In recognition of National Volunteer Week 2012, we’re highlighting a few stories of volunteers who have committed to serving their community in Durham. These are just a few of many stories of folks who are loving their neighbors by giving their time to make an impact. Do you know another great story? Share it in the comments below or send it to us at care@durhamcares.org!  

Brianna was matched in January 2012 to Dress For Success, one of DurhamCares’ partners working to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive.  This is her story:

DurhamCares: Why did you want to find a place to volunteer?

Brianna: I think that it is really important to give back to your community.  I’m new to the area and I needed support to find the right opportunities so DurhamCares was helpful.

DurhamCares: What made you choose to volunteer with Dress For Success?

Brianna:  This opportunity really worked well for a group.  I joined a small group at my church and I wanted to encourage others to volunteer that were also part of my group.  Dress For Success allowed me to get others involved at the same time while making sure that I was still involved.

DurhamCares: How often do you volunteer and what kinds of activities do you do?

Brianna: It is once a month. We helped with the organization of the store and setting up and preparing for the next sale that they have. We might be helping out more with sorting clothing and accepting donations next time we go.

DurhamCares: What have you enjoyed most about your volunteer experience so far? 

Brianna: I have really enjoyed that it can be a group activity. It’s great because I can hang out with friends while serving and giving back at the same time. I like that we can bring as many people from my small group/church to be involved, too.  It is good to support organizations that support people in need. I think that if you’re blessed to have enough, it is really important to give to those who don’t. Luckily, we have organizations like Dress For Success that do a great job of supporting populations in need.

To find out more about Dress For Success, visit their website or check out what they plan to accomplish in Durham in 2012.  To find your own place to volunteer, contact one of our volunteer matching specialists. They can help you find the best fit for you to make an impact like Brianna.

Written by Hannah Carmen, Volunteer Match Intern 2012.

In recognition of National Volunteer Week 2012, we’re highlighting a few stories of volunteers who have committed to serving their community in Durham. These are just a few of many stories of folks who are loving their neighbors by giving their time to make an impact. Do you know another great story? Share it in the comments below or send it to us at care@durhamcares.org!  

Judith was matched in February 2011 to A Helping Hand, one of DurhamCares' partners providing companionship, transportation, and in-home services to senior adults in Durham. This is her story:

DurhamCares: Why did you want to find a place to volunteer?

Judith: I thought I should help out - if I have free time I should give it up to someone else. My church happened to have a list options for things you can do to volunteer around the area. I chose to contact DurhamCares and they recommended that I volunteer with A Helping Hand.

DurhamCares: What made you choose to volunteer for A Helping Hand?

Judith: A Helping Hand is more focused on helping older people. I grew up with my grandparents so I am used to interacting with and helping older people.  

DurhamCares: How often do you volunteer and what kinds of things do you do through the organization?

Judith: I volunteer every other week. When I go, I help a lady with everyday tasks to make it easier on her. She likes photography so we will take a walk and I will push her in a wheelchair and she will bring her camera to take pictures.

DurhamCares: What have you enjoyed most about volunteering with A Helping Hand?

Judith: I enjoy the fact that I can give a little bit of my time to somebody that needed help. She trusts me and allows me in her life - I like that I can be there for her because she told me she doesn’t trust a lot of people.

DurhamCares: Have you encountered anything unexpected so far with your experience?

Judith: I thought there would be challenges, but I have found it very easy for me to go and spend time with her. I do feel like I would be well prepared if I ever had to face any medical challenges because I work in healthcare. But I have really enjoyed everything so far. 

To find out more about A Helping Hand, visit their website or check out what they plan to accomplish in Durham in 2012.  To find your own place to volunteer, contact one of our volunteer matching specialists. They can help you find the best fit for you to make an impact like Judith.

Written by Hannah Carmen, Volunteer Match Intern 2012.

In recognition of National Volunteer Week 2012, we're highlighting a few stories of volunteers who have committed to serving their community in Durham.  These are just a few of many stories of folks who are loving their neighbors by giving their time to make an impact.  Do you know another great story?  Share it in the comments below or send it to us at care@durhamcares.org!  

