327 College Street, Suite 100
Woodland, CA 95695
Telephone: (530) 661-6636 • Fax: (530) 669-3295
E-mail: volunteers@yoloconnections.org
Web Site: www.yoloconnections.org
Executive Director: Mary Jo Bryan

Branch Office:

3012 Beacon Street
W. Sacramento, CA 95691

Programs and Services:

• Volunteer Recruitment and Referral
  Recruit and screen volunteers for member agencies. Refer volunteers to various community service projects and local nonprofit organizations, for on-going and episodic volunteer opportunities.
  Contact Person: Jasmine Smith, (530) 661-6636

• Mentor Recruitment and Training
  Serve as Host Site for 2 AmeriCorps Mentoring Ambassadors. Assist with recruitment and training of potential mentors throughout Yolo County.
  Contact Person: Tania Garcia-Cadena, (530) 661-6636

• Community Service Grant Program
  Coordinate, supervise and track expelled students assigned to complete community service. Assist with appropriate volunteer placements and work with Yolo County Office of Education to ensure that all aspects of CSGP grant are met.
  Contact Person: Tania Garcia-Cadena, (530) 661-6636

• 21st Century Community Learning Centers
  Recruit and train volunteers to assist students identified as at risk of failing, that are participating in enrichment programs in various Woodland elementary schools.
  Contact Person: Tania Garcia-Cadena, (530)661-6636

• AmeriCorps
  Serve as the lead agency for 18 AmeriCorps members serving in the Child Abuse Prevention field. Coordinate host sites and oversee all aspects of member development.
  Contact Person: Michelle Ellis-Hutchings, (530)669-3285

Annual Special Events:

• Human Race
  The Human Race is a 3K/5K Fun/Run/Walk fundraiser for community organizations, nonprofits, and education programs. Approximately 40 groups participate each year, raising money that goes directly into programs serving the community needs of Yolo County.

• Angel Tree Project
  The Angel Tree Project is a holiday gift-giving program. Each year more than 400 children or senior citizens are referred to the Angel Tree. Referrals come from a wide variety of programs (Nursing homes, HeadStart, mentoring agencies, schools, etc) and “Angels” in the community fill their holiday wishes.

• Make A Difference Day
  The Volunteer Connections annual Make a Difference Day Project is a coat and sock collection and distribution. Each year more that 400 gently used, or new, coats and hundreds of socks have been collected and dispersed throughout the community. Partnering with local businesses has made this a very success event and it is our intention to build on this success. For MDD 2004 we will be adding a “Diaper Drop” as well.

• Volunteer/Mentor Recognition
  The Volunteer/ Mentor Recognition is held each year in April. This exciting event is coordinated by the Volunteer Connection and recognizes volunteers from a variety of organizations.

• The High Five Award
  The High Five Award was created to recognize youth in the community that may otherwise go unrecognized. This award is different because it’s not a competition for the “best of the best”. All youth meeting the eligibility requirements receive the award. Categories to be recognized are: Heroic Resilience, Community Service, and Strength of Character. The High Five Awards are given out in May.

• Fiesta Del Sol
  Fiesta Del Sol is Hands Together’s annual “fun”draiser. (The Volunteer Connection is a program of Hands Together, Inc.). The event features an authentic Mexican Dinner and dancing to a local band, along with an exciting raffle. Fiesta Del Sol is held in August.

Other Information: None