Meet MCVC's New Manager!

VOLUNTEER NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Meet MCVC's New Manager, Faith McNeill

We welcome Faith McNeill as the new Manager for the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. With more than 10 years of professional experience working with local communities and non-profits, Faith understands the power of people and how important it is to connect, build, and empower others. Her dedication to helping others started at an early age volunteering through church and Girl Scouts in her hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. Faith is passionate about public service, building communities, and using resources wisely.

Faith graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a degree in Psychology and African American Studies. After college Faith relocated to Maryland to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer with City Year, DC followed by a year of service with Public Allies, DC. In her role as an AmeriCorps volunteer, she built lifelong relationships, inspired countless youth, and began her professional public leadership career. During her time in Montgomery County, Faith worked with the Montgomery County Conservation Corps and the Latin American Youth Center where she led efforts to provide meaningful workforce development opportunities and wrap-around services to Montgomery County youth.

Faith values opportunities to work collaboratively toward innovative solutions. Many describe her as a person who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. In her spare time, she loves a good “Do It Yourself” project, and any opportunity to learn a new skill. Faith also enjoys participating in outdoor recreational activities and has been a Montgomery County resident for seven years.

What role has volunteering played in your life?

Growing up my parents made sure to teach me the importance of community and being an active member of my community. As an adult I often find myself repeating the quote, “You can do anything, but not everything.” Service continues to be one of my personal core values. For me, volunteering and service to my community can help any place to feel like home!

What are your priorities in leading the Volunteer Center?

I am looking forward to spotlighting the Montgomery County Volunteer Center as the dynamic resource that it is. It adds great value to Montgomery County and I want to prioritize increased visibility for our services as we work together to maximize the efforts of our staff, nonprofits and other agencies, and our volunteers.

I want to think creatively and collaboratively around how we can spread the good news about how nonprofits, businesses, our government, and our community members are working together in service to one another to maintain the richness of the resources in Montgomery County. It is my hope that one day soon, the Volunteer Center becomes a household staple for all Montgomery County residents as they seek opportunities to connect with one another, build community, overcome adversity, strengthen our workforce, and so much more.

50+ Volunteer Network Helps You Find Your Best Volunteer Fit

Are you age 50 or over and looking to make a significant contribution of time and talent to serve our community? The 50+ Volunteer Network can help. Through personal consultations with volunteers and ongoing relationships with partner agencies, the program connects you with service opportunities that match your interests and experience.

Eligible individuals who want to commit to a purposeful volunteer position meet (currently virtually) with network advisors. These conversations help guide volunteers through not only the types of organizations they'd like to serve, but also the types of service they want to provide--whether it's direct services to agencies' clients, ongoing organizational support, or utilizing your professional skills. Advisors then suggest specific recommendations for volunteer opportunities with the network's partner agencies.

In the four years since its launch, the 50+ Volunteer Network has connected hundreds of volunteers with a broad range of organizations, including many with needs directly related to the pandemic. Current network volunteers are engaged as food distribution volunteer coordinators, tutors and mentors, program managers and assistants, outreach and advocacy specialists, board members, communications and marketing professionals, and more.

Ready to get started? Complete the 50+ Volunteer Network application and email it to [email protected].

50+ Volunteer Network

FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Spring Into Action!

With the weather warming up, there are a variety of new volunteer opportunities popping up, including outdoor activities, virtual volunteer needs, and socially distanced indoor opportunities. Those opportunities with the diploma icon are eligible for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. (SSL is a Maryland state graduation requirement, and students must earn 75 SSL hours to meet the requirement.) Be sure to use the search box at the top of this email or on any page of the Volunteer Center website to search for more ways to serve.

FOOD PACKING AND DISTRIBUTION: Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community. Vaccinated teens and adults are needed on Friday, April 15 to work on-site in Takoma Park, MD from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. Email Roxanne with questions and learn more here.

PLANT REMOVAL WORKDAY: Join Rockville Weed Warrior Leaders for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday from1-3 pm at Rockcrest Park. Online registration is required and spaces are limited. Learn more about guidelines and find registration link here.

IN-PERSON MOCK INTERVIEW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: SEEC is holding its first in-person mock interviews in 2 years from March 14-March 16. Interviews help their job seekers polish their interview skills and network with community members. If interested in participating, complete this survey.

MAKE KINDBANANABREADS OR KINDCASSEROLES: Provide ready-made meals to older adults serviced by Gaithersburg Cares Hub and living in the Hillside Senior Apartment Homes. Drop off date is Thursday, March 10 between 9:30 am and 4 pm. See details and link to sign up.

SUMMER DAY CAMP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Teens can experience firsthand the satisfaction of helping children with disabilities gain the most from their summer from June 27 to August 19 at Montgomery County Recreation camps. Camps are outdoors and there are opportunities all over Montgomery County. Mandatory orientation/training are available during spring and early summer. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and make a one-week minimum commitment (Monday to Friday). Registration details can be found here. Contact marco.d'[email protected] or call 240-777-6891 for details.

Opportunities marked with the graduation cap icon meet the MCPS guidelines for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours--but they're not just for students! Other opportunities may be eligible for SSL hours; visit the MCPS SSL website to learn more.

View all opportunities

Support Families Needing Food Assistance

Many volunteer needs have evolved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but one need has remained paramount throughout the last year: food assistance. Throughout every zip code in the county, individuals and families continue to turn to food providers to help keep food on their tables. And food providers continue to turn to volunteers to help serve these needs.

Here are three general ways to get involved:

Volunteer at food distribution sites. Opportunities include packaging food behind the scenes as well as assisting at distribution events.
Deliver boxes of food to homebound residents, which is typically a contactless activity.
Donate food and other necessities, including nonperishable groceries, produce, and prepared meals.

Learn more and find a list of food hubs and nonprofits needing regular assistance with food needs online.

See all food needs

NEWS & RESOURCES

Deadline: March 11

Last Call for Montgomery Serves Awards Nominations

Don't miss the opportunity to recognize neighbors and friends who have stepped up and given back this past year! Nominations are now open for the Montgomery Serves Awards, our county's highest honor for volunteer service. This prestigious annual awards program is coordinated by the Volunteer Center and recognizes volunteer efforts in the following categories:

Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award, for lifetime service by residents age 60 and up
Volunteer of the Year Award, for an individual, in recognition of volunteer service performed in 2021
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, for a volunteer age 18 or younger who served in 2021
Volunteer Group of the Year Award, for a group or team of two or more people who volunteered together on the same project(s) in 2021
Business Volunteer of the Year Award, for community service by a business in 2021

To nominate deserving volunteers, complete the appropriate online nomination forms linked above no later than Friday, March 11, at 5 pm.

Montgomery Serves Awards

Watch the Ways to Make a Difference

Make a Difference, a monthly County Cable Montgomery program, highlights the contributions of stellar county volunteers and organizations that work to better our community.

February's episode featured Bertha Ballwe from the Pan-Hellenic Council, a collaborative umbrella composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, to talk about volunteer opportunities.

Subscribe to Our Partner Newsletters

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is part of the Office of Community Partnerships, which works to strengthen the relationship between the Montgomery County government and the residents it serves, with special emphasis on underserved and emerging communities. Subscribe to the monthly OCP newsletter to keep up with these activities.

Follow these links to subscribe to our other partner agencies' electronic publications:

Visit our website

Montgomery County Volunteer Center

[email protected]

240-777-2600