Marcus was matched last summer to Housing For New Hope, one of DurhamCares' partners working to end homelessness in our city.  This is his story:

DurhamCares: Marcus, can you tell us why you wanted to find a place to volunteer?

Marcus: I wanted to give back to the community. Volunteering is an important part of my values and beliefs.

DurhamCares: What made you choose Housing For New Hope?

Marcus: I went on the DC website and filled out the questionnaire and things I was able to do and it was one of the four that I was matched up for. I thought it might be a cool opportunity and something I would be interested in.

DurhamCares: What do you do as a volunteer for Housing For New Hope?

Marcus: I serve as a volunteer coordinator, so I match resources from the community with the needs of the tenants who live in the apartment complex depending on their particular needs. We work with finding those resources in the community and putting them into action to help them build a stronger community.

DurhamCares: How often do you volunteer?

Marcus: We work a few hours a month depending what’s going on. We work more often during the holidays.

DurhamCares: What have you enjoyed most about your volunteer experience so far?

Marcus: I have enjoyed the personal relationships that are built. It's cool getting to know people - hearing their stories and being able to help them.  It seems like we are able to bring more of their community to them.

DurhamCares: Has anything surprised you or have you encountered anything unexpected?

Marcus: The most surprising thing is the wide range of people who we reach who are living in the apartment.  We work with people from 18-19 years old up to people in their 60s and 70s.  Everyone is going through different struggles. It has been cool for me to learn from people who are both a lot older and a lot younger than I am. 

To find out more about Housing For New Hope, visit their website or check out what they plan to accomplish in Durham in 2012.  To find your own place to volunteer, contact one of our volunteer matching specialists. They can help you find the best fit for you to make an impact like Marcus.

Written by Hannah Carmen, Volunteer Match Intern 2012.

We had the pleasure of meeting Denver Moore during his visit to Durham in 2009. He and Ron Hall co-wrote Same Kind of Different as Me, a book that shares the touching story of Hall's and Moore's intersecting life journeys. 

We were sad to hear of his passing, but are encouraged by thousands he touched with his story. Moore's memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 12 at McKinney Memorial Bible Church in Fort Worth, TX. To view the service, click here.

Below you'll find Moore's obituary and a brief video where Moore shared with us what it means to love your neighbor.

Denver Moore's Obituary

The gates of heaven swung open on Saturday, March 31, 2012, and Denver Moore went walkin' in! He had sung those words of his favorite old spiritual countless times, receiving standing ovations all across America. He dreamed of heaven and was ready to march in with the saints and be reunited with Miss Debbie, the woman who believed he would make a difference. He was 75 years old.

Though his lips were always flappin' like Bible pages, he would say, he never claimed to be a preacher, just a sinner saved by grace with a message of hope for those that didn't have any.

His story, well known by millions, is told in SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME, a word-of-mouth best-selling book that spent 3 1/2 years as a New York Times best-seller. His follow up book WHAT DIFFERENCE DO IT MAKE, tells the rest of his story.

Denver, formerly homeless, spent much of his life on the streets of Fort Worth , Texas , until Deborah Hall (Miss Debbie to him) dreamt of this poor man with wisdom that would change the city. And did he ever! A few years after her dream, Denver was honored as the Philanthropist of the Year for his ministry and fund-raising for the homeless in Fort Worth . Upon accepting that honor, he shared the story of his transformation that he first told on the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS. "God is in the recycling business," he said "What most folks in Fort Worth thought was trash on the streets, God turned into a treasure! " Amen to that.

In 2007, Barbara Bush selected SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME to be featured at her Celebration of Reading fund-raisers in Dallas and Washington DC . Denver was honored to meet the President and attend a private luncheon in the White House with Bush family members and four other best-selling authors. As he pulled away from the White House in a long blue limousine, he told his co-author, Ron Hall, "I done gone from livin' in the bushes to eatin' with the Bushes. God bless America ," he exclaimed, "This is a great country!"

Since 2005, Denver spoke at more than 400 fund-raising events, and countless radio and TV shows. He attained rock star status with his fans but the only introduction he ever wanted was, "Tell ‘em I'm a NOBODY that is tryin' to tell EVERYBODY about SOMEBODY that can save ANYBODY." And he did. That "Somebody" was Jesus, and Denver woke up in His arms on Saturday. His famous quote and the final words in his book are "We are all homeless workin' our way home". Welcome home friend; you were a good and faithful servant.

