Nonprofits like Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) cannot do what we do without volunteers.
In 2023, volunteers invested 28,938 hours in Fresno schools and neighborhoods through ENP’s School Support and Neighborhood Development programs. These hours are equal to $903,060.53 in value. That’s almost $1,000,000 of volunteer hours poured into the city of Fresno!
“If you look around your city and see things you want to change, but you don’t know how, start by volunteering with a nonprofit,” says Andrew Feil, ENP’s Executive Director. “Your time is worth more than you can imagine.”
1,017 volunteers
28,938 hours given
$903,060.53 in value
2023 Every Neighborhood Partnership Volunteer Data
Continue reading to learn what impact volunteers have on Fresno schools, neighborhoods, and future generations. ↓
Volunteer Impact on Schools
Since she was a little girl, Debra Brensinger loved reading. When Debra heard about ENP’s Literacy Mentoring program, she knew she wanted to serve as a mentor. Sharing her passion for reading by teaching elementary students literacy skills seemed like the perfect way to invest in her neighborhood.
Debra then set up a meeting with the leaders of her church, Butler Church, and asked if they wanted to get involved in supporting Ayer Elementary School as an entire church. With the support of her pastor, they rallied 17 Butler Church volunteers to serve as literacy mentors.
Butler Church has now partnered with Ayer Elementary in Southeast Fresno for over six years.
“[The literacy mentors from Butler Church] are the most wonderful people who give their time freely to serve our students,” says Jennifer Ward, a first grade teacher at Ayer Elementary School. “Their impact is great.”
Literacy Rates
In September 2021, first grade students at Ayer elementary held an average knowledge of 22 high frequency words. By the end of the school year, Ayer first graders knew an average of 144 high frequency words!
“Ayer Elementary School had one of the highest scores [in high frequency words] of all of our school sites,” says Jenessa Cheema, ENP’s School Support Director. “I really believe this is because of the relationships that have been built.”
Food Insecurity
Volunteers are supporting local schools in other creative, behind-the-scenes ways. While children can eat school lunches throughout the week, some kids in our city may not have access to nutritious food on the weekends.
To help address this need, ENP incorporates a snack or lunch in every one of our Saturday Sports programs. In 2023, the Fresno Mission came alongside ENP to pack and provide the meals for every kid attending Saturday Sports. From January through May 2023, volunteers with the Fresno Mission packed 350-400 meals every Friday evening! An ENP volunteer would then pick up the meals on Saturday morning and distribute them to the 14 Saturday Sports school sites.
How could you, your friends, co-workers, church small group, or family come support a school in your neighborhood through your time?
Click HERE to learn more about volunteering with a local school.
Volunteer Impact on Neighborhoods
“This is where I live. This is where my legacy is. This is where my children’s legacy is. It’s gonna be here when we’re not. So what footprints are we gonna leave?
Sharon, Our Voice Project member
For decades, Tupman Park served as a home to a grassy field, three picnic tables, and a barbecue grill.
“Unhoused people were using the park because there was nothing to do for families,” said Alice Green, the City of Fresno’s Community Revitalization Specialist.
Families in the area began having discussions with city officials about getting graffiti removed and park equipment installed.
Before playground equipment was installed, neighbors decided to begin making Tupman Park a space where families gathered. They rallied to organize community events in the park on a regular basis throughout 2018 and 2019. Fence-painting, a March for Peace, Lego Party, Prayer in the Park, fitness classes, and other community events drew neighbors together like never before! Tupman Park grew as a bright light in the Southwest Fresno neighborhood.
Read the full Tupman Park story HERE.
Volunteer Impact on Future Generations
“The most valuable thing you can offer someone is your time,” says Marcel Woodruff.
Over 13 years ago, Marcel felt a call to invest in the young people of West Fresno. He says he “didn’t have much to offer,” but he knew he could volunteer for one hour once a month on a Saturday morning. On one of those Saturday mornings, Marcel met a boy named Anthony Fisher.
Anthony was about 11 years old when his aunt started driving him and his little brother to their local elementary school to play basketball with Marcel at Saturday Sports. From the moment Anthony met Marcel, he knew he was a good guy.
“When you play basketball with someone, you [quickly learn] what their vibes are like,” says Anthony. “I knew from a young age Marcel… wanted to see me succeed. He saw someone who had potential to be something more.”
“Throughout our lives through different ages, 13, 15, 17…he stayed connected. Whenever I would go through traumatic events in my life, this dude would always find a way to contact me and link up. We’d meet up at a Wendy’s or something and just talk about a lot of stuff.”
For Anthony, that one hour of playing basketball with Marcel led to a 12-year friendship and a deep-rooted belief that he always had someone in his corner.
Click HERE to read Anthony and Marcel’s full story.
Impact on YOU
It is evident volunteering can transform schools, neighborhoods, and future generations. But the transformation doesn’t stop there. Giving one’s time to others can have a profound impact on the life of the volunteer.
In fact, data shows volunteering is connected to:
- Health benefits
- Improved psychological and emotional well-being
- Increased social connections
- Reduced levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression
- Decreased cortisol levels correlated to stress
- Lower risk of cognitive impairment among adults 60 and older
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25) and “‘it is more blessed to give than receive,’” (Acts 20:35). A life committed to looking outward is not easy. Investing in your neighborhood requires sacrifice. Yet those who live this kind of generous life seem to carry a refreshed, joyful purpose that money and prestige just can’t seem to acquire on their own.
Why not just give it a try?
“Ask yourself, what do I value? What improvement do I want to see in our community?” says Fresno resident, Mary Avigliano. “Find out what nonprofits are doing that work and then… just start giving.”
“Your time is worth more than you can imagine.”
~Andrew Feil, ENP Executive Director
Leave a Reply