A Good Match for Good Hearts
By OCL Staff
Photos by Tammy Harrow and contributed by St. Johns Volunteers
Lately, it seems that everywhere you look, there is something claiming to have your “perfect match.” In love, in work, in play — there is some website or organization promising to pair you up with your “ideal” situation.
St. Johns Volunteers has taken that concept and applied it to the noble act of volunteering. This innovative new organization is fast becoming the go-to place for people looking to donate their time and talent to benefit others, but have no idea where to start.
St. Johns Volunteers! has assembled a team of staff and dedicated volunteers whose primary duties include what they call ‘matchmaking’. The entire mission of the burgeoning nonprofit is to connect individuals interested in volunteering with the local nonprofit organizations seeking their qualities and talents.
Today, civic matchmaking has gone high tech. Through the St. Johns Volunteers! website, residents can sign up and create a personal volunteer profile. Much like the eHarmony or Match dating websites, the online system seeks to match an individual’s personal interests and skill set with specific nonprofit needs. Once registered, a list of “recommended matches” appears in your online profile, and prospective volunteers can search the database of service opportunities and learn more about local nonprofit organizations.
“Our website showcases an array of volunteer opportunities,” states Carol Saviak, Executive Director of St. Johns Volunteers! “There’s something for everyone.”
The organization recently received a generous grant of $100,000 from Flagler Hospital to expand its services and hours of operation. The Volunteer Center is located at the St. Augustine Record Building at One News Place and is now open Monday through Friday from 9-5 p.m. and after 5 p.m. by appointment.
It is one of the first local initiatives undertaken by a group of business and community leaders who convene informally as the Community Leadership Council (CLC). The council seeks to proactively examine key issues which impact the quality of life in our community as a result of population growth, and envisions St. Johns County as a healthful “community for a lifetime.”
Susan Ponder-Stansel, CEO of Community Hospice & Palliative Care, leads the council and was recently elected to serve as chair of St. Johns Volunteers! Board of Directors. Community Leadership Council members have included Dr. Bill Abare of Flagler College, Joe Gordy of Flagler Hospital, Becky Yanni of the Council on Aging, Andy Witt of the St. Johns Cultural Council, Caren Goldman of Compassionate St. Augustine and other community leaders.
Due to St. Johns County’s rapid rate of growth and aging population, civic engagement was identified as a key issue for the future. The council looked at model volunteer centers in other communities which serve as centralized connection points for volunteerism. Volunteering is beneficial for citizens of every age and increases the service delivery capacity of local nonprofit agencies.
The CLC performed the initial strategic planning for St. Johns Volunteers and the launch has been supported through financial and in-kind services provided by local businesses, Flagler Hospital, and a grant from The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.
In addition to its volunteer-matching website, St. Johns Volunteers! offers one-on-one volunteer-interest consultations. The Center also includes a classroom area for nonprofit meetings and training sessions.
“We are having a lot of fun using the term ‘matchmaker’ because we are truly matching local talent with local needs,” adds Saviak, “Our goal is to help every prospective volunteer find their ‘perfect match’.”
For more information on St. Johns Volunteers!, visit their website for more information.
This article is sponsored by Orthopaedic Associates of St. Augustine.