He is survived by two daughters, Tracy and Marva, and two sons, Thomas and Curtis. He leaves behind millions of folks forever changed by his testimony.

A celebration of his life and passing will be held on April 12, at 2 pm in Fort Worth , Texas , at McKinney Memorial Bible Church , 4805 Arborlawn Drive, Fort Worth , Texas 76109 . It is open to all who loved him and want to honor him.

Donations made to the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, 1331 East Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth , Texas 76102 will keep hope alive for the hopeless.

Several of our partners have events coming up, starting tomorrow, that you don't want to miss!

At DurhamCares, we're all about connecting you to opportunities to get involved with organizations doing great work in our city, both by giving our time and by giving money. Over the next two months, several of our partners have big events coming up - check them out below. Then find a friend and get involved!

Urban Ministries Durham Empty Bowls

Thursday, March 8 from 5:30-8pm

Durham Armory, 212 Foster Street, Durham, NC

Join Urban Ministries for an evening of soup provided by local restaurants such as Watt's Grocery, Guglhupf, Toast, Revolution, Whole Foods Durham and more. Event tickets are $15 for soup only and $30 for soup and a handcrafted bowl made by local artists. Fullsteam Brewery will host the afterparty.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

TROSA Yard Sale

Thursday, March 8 - Saturday, March 10 from 7am-6pm

3500 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC

Here's your chance to stock up on household items and furniture, clothing for the whole family and more. Skip the Saturday morning yard sale route and get everything in one place while supporting TROSA's work. New items are put out daily!

For more information, click here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters 100 Men in 100 Days Kickoff Event

Sunday, March 11 from 12:30-3:30pm

Tyler's Restaurant and Taproom, 324 Blackwell Street, Durham

Big Brothers Big Sisters has more than 100 boys in Durham that are on the waitlist for a Big Brother. They are kicking off a campaign to find 100 Big Brothers for the boys on the waitlist, and they're starting by hosting a kickoff party at Tyler's Taproom. Join the BBBST team for an afternoon of appetizers and ACC basketball and learn about how you can get involved in impacting a child's life.

In addition to the kickoff party, BBBST is hosting a Chic-fil-a night every Monday until June 4th for people interested in becoming a BBBST volunteer. They're offering a free sandwich to everyone who completes an application. For more information, check out this flyer.

For more information about the campaign, click here.

Communities in Schools Equinoxalizer 4-Miler

Saturday, March 17 at 8am

Downtown Durham

Sign up to run in the Equinoxalizer 4-Miler and raise money to benefit the dropout prevention work of Communities in Schools of Durham. This event is for runners of all abilities with free food, prizes, live music and much more. This is an event for the entire family!

For more information and to register or volunteer, click here.

The Great Human Race

Saturday, March 24 at 8:30am

Northgate Mall

The Great Human Race is is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Durham and supports more than 100 nonprofits, schools and organizations. This race gives each individual nonprofit an opportunity to raise money for their specific organizations. This year, many of DurhamCares' nonprofit partners are participating, including Achievement Academy, Crayons2Calculators, Durham Economic Resource Center, Durham Literacy Center, Habitat and World Relief Durham.

Register to walk in support of your favorite nonprofit here.

BounceBack Kids Heels for Healing 5K

Saturday, March 31 at 9am

UNC-Chapel Hill

Bring your family out to the Heels for Healing 5K and 1/2 mile fun run to support BounceBack Kids, hosted by The UNC Association of Nursing Students.

Learn more and register for the race here.

Volunteer at the Tar Heel 10-Miler

Saturday, April 21 at 7:30am

Kenan Stadium, UNC-Chapel Hill

BounceBack Kids is one of the volunteer sponsor organizations for the Wells Fargo Tar Heel 10-Miler and is looking for volunteers to help on race day. Volunteer on behalf of BounceBack Kids to help them raise money!

Sign up to volunteer here. Deadline is March 15.

