My Nonprofit Reviews
sherril
Review for New Community Counseling And Ministries, Naperville, IL, USA
When I met Christine, I found a woman who is passionate about helping the less fortunate in many respects but who also had a determination to help those who "fall through the cracks". Many people have temporary needs and don't meet the poverty levels required by local state-driven agencies. Christine found a way to find housing, funding and FRESH FOOD for those in need. It's a pleasure to volunteer for a small grass roots organization that's christian-based and not afraid to show it. Seeing the humbled familes come to receive love and donations so they can carry on their lives in this horrific economy. Christine makes opportunities available for volunteers in all aspects, making sure that each volunteer gets to focus on areas in which they are skilled, making best use of the resources. As a result, she has been able to provide a website for people to use to check on food distribution details as well as a place to offer donations (with capabilities of printing receipts at the time the donation is made online). Her passion encompasses a vast area of needs and as a result, has allowed many people who NEED the services and those who are willing to volunteer, follow in her footsteps because they are also passionate about her dreams to serve. Volunteers are not always clients, but clients are always volunteers. This is key in making a succesful organization and each client graciously offers to give back time after time. Fresh Food donations several times a week from Whole Foods and Panera Bread help families eat healthy and allows the ministry to target even those with dietary restrictions. My recommendation is that everyone give what they can to this organization so it may continue to grow and continue to help families in crisis, temporary or otherwise. Christine has a gift of giving and hopefully companies will sponsor The Food Thing Network and New Community Ministries on a regular basis. be blessed~
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I became disabled, unable to work, and due to the ecomony and my husband's lack of work in the contruction industry, I was lead to New Community Ministries as a client. It started out where I would show up at a distribution site early to help distribute and go home with my box of fresh food. The people I met and the combined passions kept me on the scene as a volunteer in as many ways as possible as I'm so fond of serving food to those in need.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have the website contain a login and password set up for volunteers to do online scheduling as well as housing relevant documentation to support the rules, conduct and cleanliness expectations so each volunteer may read. Ideally, the documents would contain an 'accept' agreement for each volunteer to sign.
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?
access to an online schedule so volunteers knew who the leaders were and contact information for all the volunteers.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
The people I met from all walks of life was more fulfilling that receiving food or services. Sharing stories with each other and being able to support one another during crisis is amazing.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Volunteering always makes me feel special. Committing to this organization allowed me to become accountable by being able to utilize skills I already had to help the organization in may ways. It's very satisfying.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
