down syndrome.The Nashville Buddy Walk has grown significantly over the past 15 years. Our friends with Down syndrome bring their friends, family, teachers, neighbors, legislators, celebrities, therapists, or anyone to promote the importance of understanding, acceptance, and awareness and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of those with Down syndrome. Volunteers will help plan and organize the walk in advance, and on event day will distribute t-shirts, work registration, hand out water, direct people to/from staging areas, supervise activities, and more.
> Sign up to help.
> Sign up to be on The Buddy Walk planning committee.

Mayor Dean Announces Seven Excellence in Volunteer Engagement (EVE) Recipients

57 Nashville-area Nonprofits Now Formally Recognized for High-quality Volunteer Management

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, Mayor Karl Dean announced that seven nonprofit organizations have been formally recognized for their high-quality volunteer management programs, and have received Excellence in Volunteer Engagement (EVE) certification. This brings the number of Middle Tennessee nonprofits that are EVE-certified to 57.

Excellence in Volunteer Engagement, the first such certification effort in the nation, was developed in 2011 by the Mayor’s Office, in partnership with Hands On Nashville and the Center for Nonprofit Management. The program seeks to recognize nonprofit agencies with effective volunteer programs and to encourage other organizations to join them in improving volunteer opportunities for the community. Dean recognized the recipients at an event this morning at the Center for Nonprofit Management’s office in the Trolley Barns/Rolling Mill Hill.

Mayor Dean commends the newly EVE-certified nonprofit organizations on May 2.

“I have always been proud of the strong volunteer spirit that Nashville has,” Dean said. “I commend these nonprofits for providing the types of meaningful volunteer experiences that engage the passion of our volunteers and put their skills to the best use in serving those in need. These organizations have also been important in increasing the number of volunteers in our city, helping Nashville achieve its highest-ever volunteer ranking.”

In early 2013, it was announced that Nashville ranks No. 14 of the 51 largest cities in the United States in terms of volunteerism, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Volunteering and Civic Life in America 2012 report.

A Nashville Humane Association volunteer working an information booth at a local Farmers’ Market.

The seven organizations that achieved certification include Christian Community Services, Inc., Coalition for Healthy Aging at Vanderbilt, Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, Nashville Humane Association, Project C.U.R.E., Sexual Assault Center, and The Junior League of Nashville.

A panel of judges representing the community determine which agencies qualify for a two-year certification. Certified organizations showed effectiveness in specific areas of volunteer management, including a defined volunteer program with an identified, dedicated and trained manager; a screening process that aligns volunteers’ skills and abilities with appropriate tasks; orientation for all volunteers; and an evaluation process to affirm a volunteer’s impact on the community and agency.

Application is open to all nonprofit agencies in Davidson County with no restrictions on the size or budget of the organization and no application fee. EVE applications are accepted twice a year, and the next application period will begin June 4 with certifications being awarded in August 2013. Applications can be found on the Center for Nonprofit Management’s website, www.cnm.org, or Hands On Nashville’s website, www.HON.org.

Excellence in Volunteer Engagement is part of the Mayor’s Office “Impact Nashville” initiative, which Dean launched on Sept. 30, 2010, as part of the national Cities of Service movement. Impact Nashville directs volunteerism toward two top priorities, public education and the environment. Aligned with the goals of the Cities of Service national coalition, Impact Nashville strives to improve the impact of volunteerism across our city in four areas: the impact for those being served, the impact for the volunteer, the impact on the agency’s mission and the impact on our community.

About Hands On Nashville

Hands On Nashville’s mission is to meet community needs through volunteerism. For more than 20 years, Hands On Nashville (HON) volunteers have been addressing critical issues facing the Middle Tennessee community such as hunger, homelessness and environmental protection. In 2012, HON connected or referred more than 117,000 volunteers to service opportunities, making it one of the largest volunteer resource centers of its kind in the world. Offering more than 400 volunteer opportunities to the community each month at HON.org, Hands On Nashville challenges everyone to find a way to give back and to … Be the Change. Volunteer. For more information, visit www.HON.org or call (615) 298-1108.

Media Contact: 
Becca Wilson, Hands On Nashville
(615) 298-1108 Ext. 406, becca@hon.org

###

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Sports 4 All Foundation

Adam getting ready for an aerobics class to begin.