Ronald McDonald House Sport-a-Shirt, Share-a-Night

Sport-a-Shirt, Share-a-Night is a combined effort between all five Ronald McDonald Houses in NC and is a way to help share the cost of a one-night stay for a family at their local RMH. T-shirts are $10 and orders are due by April 27th.

Click here for more information and to see what the shirt looks like!

At least twice a week I answer the question, "Where can I serve with my children?" Most of the time that question is coming from a desire parents have for their children to understand the value and importance of service, and at DurhamCares, we love that. With that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to offer both some opportunities for family service as well as some context for thinking about the impact of your service as a family.

First and foremost, it's important to make sure we're teaching our kids what serving our neighbors really means - let's set an example of crossing boundaries and connecting relationally. Let's lead them to practice service that's consistent, committed and on-going, so that they'll grow up to give back in ways that are consistent, committed, and on-going. Let's show them that loving your neighbor means knowing your neighbor, which doesn't happen once every three months for two hours.

It's going to be harder than showing up on project day to paint a wall or sort cloths, no doubt about it. (And to be fair, painting and sorting are often big needs, but they are needs best addressed in the context of holistic involvement.) If you have young children, an appropriate on-going opportunity may be even more difficult to find. But it can be done!

I know parents that regularly volunteer their time with a local non-profit, and then find appropriate opportunities like community events to bring their children along. There are also parents who've set up babysitting exchanges with other parents who want to volunteer so they can each have time to donate their time & skill. The kids may not have been physically performing a task, but they certainly understand how important serving is through their parents' example!

It is important to teach our kids to serve - and it's important enough to get it right. If it sounds overwhelming, we'd be happy to help you brainstorm what that might look like for your family. You can also check out these ideas that you and your family could get involved with right now:

• Serve as a "resettlement team" with organizations like Church World Service or World Relief that work to re-settle refugee families arriving in Durham. If you have children, you're perfect for this opportunity - these families need help learning to live in the United States, including things like setting up appointments for their kids, and their children may need other kids who help them learn the ropes.
• Organize a fun activity like a skit, musical performance, or magic show at places like the Caring House or Croasdaile Retirement Village. Organizations like these work hard to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for their residents, and it's a great opportunity to serve the folks there.
• Cook & serve meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House here in Durham, who are dealing with treatments for their children at Duke Hospital. Depending on the age of your kids, this is a great opportunity to provide peace of mind for families under stress.
• Join a support team with Project Compassion, an organization specifically aimed at creating community around people with serious illness and their families. You and your kids could be part of a team that helps participate in their community and serve their caregivers.
• Take your kids to "Kid's Day" at the Food Bank to help them fight hunger locally. The Food Bank in Durham has regular days with projects designed specifically for kids, which may be perfect for children too young for some of the other opportunities.

What are ways that you and your family are currently serving? How have you creatively incorporated serving into your family? Share your story in the comments below.

This time of year is full of anticipation - anticipation of celebration, of time with family and friends, of gifts and of renewed hope. However, if you are like me, you also feel the tension of consumerism, of an overly full schedule and of relationships that don't always live up to expectations. And I need an antidote to the stress.

That's when I again reflect on what it means to Love Your Neighbor. I'm utterly convinced that it is more fun, energizing, exciting, and yes, blessed to give than it is to receive.

I hope that you too are convinced of this. It is in that spirit and understanding I would ask that you consider making a year-end gift to the DurhamCares Success Fund. 100% of money given through this platform will go to 29 local non-profits. DurhamCares does not keep any of the money. It all goes back to the local non-profits who are daily living out the call to Love Your Neighbor and who are courageous enough to publish their goals and results.

The Success Fund is a tool to encourage and reward local organizations that want to be accountable to their own mission and vision. The Success Fund allows more kids to get mentors, more refugees to find safety, more homeless to find shelter and more sick and hurting to find relief - and that's just the beginning. The Success Fund is a tool that allows you as a donor to reinforce the success of a wide range but select group of local non-profits.

It's easy to make a gift. You can give online or via mail with a check made out to DurhamCares and mailed to 801 Gilbert Street, Suite 213, Durham, NC 27701. Would you take a few minutes to make a gift that will encourage our neighbors in Durham who are daily laboring to care for those in need?

May you experience this joy with may your New Year be filled with hope!

