901 Padre Drive
Salinas, CA 93901
Telephone: (831) 757-3206 / (800) 408-9191 • Fax: (831) 751-9840
E-mail: stephanie@yesillhelp.org
Web Site: www.yesillhelp.org
Executive Director: Stephanie Fraser

Branch Offices:

Seaside (contact via Administration)

Salinas Valley (Spanish interpretation available)
Contact Person: Connie Santistevan, Program Coordinator

Programs and Services:

• VIP - Volunteer Involvement Program
  Recruits individuals of all ages, family, group and corporate volunteers, to more than 450 nonprofit organizations, schools and public agencies in Monterey County. This service interviews, and matches the areas of interest, skills and time availability of volunteers with the needs of community. Program makes over 3,000 volunteer referrals annually.

• BoardLink
  A collaboration with the Community Foundation for Monterey County and the Salinas Valley and Monterey Peninisula Leadership Programs to recruit, train and refer qualified individuals to serve on boards of nonprofits. Program was be launched in Spring, 2002.

• Youth Service Program
  In collaboration with local public and private schools, young people between 12-18 and their families promote service learning and the spirit of volunteerism and community pride. The program provides information about local nonprofit organizations and offers assistance with individual and group placement in volunteer activities to meet academic requirements, personal growth, and work experience. The program is designed to engage youth and families in community activities, build leadership and teach the importance of volunteering. The program reaches over 6,000 young people annually!

• Monterey Bay Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
  In collaboration with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for people over the age of 55. The program provides travel reimbursement and supplemental accident and liability insurance and an annual volunteer recognition luncheon for over 400 active RSVP volunteers in the County.

• Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness
  Working as a coalition of nonprofit organizations and local, state and federal government, the Monterey County Disaster Interagency Group, coordinates countywide emergency preparedness and disaster response and recovery. During a declared disaster, The Volunteer Center staffs the Disaster Command Center to dispatch and manage volunteers during a disaster and the aftermath.

• Community Options
  In collaboration with the Monterey County Departments of Social Services, the CAL Works Program places Welfare recipients in community service jobs to build skills and earn work experience to gain permanent paid employment. In collaboration with Monterey County Probation Department, the Alternate Sentencing Program places court-mandated adults and juveniles in community service jobs as an alternative to fines and/or incarceration. These programs save taxpayers money by providing hundreds of hours of valuable service to the agencies. The participants build skills and work experience. Everyone benefits!

• Leadership
  For the past 30 years, The Volunteer Center has promoted the spirit of volunteerism by engaging people to give of their time and talent by helping local nonprofit and public agencies meet community needs. The Volunteer Center is 100% supported by the generosity of local citizens, businesses, foundations and the United Way of Monterey County. A 10-member volunteer Board of Directors governs the policies and services of The Volunteer Center. The Board is comprised of local community leaders with experience in nonprofit management, human resource management, accounting, legal, marketing, and business management fields.

For more information call 1-800-408-9191 or visit our website: www.yesillhelp.org.

Annual Special Event(s):

• Annual Community Volunteer Recognition
  Celebrating the spirit of volunteerism for over 30 years, The Volunteer Center annually presents the Community Service Awards, allowing agencies the opportunity to recognize volunteers for their accomplishments. Categories for nominations include: Adult, Youth, Senior, Corporate Volunteer, Corporate Employee, Agency Star and Unsung Hero (paid staff). Over 400 people attend this event.

• Annual Community Fundraising Event
  The Human Race is the largest collaborative fundraiser in Monterey County! The event helps over 100 community-based organizations by encouraging walkers and runners to raise funds for local organizations through pledged sponsorships. The latest race, the 23rd Annual Human Race, was presented on May 10, 2004. Watch our website for announcement of next year's race.

Other Information: Office hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Publication of weekly listing of volunteer opportunities in newspapers throughout the County.