153 Stony Circle, Suite 100
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Telephone: (707) 573-3399 • Fax: (707) 573-3380
E-mail: vcsc@volunteernow.org
Web Site: www.volunteernow.org
Executive Director: Wes Winter

Branch Office: None

Programs and Services:

• Volunteer Referral Services (VRS)
  VRS works to strengthen use of volunteers and places volunteers, up to age 55, with agencies needing their services. Our core program includes the Literacy Connection, a mentoring support program and Disaster Preparedness.
  Contact Person: Hazel Whiteoak, (707) 573-3357 or hwhiteoak@volunteernow.org

• Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
  RSVP provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for people over 55, utilizing their skills and experience to help community needs. The program provides travel reimbursement, supplemental accident and liability insurance, plus other benefits for seniors.
  Contact Person: : Laurie Parrish, (707) 573-3366 or lparrish@volunteernow.org

• The Resource Center for Nonprofits (RCNP)
  The Resource Center provides training and professional development for board members, staff and volunteers of nonprofit organizations. Additional services include information and referral, a library, meeting rooms for rent, computers and on-line access for funding and information searches.
  Contact Person: Jean Bertelsen, (707) 573-3399 or jbertelsen@volunteernow.org

• Human Services Information and Referral Services (I & R)
  I & R is a program that links people in need with services in the community that can assist them. I & R is volunteer driven, and funded by a contract with Sonoma County Human Services Department and a grant from United Way.
  Contact Person: Toni Fitzpatrick, (707) 565-2335 or tfitzpatrick@schsd.org

• Court Referral Program
  The Court Referral Program provides a community service-sentencing alternative to the courts for adults and juveniles.
  Contact person: Myra Gaiser, (707) 573-3360 or mgaiser@volunteernow.org

• Volunteer Wheels
  This program uses volunteers as a primary source to provide transportation for elderly and disabled people for essential services.
  Contact Person: Katherine Taylor, (707) 573-3375 or ktaylor@volunteernow.org

• Youth Service/Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC)
  This program works with schools to promote youth volunteerism and to incorporate community service learning activities into the academic curriculum. It also builds life and career skills for young people through expanding meaningful volunteer opportunities in local agencies. We train agencies and local educators to develop projects that are challenging, fun and educational, fostering a lifetime of ethic service.
  Contact Person: Holly White Wolfe, (707) 573-3355 or hwhite@volunteernow.org

Annual Special Events:

Contact Person for Special Events: Andrea Rodriguez, (707) 573-3399 or arodriguez@volunteernow.org

• Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
  Volunteer Recognition Luncheon has been celebrating outstanding volunteer accomplishments and dedication since 1973. Each year, nonprofit agencies nominate volunteers from their ranks whose accomplishments have changed the face of our community. Ten individual awards are presented and over 150 nominees receive special recognition before the 350+ luncheon guests from the nonprofit and private sectors. As exhilarating as it must be from the deserving award recipients, it is equally rewarding to acknowledge the boundless generosity, energy and spirit that nurture and sustain Sonoma County.

• Human Race
  Human Race is the largest collaborative fundraising event in Sonoma County and the largest Human Race in the nation! The first Human Race, held in 1982, involved 400 walkers and runners who raised $1,800. In 2003, over 8,000 walkers, runners and rollers joined forces to raise $1,000,000 for more than 450 nonprofits. The 50,000 people who contributed $5, $10 or $100 to their favorite nonprofit are the secret to our Human Race.

• Giving Tree Project
  Giving Tree Project, which began in 1990 with one tree and 600 gift wishes on hearts, has led to a huge program that includes 80 business sponsors, 125 social service agencies and 17,000 gifts. Each year the spirit of giving is demonstrated by the care that goes into each gift. The response of gratitude from recipients for the amazing generosity within our community often leads to a desire to return the kindness and reach out to the next person.

• Sweetheart Ball
  Sweetheart Ball is the finest–and most fun–formal dinner dance. Every February, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds are magically transformed into a fantasyland for one night filled with food, frolic and auctions.

• Hands Across the County
  Began in 1990 as a vision of community mobilization – a special morning once a year when residents can work together to clean up our local environment and make needed improvements at schools and nonprofit agencies. In 1990, 800 volunteers gardened, painted, repaired library books, cleaned, and developed new friendships. In 2003, 1,800 volunteers spruced up 100 project sites, helping to make Sonoma County the spectacular place it is.

• Martin Luther King Day of Service
  Another national day of service, we work in collaboration with local diversity groups, businesses and faith based organizations to bring young people together across different cultures and lifestyles, to promote teen service and intergenerational understanding.

• National Youth Service Day
  A day to recognize the value of youth contribution to our communities. This year marks the 6th annual Youth Service Day, which is a teen coordinated event. Over 1 million volunteers participated last year throughout the nation.

Other Information: None