Do you want to be inspired by creative models for social impact, hone your leadership skills and use your talents for the good of the community? Apply today for 2012 internship opportunities with DurhamCares, Ministry Spotlight, Global Generosity Movement and Christian Technology Initiative. These positions offer the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience in a results-focused, fun and team-based environment!

DurhamCares offers internships at our location on 801 Gilbert Street near downtown Durham, NC. Interns are unpaid, but we would be willing to work with you to arrange course credit. Our intern program is open to college students, recent graduates and members of the community. Intern candidates must be available for a minimum of 10 hours per week during daytime business hours.

DurhamCares is looking for the following interns for the Spring 2012 semester:

• Marketing and Communications Intern
• Online Curator
• Reporter
• Verticals Analyst
• Video Storyteller
• Volunteer Match Specialist

To be considered for an internship, you must complete this online application form and submit your resume and cover letter to internship@durhamcares.org by December 31, 2011.

Thank you for your interest!

VERTICALS ANALYST

As a Verticals Analyst, you will work the project manager to understand the scope of particular issues facing Durham, including mapping available assets and service providers working on the issue. You'll research answers to key questions about the size of the issue, underlying factors and trends, as well as causes and correlations. Then you'll help the project team synthesize the research with the perspective of local experts in a way that motivates people to strategic action.

Successful applicants will demonstrate attention to detail and excellent research skills, as well as the desire to think strategically about how best to understand issues of poverty, education, homelessness, etc. in a local context. This position requires someone who is passionate about helping others understand and respond to issues in their community.

VIDEO STORYTELLER

In this position, you will have the opportunity to produce short videos telling the story of DurhamCares' non-profit partners, the families and individuals they serve, and the volunteers who are involved in loving their neighbors. You'll be assigned to an event or organization and will be responsible for scheduling interviews/filming sessions, editing the footage and producing a short completed video to be distributed through our YouTube channel and social media outlets and shared with partner organizations. The stories told through the videos will play a crucial part in DurhamCares' larger effort to engage those not yet involved in the community.

Successful applicants will have the ability to produce high-quality videos from start to finish, including both shooting and editing footage. Applicants must have their own transportation, but do not need to own their own camera or editing software (video camera and iMac with Final Cut software available for use in DurhamCares office). Applicants must be able to provide portfolio of previous work!

VOLUNTEER MATCH SPECIALIST

As a Volunteer Matching Specialist intern you'll work with the matching team at DurhamCares to consult with individuals looking to serve their community, and connect them to opportunities that match their skills and interests. You will be able to gain an in-depth understanding of the organizations and programs working in the non-profit sector in Durham, and think creatively about how to position volunteer candidates to serve - the backbone of what we do here at DurhamCares!

Applicants must be comfortable, friendly, and engaging both over the phone and email, and must be able to clearly communicate expectations to volunteers and keep scheduled appointments. Interview with the Match Program Manager is required.

ONLINE CURATOR

This position will allow you the opportunity to both manage content for an existing nascent website. As the curator for The Office List (a site highlighting one Christian ministry video per day), you will watch, catalog and prioritize positing the existing videos in the database, as well as source new videos to feature. You'll be responsible for regularly scheduling posts within the WordPress platform and promoting daily posts through social media outlets and managing comments/responses. Additional responsibilities include researching additional distribution channels and networking with relevant organizations on Twitter/Facebook.

Successful applicants must have an interest in Christian ministry both in the US and internationally and a love for watching videos. Applicants must be familiar with the WordPress platform and use of social media and should be able to work in a self-directed manner.

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS INTERN

As the Marketing and Communication Intern for the Global Generosity Movement, you will help to craft and execute the movement's social-media marketing plan. With a huge emphasis on social media and SEO, you will help to connect and support organizations and individuals focused on the biblical message of generosity. In addition, you will be responsible for content distribution and messaging as well as building a following by posting relevant content.

Successful applicants will have the ability to manage multiple media channels and be comfortable interacting with customers and partner organizations around Christian topics. This position requires someone with excellent communication skills who is comfortable with WordPress CMS. Junior, senior or graduate Journalism majors preferred.

