April 6, 2025 • 22 mins
Connections That Count: Unleashing the Spirit of Volunteerism in Baltimore County
In this podcast, co-hosts Deacons Jon Shematek and Lauren Welch meet Alison Vogrin and Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin to learn about the important volunteer work coordinated through the Baltimore County Volunteer Center. Both Alison and Chanell share their personal journeys in volunteerism and their current roles; Alison as the Program Manager and Chanell as the Program Coordinator. They explain that the Volunteer Center serves as a clearing house connecting volunteers of all ages in the Baltimore area with opportunities to help various non-profit organizations. Highlighting the center's key features such as an online portal for easy access to volunteer opportunities and partnerships with over 80 non-profits, they also touch upon the various challenges they face, primarily public awareness. They mention a few of their many programs, like community cleanup coming up on April 12, 2025 with with Deaf Shalom Zone, Meals on Wheels, partnerships with the Baltimore County Public Schools, and emphasize the importance of making it easier for people to volunteer. The session ends with Alison and Chanell discussing the personal and community benefits of volunteerism and encouraging more people to get involved.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:32 Alison's Journey into Volunteerism
01:20 Chanell's Path to Volunteer Work
02:06 Roles and Responsibilities at the Volunteer Center
03:38 Volunteer Center's Initiatives and Programs
08:22 Challenges and Outreach Efforts
11:09 Highlighting Special Programs and Events
14:24 How to Get Involved and Contact Information
19:46 Importance of Volunteerism and Final Thoughts
21:09 Closing Remarks and Gratitude
Website: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/volunteers
Baltimore County Volunteer Center phone: 410 887 2733
Email address: volunteers@baltimorecountymd.gov.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Lynn Shematek (00:01):
Hello friends.
I'm Lynn Shematek with the Good Newsteam let's Meet Allison Vogrin
and Chanell Abdul -Muhaimin of theBaltimore County Volunteer Center.
Join our co-hosts Deacons, Jon Shematekand Lauren Welch as we bring you
another podcast episode in our secondseason of Good News, all about people
(00:26):
making a difference in the world.
Jon Shematek (00:28):
Alison Vogrin and Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin.
Welcome to our podcast.
We are thrilled that you're with us today.
Lauren Welch (00:37):
Thank you.
Jon Shematek (00:38):
So you are both responsible for a lot of amazing volunteer work
that goes on in Baltimore County.
What I'd like to do is have you tell us alittle bit about yourselves and your own
journey how did you get to this point?
Alison Vogrin (00:54):
Thank you for having us on the show today.
I've always had a volunteer spiritfor years, ever since I was a kid.
as an adult, I started gettinginvolved in volunteer activities and
decided that I wanted to pursue it.
As a career.
I joined AmeriCorps and thatreally formed what I wanted to do.
And it's terms of managing volunteers.
I also had a passion forworking with older adults.
(01:17):
So when I came to the BaltimoreCounty Department of Aging, which is
what our volunteer center is under
Started in the volunteer capacityoverseeing a AmeriCorps program.
Connecting volunteers 55 and overwith volunteer opportunities.
as that progressed and the introductionof a volunteer center came about,
I applied for the position and havebeen the past year and a half in this
(01:39):
role as a volunteer program manager.
Jon Shematek (01:41):
Great.
Chanell, what about you?
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (01:45):
I started off as a volunteer, very young, Volunteerism
became my thing, so as I grew older andgot jobs, I decided that I wanted to
stay in volunteerism and help people.
I feel like it's a part of humanservices, and it's a great way to
connect with the community and myself.
I was born and raised in BaltimoreCity I used to volunteer at all
(02:06):
different types of platforms.
I Left John Hopkins Hospital.
I was there for about three to fouryears and I left due to a restructure
And that's how I got at the Department ofAging Baltimore County Volunteer Center.
Jon Shematek (02:23):
Thank you.
Lauren Welch (02:25):
So Alison and Chanell, can you tell us?
What you do in your specific jobs?
I know Alison you're the program Manager.
. And Chanell is, a program coordinator.
Alison Vogrin (02:37):
our volunteer center acts as a clearing house.
we connect volunteers of all agesin the greater Baltimore region
with volunteer opportunities.
we launched this a year and a halfago, so we're still developing it.
as the program manager, it's formulatingwhere we want to go working with
nonprofits, forming relationships doingoutreach in the community and building
(02:59):
that relationship I'll let Chanellexplain more about some of the specific
activities we have done and have coming up
Jon Shematek (03:05):
Alison you're responsible for developing the relationships and the
network of all these different I thinksome of them are faith based and others
are NGOs and other kinds of entities.