It’s a little past 9 a.m. and Adam Holland is already jumping around, anxiously awaiting a dip in the pool. He’s learned that combining a strong kick with some hand pulls can really get him ahead of the crowd, and he can do it on his own. Swim class starts in an hour and and he’s proud to be a leader among over 20 of his peers. Adam is 28 years old and lives with Down syndrome, a disorder resulting in developmental disabilities that typically deter him from participating in activities similar to others his age. Thanks to Sports 4 All Foundation, he has no problem participating in sports and activities. Twice a week, Adam joins 20 to 50 of his peers, all people with various disabilities, in group exercise ranging from yoga to aerobics to swimming. He’s one of the most flexible people in the room and continues to motivate others with his character and excitement.

The aerobics class at Project Health brings over 30 participants each week.

Sports 4 All Foundation works to improve the lives of those with disabilities by providing equipment, programming, and education to enable full participation in sports and activities. But, of course, the organization would not be nearly as successful without the help of volunteers. Three to four volunteers often accompany a room of Project Health participants like Adam’s class mentioned above, having fun cheering them on and sharing new skills. Volunteers are also involved in planning events, working at events, and sharing information about Sports 4 All Foundation.

Austin Griffin, a Sports 4 All Foundation work study volunteer, comments, “I didn’t know exactly how to act or how to treat them, but I thought to myself ‘They are people just like me. We all have a disability of some sort. Whether that is not being talented at sports or not being able to sing any song on key. So just treat them as you would anyone.’

“So, that’s what I did. I was timid at first, but as time went on, I became more and more comfortable. I moved from just taking pictures and videos to leading parts of the class. Now every time I go to that class, people come up to give me hugs, handshakes, and high fives. Each person has their own unique personality, and it is a pleasure to see that every week.”

If you’re interested in getting involved, check out the Sports 4 All upcoming volunteer opportunities mentioned below.

> Hoops 4 Health 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament: April 27, 2013 

> Foam Fest: May 4, 2013 

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:
> Project HEALTH Coach

> Equipment Endowment Assistant

If you have any questions, please contact the Sports 4 All Volunteer Coordinator, Anna Dannibale at anna@s4af.org.

> Learn more about Sports 4 All here.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Julie Hill

Between her hobbies of hiking, biking, camping, and painting, Julie Hill seems to find herself leading volunteers and helping others on a regular basis. Just like getting in that habitual workout at the gym, Julie needs her community fix – and the community needs her. Twice a month, this southern California native works with a team to help prep and cook food for people who don’t have easy access to fresh produce. She has become an integral part of The Nashville Food Project, a local nonprofit that seeks to provide increased access to healthy foods in homeless and working poor communities across Davidson County.“I like the Nashville Food Project because you have two steps: preparing the food and handing it out to the individuals in need. I find it very fulfilling to be able to meet the individuals that we are there to help,” says Julie. “For me, volunteering is such a rewarding experience; I get the benefits of helping others and meeting great people who enjoy giving back to the community.”

She’s been working with The Nashville Food Project as a Volunteer Leader since September 2012, but has been an active Hands On Nashville volunteer since 2009. From a very young age, Julie was taught that helping her community was part of normal life. She continues to value the opportunity to help out her community and encourage those around her to do the same.

Julie has found Hands On Nashville to be a wonderful place to get connected. “By offering such a great website and partnerships, and the amazing people, Hands On Nashville makes volunteering truly a no-hassle and thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

Are you looking to get involved with The Nashville Food Project like Julie?
➢ Click here to see a list of upcoming opportunities and sign up.

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Metropolitan Homelessness Commission

It’s a new year with new possibilities for anyone seeking employment. But before beginning the search, job seekers must have all their ducks in a row. This includes legal proof of identification, an appearance of good health and hygiene, showing the physical ability to follow through with job requirements, and, of course, confidence in acquiring the job. For the homeless population, these aren’t merely ducks… they are elephants. And reining them in without help or resources can prove to be a daunting task.

Volunteer to help guide the Project Homeless Connect attendees on February 13.

Thank goodness for Nashville’s largest homeless service provider event, Project Homeless Connect. The Metropolitan Homelessness Commission is recruiting 500 volunteers to assist individuals and families in need at this important event, which takes place on Wednesday, February 13.