REPORTER

As a reporter for the Global Generosity Movement, you will help to tell the stories of individuals and organizations exemplifying biblical generosity around the world. You will work to design and produce a series of news stories for print, web and podcast that align with the organization's strategy.

Successful applicants will have excellent communication skills, as well as experience with AP style and in reporting stories for publication. This position requires someone who is comfortable communicating Christian messaging and thrives in a start-up environment. Junior, senior or graduate Journalism majors preferred.

With the holiday season right around the corner, you may be looking for a new way you can love your neighbor in Durham this time of year. Here are a couple of helpful suggestions to get you started in the right direction. Of course, the best way for you to love your neighbor is to start during the holiday season and continue to be engaged all year long. Our volunteer matching team would be happy to talk with you about how you can use the holiday season as an opportunity to get involved. Let us know how we can help you!

Hold A Winter Coat & Blanket Drive For Refugees
Refugees arrive in the US with what they can carry...literally. In most cases, that means they don't have the coats or blankets they need for the cold weather. Organizations like World Relief and Church World Service who help these new families settle in rely on donated items to supplement what the family brings with them. Get your kids or your friends together to collect coats, blankets, comforters, socks, hats, scarves, gloves or space heaters to help these families stay warm this winter.

Get Involved

Throw A Holiday Party or Holiday Themed Activity Night at the Caring House
The Caring House is a comfortable and affordable place for adult cancer patients to stay while receiving treatment at Duke. Get your family & friends together to provide a fun social activity for these folks who are far from their own homes during the holidays. This could be anything from cooking a nice meal or deserts to holding a game or craft night to providing a little holiday music!

Get Involved

Wrap Christmas Gifts for Housing For New Hope
This year on December 8th from 10am-6pm, Housing For New Hope will be wrapping presents at the Barnes & Noble at Southpoint Mall to raise money for the services they provide to the homeless in Durham. Cheerful volunteers are needed to wrap gifts with a little holiday cheer: all the tips received benefit the folks Housing For New Hope serves!

Get Involved

Adopt A Family For Christmas
Both the Genesis Home and the Department of Social Services will help you partner with local families who are homeless or economically disadvantaged, or even elderly or disabled neighbors in Durham to share your Christmas by providing gifts off of a wish list. After shopping for gifts for the family you're matched to, you have the option of delivering the gift directly to Genesis Home or the family, or back to DSS to deliver.

*All Genesis Home families have been adopted but DSS still has families waiting for adoption!

Get Involved

Staff the "Share Our Christmas" Helpline
After you sign up to sponsor a family, consider helping DSS take calls from other volunteers who want to love their neighbors - they need volunteers to help answer phones!

Get Involved

Purchase your Holiday Cards through Urban Ministries' Holiday Honor Card Program
Are you looking for your family's Christmas card for the season? Why not purchase Urban Ministries Holiday Honor Cards, available for a minimum donation of $5 each. Individuals who purchase Honor Cards send them to friends and family, indicating that they have been honored by a donation to a local outreach agency.

Get Involved

Staff the Urban Ministries Angel Tree Drop-Off Table

Urban Ministries needs volunteers from November 25 through December 18th for 2-hour shifts at Northgate Mall to accept Angel Tree present donations from shoppers. The Angel Tree is open for 10 hours each day, and daytime shifts are especially needed.

Get Involved

OCTOBER 7 AT 7PM

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

3741 GARRETT ROAD, DURHAM

Join your neighbors in Durham for a concert with Grammy nominated artist Paul Colman to support great non-profits in Durham!

This will be a fun time with a great musician and thoughtful music. But more than that it's an opportunity for you and your friends and neighbors to come out to support the GREAT work that is being done in our city to impact lives of at-risk youth, homelessness, addiction, job training and creation, health care, elder care and many other areas!

Through the evening you will have the opportunity to give to the Success Fund where 100% of donations go directly back out into the community to support the great work of courageous non-profits who publish outcome related goals and their results.

So, mark your calendars, grab your friends and meet us for a fun night of great music, inspiration and a chance to LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!

Learn more about Paul at www.paulcolman.com, and for those of you who remember his days as the guitarist for the Newsboys or who enjoy the Paul Colman trio then tell your friends that he's in town on October 7!