And so that's your basic role
Alison Vogrin (03:17):
Yes.
Chanell and I tag team ona lot of this together.
as the manager, I'm doing more ofthe behind the scenes policy part
or the overall Operation of it.
But Chanell is there right with me workingon getting our word out about the program.
We do overlap.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (03:38):
So we try to make outreach to the different agencies,
get them to understand that thevolunteer portal is there to help them.
It's free of charge.
other than recruiting the agencies, wealso give recommendations to volunteers
who email us about organizations.
They may want to connect witheven if they're not a user on the
(03:58):
portal, we still connect them.
We also hold service.
Days where we work with some of theagencies we support on the portal.
We have a community cleanup comingup that we're participating in and
we recruit volunteers for as well.
We recently had a lunch and learn thathad over 35 agencies participating
(04:19):
where we talk about volunteer topicsthat affect their organization and.
We have a volunteer faircoming up pretty soon.
That's another thing thatwe like to host once a year.
Where we ask all the agenciesconnected to our portal to come out
and support volunteer recruitment.
Jon Shematek (04:37):
Wow, that's great.
you mentioned earlier that you'repart of the department of the aging
I was at your website recently.
it's overwhelming all the programsthat you offer and support Lauren
and I are all about connections.
this is just awesome for us, someof your programs are targeted
towards seniors and others actually.
Enable seniors to volunteer themselves.
(04:59):
Is that right?
Alison Vogrin (05:02):
Yeah.
While we're housed under the departmentof aging, we're really a Baltimore County
government initiative for all ages.
One of the facets under the volunteercenter is that retired and senior
volunteer program, which is thatAmeriCorps program that connects
volunteers 55 and over with opportunities.
we have two colleagues incharge of that grant program,
(05:22):
and they work in our office.
So we tag team with them.
whenever we get inquiries fromsomebody who is within that age
range, we'll refer them over to theretired and senior volunteer program.
we work with the other programsin the Department of Aging
that recruit volunteers.
we have volunteers.
(05:43):
With the Medicare assistanceprogram, who are providing phone
support and doing presentationsin the community about Medicare.
We have volunteers with the hometeam that are providing socialization
as well as delivery of food toolder adults who are isolated.
We have volunteers with the ombudsmanprogram who are going out and advocating
(06:05):
for older adults and long term careand assisted living facilities.
We have volunteers with our nutritionprograms, so they're going out and making
sure people who don't have access tonutritious meals are having that and
coming together for socialization as well.
So there's multiple programs just withinthe Department of Aging that we're
helping to support and promote, but then,as you mentioned, there are a number
(06:27):
out in the greater Baltimore region
Jon Shematek (06:29):
Do the recipients of the services or the entities
that offered services need to bepart of Baltimore County as well?
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (06:37):
No, they can be in the whole greater Baltimore area.
They don't necessarily haveto be Baltimore County.
Mostly all the agencies that we haveon the portal are a part of Maryland.
Alison Vogrin (06:48):
when we talk about the portal we have an online
platform, so that's the keyfeature of our volunteer center.
So while you can call us and emailus and ask for help in finding
volunteer opportunities that featureportal is there as a tool to empower
people to search for opportunities.
(07:08):
Based on their interests accessibility,skill level and location.
it's a nice feature because ithas different types of filters.
we have more than 80 non profits inthe area that are posting their needs.
a volunteer can go onto the portal,find out that agency's mission
learn about where they're located,
(07:28):
Read the needs to see specifically.
Do I fit the age requirement?
What's the time commitment involvedif someone's interested, they
can go ahead and directly respondthrough the portal to that agency.
Then the agency can followup with the next steps.
We've have right now around.
We have over 800 users on theplatform, volunteer users.
(07:50):
And in the time that we have been sincewe've launched in the October 2023, there
have been over 1200 connections madebetween volunteers and opportunities.
We like to think of this as a onestop shop where you can just go on
and we have comprehensive Listingof all these different agencies.
So you can do an easy search ratherthan having to search here and there.
(08:11):
It's just in one spot.
the thought is that it makes it easier.
I presented to a group of studentsat Towson University and Part of
what they had indicated as terms ofvolunteering, what their fear was just
that initial outreach to an agency.
How do I find them?
How do I get started?
I tried to show them thistool is to help you with that.
(08:31):
And these are agencies thatare looking for volunteers.
Chanell and I are responsible formaintaining those relationships with
the agencies so that we know that theyare following up with the volunteers.