This is a one-day, one-stop event providing individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, or on the brink of homelessness, with access to a broad range of services including housing and employment assistance, medical checkups, eye screenings, foot care, legal services, employment assistance, pet care, food, toiletries, and more. The goal of Project Homeless Connect is to remove barriers to housing and employment. This is a true collaborative effort in which more than 70 agencies and hundreds of volunteers come together to provide thousands of services to an expected 1,000 to 1,500 guests.

With such a large event, your hands are certainly needed. Volunteer Vette Hughes, a Bank of America employee, said volunteering at Project Homeless Connect was a great experience for her. “The best part is to be able to help people. I love being able to give time. It has made me see that I can do more about homelessness. I am more aware - homeless people are just people like you and me. Everybody needs help sometime.”

Jason Vanover, of Reliant Bank, volunteered for the second year and said he felt like the day really made a difference to a lot of the guests. “Navigating the ID system is not an easy task. And having the right ID is the lynchpin for so many things. And the people are so appreciative.“

If you’re interested in getting involved, volunteers are needed to help with registration, crowd management, check out, guidance, setup/cleanup, and other duties. One of the main needs is for volunteer guides to pair up with the guests. As a volunteer guide, you will ensure that your assigned guest receives the proper services and respect as they navigate the event. Because so many people in our community come together and care, life is more navigable for our homeless population. You, in addition to the 500 other volunteers and 70 agencies, will help move Nashvillians who are experiencing homelessness one step forward. Read below and see how to be a part of this amazing day.

How to volunteer for Project Homeless Connect on Wednesday, February 13:
> Click here to see volunteer opportunities.
> View Project Homeless Connect’s Website.

Still have questions? Email Tojuana Jordan at Tojuana.Jordan@nashville.gov or call her at 615-880-2773.

Sycamore Pop Up Dinner

Chef Galzin, his wife Caroline, and Jackalope Brewmaster Bailey at the last pop-up dinner in November.

Sycamore Pop Up Dinner
Sunday, January 27
Cafe Fundamental, 1115 Porter Road
$70 per person (includes four courses with cocktail pairings)

On January 27, Sycamore Nashville is hosting yet another pop-up dinner benefiting the Hands On Nashville Urban Farm. This is the second in a series of several pop-up dinners both Chef Galzin and his wife Caroline have initiated since moving to Nashville in July. (Also, right after moving to town, Chef Galzin spent a day at the Farm teaching youth how to make a healthy dish from the veggies they helped to grow.)

As they make plans for their first restaurant together, the Galzins have caused

Wine-braised Pork Sugo with house made pasta from November’s dinner. YUM! We can’t wait to see what’s served this round.

quite a pop-up craze. Their innovative approach not only educates the Nashville community on sustainable practices, but also brings together resources that benefit the local community in a unique way. At their last dinner, Chef Galzin used a whole hog from Phillips Pharm in Davidson County, while carefully explaining his process of using the entire pig to prepare the meal. He reflected on the beauty of food, the culinary responsibility we all have, and the work that we do to support the farming communities here locally. The beer pairings added some laid-back spunk to the dinner, too. Did we mention that proceeds from this dinner were donated to the Hands On Nashville Urban Farm? Philanthropy is a key goal and something they’d like to keep integral in their planning as they prepare for a future restaurant. (Now you know why we love them so much!)

The first course from November’s dinner at Jackalope featured Rillette, City Ham and Pate. Pure deliciousness.

If you weren’t able to attend their last night of deliciousness, you best get your tickets for January’s event happening at Cafe Fundamental, with proceeds again benefiting the HON Urban Farm. This month’s special will feature four-course meals using two whole lambs from Philips Pharm and special craft cocktails from PourTaste mixologists Jon and Lindsay Yeager. Tickets are $70 per person – and are about to sell out. Click here and purchase yours today. See you at the table!

Nonprofit Partner Feature: NeedLink

Volunteers help people sign up for the food box program, make calls to let them know when their box will be delivered, and deliver the 1,500 boxes to people in need throughout Davidson County.

Mr. Cole’s story is all too common. He retired early after undergoing serious medical issues. Then his wife lost her vision during surgery to remove a brain tumor. Now she is no longer able to work, and the couple has exhausted their savings and struggle to pay for medication and other basic needs. They went from getting by just fine to worried about how to cover basic living expenses.

For many people in our community, there’s a very fine line between financial security and crisis. NeedLink Nashville recognizes this, and works to help people meet basic needs in times of emergency.

