My Nonprofit Reviews
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Review for Grove Christian Outreach Center, Williamsburg, VA, USA
When I volunteered at a back to school event, I was surprised at the number of young children that are at risk & in need in just this small community. Grove Christian Outreach Center offered these children, families & friends a free event with games, food, fun & laughter. GCOC also supplied all attending free school supplies & basic toiletries. Local businesses participated by donating items & a few companies set up booths for games or to handout goodies. I was overwhelmed with all the hard work it took to implement this annual event and realized this effort of tending to the needs of this community & others is a daily process.
A weekly bread day, clothes closet, transportation, tutoring/ teaching, finding housing & home furnishings & other home goods are some of the ongoing functions of this Center. These are only a few of the tangible things; the nurturing, love, prayers, comfort & hope offered by the staff & volunteers is the really the mainstay. I truly believe GCOC is the heart, soul & spirit of this community.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I live in an area that caters to tourism; to promote visitors to enjoy our community, a sense of good living & prosperity is promoted. I have live here many years & was not aware of the Grove community until I became acquainted with a staff member. She recruited me to volunteer for this event & I was astonished to see "the other side" of town! Yes, I heard or read news reports of families with no home or food & clothing, but felt it was some where else. Now I want to do more.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Involve more social clubs to adopt a project & make GCOC the "in" place to volunteer. Community awareness is rising, more news articles & staff does a lot of public speaking, but still lots of people know of GCOC, but not really all they do.
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?
Have better, easier to access storage space for craft supplies & pop up tents. It is very crowded & some times not easy to find things.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Meet new friends, improved people skills. Because space is so limited, staff is highly organized, I appreciate this & it helped me improve my use of space at home & time management.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
I felt useful & needed. A big ego boost to feel you have/serve some purpose. I also appreciate my living environment more.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
