The Koinonia Foundation, Inc.
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Koinonia serves an amazing number of people in the Springfield/Alexandria region of Northern Virginia. It has a very small staff and a large number of volunteers to provide financial and clothing. It uses its resources very efficiently and effectively, never judging and providing efficient care with what resources it has.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
The gratitude that shines in the eyes of persons receiving food, clothing, or other assistance from Koinonia constantly underlines the value and necessity of Koinonia to our community. Koinonia serves the Franconia neighborhood of Fairfax County just outside Alexandria, Virginia. Many families in our neighborhood struggle day by day to meet their needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Middle class families, small businesses, and church congregations that comprise the neighborhood feel for them and routinely channel generous donations of food, clothing, and other gifts through Koinonia, which serves as the intersection between need and neighborly support. Scores of dedicated residents regularly volunteer their service to ensure that needs are met. Volunteers love what they do and are well led by an excellent executive director, assisted by an effective staff of a social worker and office manager. In my volunteer work with Koinonia, I particularly enjoy working with these many big-hearted persons all of whom are motivated by caring and concern. I admire them and am proud of them.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
The Koinonia Foundation provides assistance and support programs for families in need in our local community in Fairfax County, Virginia. Koinonia reaches an amazing number of people in our community with such a small budget. The small staff and huge team of volunteers provide services with such caring and compassion, never passing judgment, and doing the best with everything they have. I am happy to volunteer for and donate to this organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
hearing the thanks expressed first-hand by the clients who access services from the Foundation. For instance, they've just picked up food from the pantry to feed their children; or they've just received a holiday food basket full of extras they'd never be able to splurge for to make a holiday celebration festive, special and meaningful.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
increase their budget, so they can expand their services; and increase support for their volunteer base so they can maximize volunteer engagement.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
More sense of community with the other volunteers, since the volunteer base is so big. They've just started doing this with a monthly volunteer newsletter, which I expect and hope will continue.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I realized how many people here in my community need assistance.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
We had the joyful experience of working with Koinonia to present a free soccer camp for underprivileged children this summer. They helped us reach a number of children on our neighborhood. While participating in this specialized effort we also saw the wonderful everyday impact this organization has on the poor in our community. Our church routinely supports them through donations of goods which brings the wonderful experience of sharing to our congregation.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Bringing a joyful experience to underprivileged children in our community.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
NA
I am so impressed with how much Koinonia is able to do with their limited space-- they are able to help so many individuals and families in need because they have such an amazing group of volunteers who bring so much love and care to the job. For example, I think we gave out some 120 backpacks for students starting school-- each student got a new set of clothes, and I know the volunteers had fun picking out the perfect outfits and backpacks for each kid! All in all, I have had so much fun volunteering with Koinonia!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Although I'm a volunteer and not a client, I have certainly been touched by what Koinonia does-- working there has taught me a lot about what just a little help can do.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Somehow magically give them more space so they could hold on to even more clothing and take in even more food.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
More space so they can hold on to out-of-season items!
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I've learned a lot about what I'd call "triage"-- when you're trying to pick the best items to give people, you have to be choosy. It's the best way to give the clients a great selection to choose from. It was hard at first, but it's helped me fight the part of me that is such a packrat at home! I've also met some amazing people =).
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Great-- everyone is so helpful, fun and nice. They put so much thought into what they do and are able to help so many people.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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