“NeedLink Nashville helped us keep our lights on,” Mr. Cole says.

Year-round, the organization helps people remain in stable housing and connected to

NeedLink is able to help nearly 10,000 people each year.

critical utility services. During the holidays, NeedLink spreads warmth and cheer with its holiday food box delivery. In fact, volunteers have been helping NeedLink feed people during the holidays for more than 100 years!

“As a single father of four, a food box means a lot. I’ll be able to feed my girls and my little boy a holiday meal that they will remember,” shares Kevin, a food box recipient.

With a small-but-mighty staff of two, NeedLink is able to help nearly 10,000 people each year. That requires a lot of volunteers to help greet clients, answer phone calls, and do daily office tasks.

A lot of extra hands are also needed during the holidays. Volunteers help people sign up for the food box program, make calls to let them know when their box will be delivered, and deliver the 1,500 boxes to people in need throughout Davidson County. Teams of volunteers also help with the holiday mailer, annual special edition, and Rudolph’s Red Nose Run.

Here is a glance at some upcoming opportunities to help out!
Nov. 7 – Special Edition Paper Stuffing
December 7 – Red Nose Run Setup and Course Volunteers
December 11 – Call Holiday Food Box Recipients
December 15 – Holiday Food Box Deliveries

> See upcoming volunteer opportunities with NeedLink here.

> Check out our 2012 Holiday Volunteer Guide for more ways to help NeedLink and other nonprofits during the holiday season. 

> Learn more about NeedLink at www.needlink.org, or follow them on social media! @NeedLink1912 and www.facebook.com/needlinknashville. Questions? Email jann@needlink.org or call (615) 269-6682.

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge

“If it wasn’t for Hope Lodge, I would have slept in my car at Wal-Mart.” Samuel, a guest of Hope Lodge, is one of many for whom this has been a place of refuge and hope during a very difficult time.

The mission of the American Cancer Society (ACS) is to eliminate cancer as a major public health problem through prevention, saving lives, and easing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. The Hope Lodge is a service of ACS, providing lodging at no cost to cancer patients and their families who come into Nashville for treatment. Each year, Hope Lodge serves nearly 1,800 people and gives 23,000 free nights of lodging annually.

One of the easiest ways to lift the spirits of someone suffering from cancer is by offering

Volunteers comfort families at Hope Lodge by providing home-cooked meals.

a home-cooked meal. Several times a month, Hands On Nashville volunteers put together a delicious dinner menu for Hope Lodge guests.

“I really enjoyed meeting and talking to the residents at Hope Lodge,” says one recent volunteer. “They brightened my day and I hope I did the same for them. I also enjoyed meeting the other volunteers.”
> Learn more and sign up here.

Not into dinner, but love the idea of bringing light into someone’s world who is dealing with illness? Consider game night, where you can play a simple game of bingo with the guests and provide a welcome break from stress.
> Learn more and sign up here.

Or give just a few hours a month driving cancer patients to their life-saving treatment as a Road to Recovery driver. Anyone who has a driver’s license, a safe driving record, personal auto insurance, owns or has access to a car, and can spare as little as one morning or afternoon a month is perfect for this volunteer opportunity.
> Learn more and sign up here.

If you’re interested in raising awareness or funds to support the work of American Cancer Society, check out Relay for Life or consider becoming an event committee member.
> Learn more and sign up here.

Read more about additional volunteer opportunities with the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge here.

Notes from the Farm: Welcoming fall, swings, & students

By Josh Corlew, HON Urban Agriculture Program Manager -

It was an amazing first summer at the Hands On Nashville Urban Farm! We harvested 600+ pounds of vegetables and had more than 2,000 volunteers pitch in to transform these five empty lots of flood plain into food producing space where much learning,discovery, and outdoor fun has taken place.

The Farm during peak summer harvest.

Thank you to everyone who has given their time, energy, support, and enthusiasm to make this a successful first year for the Farm! Your volunteerism makes it possible for us to grow healthy food that is donated to nonprofits that serve families in need.

But summer is over, and fall is in the air (and the ground as well). The summer crops of squash, cucumbers, beans, corn, and watermelon are gone. The tomatoes and peppers are nearing the end of their productivity. Our newly leafed out trees are beginning their hibernation process.