Lauren Welch (08:44):
What are some of the challenges that you've had
? Alison Vogrin (08:49):
Yeah Chanell, Some of the challenges are one,
this is a virtual platform.
So there's the technical piece of it.
Initially, we launched and that tookus a little while to get that up and
running to where we needed to be.
But we've got it now.
And we have a great techteam that helps us with that.
Two challenges making sure ourmessage is getting out to the public.
(09:10):
So that's why today's platform that you'reoffering us is very important because
a lot of people haven't heard of us.
And Chanell and I are for the volunteercenter are just the team of two.
Trying to get the word out whilealso being in the office, handling
calls and planning these programs.
Those are definitely challenged.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin: Some challenges are. (09:27):
undefined
making a recommendation for somethingthat might be a little out of our field.
We may not have an agency that we canmatch them right away with because a lot
of people believe we're the ones doingthe hiring for volunteers when we're
just matching them with organizations.
That's one of the challengesand definitely always getting
(09:47):
the word out that we're here.
A lot of people, even me, when Ifirst started, did not know that
there was a GetConnected portal.
I didn't know that it was a place whereI can take two minutes to log on and
register and then match myself up withdifferent organizations creating filters.
I think that's a wonderful thing,because just like I was telling
(10:08):
Alison recently, back in my day,it was a lot of cold calling.
Sending out emails beforeemails was really a big thing.
And it was hard to get an answer back.
The most important part is gettingan answer back and finding a
place that is suitable for you.
A lot of volunteers ride buses.
The older volunteers, they'regetting rides to these places.
(10:30):
So you want to be somewherematched that you can rely on.
Just basically getting the wordout, letting people know we're here.
Alison Vogrin (10:39):
And I also want to touch upon that connector
where we're clearing house.
a lot of times people here,Baltimore County Volunteer Center
and their individual in thecommunity who needs services.
They reach out to us thinkingwe have a pool of people we can
just send to offer the service.
we can't do that for liability reasons.
We're only working between brokeringthat relationship between a established
(11:00):
nonprofit and the volunteers.
It's hard when we get requests fromindividuals who need the services.
We can refer them to agencies, butThere aren't always agencies in the
community to fill those gaps either.
Jon Shematek (11:12):
I'm glad you made that clarification Alison and Chanell,
people might think, Oh, I can call thisand I'll get connected to somebody.
Whereas you have a.
Trusted, vetted, establishedgroup of agencies and
entities that need volunteers.
so your job is to connect.
Chanell.
I've never heard of you guys whenI got on the website and saw.
(11:36):
That vast array of programs, it wouldn'tbe fair to ask if you have a favorite,
but I do want to know if there are anyprograms you especially want to highlight.
Alison, I think you said inyour bio that you're an animal
lover, or maybe a volunteer at ananimal shelter from time to time.
There's a whole animal services piece.
And the schools this is, amazing.
(11:57):
are there any particularprograms either Chanell or Alison
that you want to highlight?
Either where there's a really specialneed or it might be a surprise to
some of our viewers and listeners?
Alison Vogrin (12:09):
having a community cleanup with Deaf Shalom Zone, an
organization that provides a pantryfor the greater community, but two,
it offers a lot of resources andservices for people who are deaf.
We're going to be doing communitycleanup with them on April 12th.
So we're, it's just Saturday and we'reexcited about that because, we get to
learn more about their needs firsthandwhen a volunteer contacts us about it.
(12:32):
We can tell it in moredetail what it's about.
it's a Saturday, April 12th from 10 to1 at Deaf Shalom zone, which is in the.
Pikesville Catonsville areawe need about 20 volunteers.
It's a little bit of physical activity.
We're going to be doing some cleaninghelping the stock in the pantry, but
we're going to be looking forward to that.
(12:53):
And I can just speak because there'sso many organizations that we can't to
narrow it down to say they're all amazing.
They all do great things.
But to speak to different activitieswe've done in the past that
I'd like to plug and promote.
We did a Clean up the BenjaminBanneker Historical Parks.
last fall worked with the BaltimoreCounty Department of Recreation
(13:15):
and Parks as well as Yield Camp.
that's an organization thatconnects people with nature.
We did a cleanup in the parkthere an organization www.
fema.
gov Gets a lot of volunteers fromour portal last spring, we went to
their site and assembled food basketsthat they delivered to homeless
individuals throughout the state.
(13:36):
those are just some of the initiatives.
we've worked with and firsthandknow what they're doing.
Chanell, I don't know if you have apreference or anything for any of the
organizations that you want to plug.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin: Again, Deaf Shalom. (13:46):
undefined
We're going to be doinga community cleanup.
