The Volunteer Center's
2008 Excellence in Nonprofit Volunteer Management Awardees
Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY)
San Mateo County Awardee
Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) exists to reduce juvenile crime and incarceration rates through mentoring, leadership training and education about the justice system.
Volunteers are instrumental in this process: serving as classroom teachers, mentors and advocates for youth who are caught in the juvenile justice system. Thanks to the commitment of
dedicated volunteers, young people "in trouble" can gain confidence in themselves, experience non-violent conflict resolution and avoid becoming repeat offenders. At FLY, volunteers are
supported through training, public recognition and an annual volunteer appreciation event. Many FLY volunteers are former clients, and several staff members were once FLY volunteers.
120 volunteers work with over 3,000 youth in three core program areas - Law, a 12 week law course; Mentoring, a one-on-one partnership for clients battling drug or alcohol addiction;
and Leadership, a community service program for graduates of the other programs. As supportive and positive role models, volunteers play a crucial role in the success of FLY's programs,
providing direct service and producing real results. An amazing 89% of the clients in the Leadership program do not re-offend or enter the adult criminal justice system! FLY staff goes out
of their way to make sure volunteers have a positive experience, providing feedback and self-reflection as part of the volunteer experience. By helping these youth become better citizens,
FLY has earned the respect of many in the juvenile justice system, including judges, district attorneys and probation officers. The Volunteer Center is proud to honor Fresh Lifelines for Youth
(FLY) with the Excellence in Nonprofit Volunteer Management Award.
Shanti Project, Inc.
San Francisco County Awardee
Volunteers have been a key component of Shanti Project, Inc. since its inception in 1974. Simply put, if there were no volunteers, Shanti could not exist as the vital and
uniquely valuable San Francisco institution it has become. Shanti is a Sanskrit word meaning "tranquility" or "inner peace" and is the ultimate focus of Shanti's educational and direct service programs.
These programs work to ease the burdens and improve the well being of people in difficult life situations, primarily those living with life-threatening or chronic illness. Volunteers - the essence of
many of these programs - are provided numerous ways to engage with the clients of Shanti and to support Shanti's services. On a given day visitors will see their volunteers: provide one-on-one support
for clients through Shanti's Volunteer Care-giver program; help to sustain day-to-day operations through daily administrative support; connect with the community through outreach efforts; lead wellness workshops;
interact with clients in Shanti's drop-in center; and use their professional skills to provide massage therapy or hair cutting and styling services. Shanti's well-defined structure and comprehensive volunteer
program places great emphasis on volunteer retention and recognition. Shanti does this through a volunteer newsletter, monthly social events for volunteers, an annual Volunteer Gala, and by utilizing a Volunteer
Advisory Board to provide oversight for the volunteer program. Shanti employees and volunteers interact on a regular basis, with employees attending volunteer events and the Director of Volunteer Services providing
a monthly check-in with each of Shanti's 250 volunteers. Shanti Project, Inc. is unique in the lengths it goes to recognize and support their volunteers, and The Volunteer Center salutes them with our 2008 Excellence
in Nonprofit Volunteer Management Award.