Fall, however, brings its own excitement. The change of the weather is invigorating, both to our volunteers who are eager to get warmed up by getting to work, as well as some of our fall crops. We have lots of herbs and flowers that are loving the cooler weather, and our kale has been pruned back and is really enjoying the reprieve from pesky bugs that this time of year brings.

Spinach seedlings pop their heads out of the soil.

We’ve also recently planted quite a bit of spinach and lettuce in some of the garden rows where squash, corn, and beans used to thrive. Now they’re just starting to pop up and leaf out. If all goes well, we’ll be in for a lot of spinach through the winter. We’ve also begun work on the new garden plot, preparing it for a very productive spring by starting some cover crops (these will fill the soil with beneficial nutrients). Next spring we plan on doubling the amount of growing space that we had this year.

Kids from Head Middle Magnet and West End Middle spent part of their fall intercession time at the Farm on Monday.

Fall also means school is back in session. This week we’ve had some great groups of Metro Nashville Public Schools students who volunteered at the Farm as part of their fall intercession and our Hands On Fall Break volunteer opportunities with the HON VolunTEEN Program. In addition to helping turn compost and harvest vegetables, the kids learned how compost works (it gets up to 160 degrees!), why drinks full of sugar aren’t good for our bodies, and how to choose healthier alternatives. A seventh grader named Ricky said he wished he could come to the Farm every day… maybe we have a future farmer in our midst!

VolunTEEN volunteers harvested all these sweet potatoes today!!

We got this awesome thank-you card from the West End Middle students!

If you’ve been by the Farm in a few weeks, you probably noticed our amazing new swings. We were very fortunate to have employees from Molex volunteered last month to make the swings and create some new compost bins. Their enthusiastic volunteerism will help make the farm more productive and enjoyable. The swings are made from beautiful cedar wood, and next spring we’ll have food vines growing up the trellised sides, adding to the food grown at the Farm. We have great hopes for those swings being covered in grapes, muscadines, kiwis, blackberries, raspberries, and all manner of other tasty treats.

Also, we were honored to be featured in Nashville Public Television’s Volunteer Gardener show, which aired this week. Check it out below!

I hope you’ll come down and enjoy the space sometime soon, and if you’d like to volunteer with us this fall, check out our volunteer opportunities here!

Josh Corlew is Hands On Nashville’s Urban Agriculture Program Manager. He oversees the organization’s efforts to engage volunteers in service opportunities that empower them to gain gardening skills, learn about healthy eating choices, and help address our city’s food access issues. An AmeriCorps alumnus, Josh also has a secret past life as a Trekkie (he’s a big fan of the TV series Star Trek, for the uninitiated among us), and he has been known to participate in death-defying canoe trips.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Adam Jones

The Goalball team takes a break to pose for the camera. Hi, team! (Adam is second from the right.)

It’s one thing to know how to play ball, but to play without using your vision is an extra challenge most people don’t experience. Volunteer Adam Jones takes pleasure in putting on goggles covered in duct tape and playing goalball with Tennessee Association of Blind Athletes (TNABA). It forces him to get outside of his comfort zone and use his other senses to make his way around the court. And, he feels good about helping the athletes prepare for their next tournament.

Adam moved to Nashville in 2009, looking for ways he could get engaged with the Nashville community. He found Hands On Nashville’s website and, after trying a few different volunteer options, found himself frequenting the TNABA court. By 2011, he was leading these volunteer opportunities as a HON Volunteer Leader, making a huge difference in the lives of these athletes. Adam comments that he loved this particular volunteer experience because “it combines my love of sports with my fervor for volunteering.”

Adam in action playing goalball with the TNABA players. Go, Adam!

While some people find it daunting to play a new game like goalball, Adam encourages more people to sign up and take a chance, especially if you love competition. Adam says, “New volunteers should not be afraid to dive in completely. Try to beat the TNABA athletes when you play them. They are most assuredly trying to beat you.”

The best part about volunteering is “helping to fill a need,” says Adam. He encourages everyone to find an organization or an activity they love and spend time volunteering there. He says, “Whether the need is great or small, local or international, being able to help by giving of myself is both rewarding and uplifting. I appreciate the work that you do at HON and look forward to volunteering with you more in the future.”

Check out the following opportunities where you can volunteer with TNABA this fall:
> Thursday, October 25, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
> Saturday, November 3, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
> Saturday, November 17, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.