April is National Volunteer Month, and April 15th to the 21st is National Volunteer Week. Both serve as reminders of the many ways volunteers assist the City of Yakima in its outreach to serve residents.
“The City of Yakima appreciates the many volunteers who are giving back to the community,” said Mayor Kathy Coffey. “Their assistance makes it possible for the City to expand services and opportunities for residents.”
From City-appointed boards, committees, and commissions to the City fire and police departments, volunteers are making a difference day-in and day-out. An example of that impact is in the City of Yakima’s Office of Neighborhood Development Services (ONDS).
“ONDS uses volunteers to provide free snow removal, lawn and debris services, alley and vacant lot clean up, graffiti removal, and assembly of wheel chair ramps,” said ONDS Manager Archie Matthews. “In 2017 we logged 9,527 volunteer hours and in the past 10 years we have logged a total of 104,362 hours.”
ONDS started working with local volunteers in 1995, when it began working with Habitat for Humanity to paint homes for qualified senior/disabled property owners during the summer months.
“Over the years, we have broadened our volunteer base working with local schools, churches, and other local organizations,” Matthews said. “We also began working with the local justice system to work with court-ordered community service hours and have memorandums of understanding with the Juvenile Court, DWI Court, Gang Court and Drug Court.”
Over at the City of Yakima’s Harman Center, volunteers serve in the kitchen, teach classes, help with gardening and organize a library. Volunteers play such an important role that the Center offers a “Volunteer of the Month” honor.
“They are a fabulous help to the Center and we appreciate every single one of them,” said Recreation Program Supervisor Leslie Richards. “If anyone wants to volunteer at the Harman Center they just need to give me a call (576-6402) or come by the Center.”
Call 575-6101 for information on volunteering with the City’s Office of Neighborhood Development Services.