We met, I met with the manager there.
The person who runs thatorganization, beautiful woman.
She has a lot of plans for thisplace and hopefully we can help
clean up their community as well.
We recently did a groupretreat for our division.
(14:07):
At art with a heart,which is a great place.
I recommend it.
If you and the wife are looking tovolunteer somewhere and get artsy and
crafty, it's a great place to volunteerand every and anything that you makes
goes to their store where they sellit and the proceeds go back into the
community for art programs for kids.
(14:29):
It's a great place And again, all ofthem, like meals on wheels, help out
the community a lot for those who can'tget out and get meals for themselves.
You just can't pick 1, because everybodydoes a great job and pretty much
contributes in some way, shape, or form.
Jon Shematek (14:46):
Great.
We're going to ask you, for somecontact information, since you mentioned
the April 12th event at Deaf Shalom,
if someone were Interested in thatparticular event, how do people find
you, let's say the Deaf Shalom one inparticular, since you highlighted that.
how would they find it?
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (15:05):
of course, we're recruiting it and we'll probably
have it as a spotlight on a portal.
But as well, you can reach out directlyto us at our phone number, which is
410 887 2733 You can leave a messageto register or you can email us at,
Alison Vogrin: volunteers@baltimorecountymd.gov. (15:23):
undefined
Jon Shematek (15:27):
I
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (15:27):
we try to make sure that we always
answer people right away.
Alison is really big on making surepeople get a response back from us.
So you'll always receivea response back for us.
Whether it's phone call andyou leave a voicemail or you
send us an email, we will.
We make sure that we giveback to each and every person.
Jon Shematek (15:44):
Great.
did I understand you a momentago saying you Spotlight events
from time to time on the website
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (15:51):
Yeah, during our holiday, a lot of places will
have spotlight, like happy helpers,meals on wheels they may have events,
especially during the holiday andthe Thanksgiving season, which, a
lot of people like to give back.
Some people will be looking for, onetime initiatives or ongoing initiatives.
And that's a really great place to go.
(16:13):
go on a portal and you cansee these highlights pop up.
Jon Shematek (16:17):
That's fantastic.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (16:20):
Yeah, another thing that want to work with agencies.
We do a hands on thing with the agencies.
If they can't set up theirportal or they need help, we're
there to pick up the phone.
We have lab hours that they cancall and get help and Walk through
it just like the user wherethey are for the agency as well.
Jon Shematek (16:39):
Super.
I did have an additional question becausemost of the folks that are doing such
wonderful things Talk to us at some pointin the discussion about money and funding.
are you completely funded bycounty government or do people make
donations other than volunteering?
Alison Vogrin (16:59):
Correct.
we are solely county funds.
We don't take donations Andhave a bare bones budget.
the two of us and staff.
The staff with the retired and seniorvolunteer program have their own
funding through the AmeriCorps grant.
this is a county wide initiative thatoriginally launched under the former
county executive Johnny Oshkoski Jr.
he wanted to see avolunteer center reinstated.
(17:22):
there were initial funds for that.
our portal is our main primary.
Feature if anything, thatwould be our biggest expense.
There would be just maintaining thatonline contract with the vendor.
we do, have other budgets for the,service events, but again, we're
going to the agencies and serving.
So a lot of times we don't need.
A lot of supplies for that because theagencies already have it all on hand.
Jon Shematek (17:45):
That's great.
But
Alison Vogrin (17:46):
thank you for asking about the fund, the funding.
Jon Shematek (17:48):
Yeah.
So the main thing is to get theword out about all the amazing
work that you facilitate.
You make these vital connections peopleare really hungry help someone else,
not just watch the news and fret aboutthings, but what can I do that's going
to make a difference in someone's life?
some of these things can be aone time, Others, depending on
(18:09):
the agency, are more ongoing.
weekly, monthly, whateverpeople are able to do.
So that's also great to hear.
Alison Vogrin (18:16):
on the portal it's nice that it's set up where
an agency can specify that.
if it's a one time activity,you can actually sign up for
the specific date you want.
So it would list out all the dates andthe times and you can select the shift.
if it's an ongoing, it's more,You just do a general response.
Someone has to follow up with you.
And most likely, with an ongoingopportunity, there's more screening
(18:38):
processes, such as a background check,it may be a volunteer interview.
When volunteers are going on the portaland looking for opportunities, we ask them
to be mindful of, your commitment level.
What works with your schedule right now?
And when I was with the group of studentsfrom Towson University the other day,
I suggested, why not start with a onetime activity, if an agency offers both,
(18:59):
I used St.
Vincent de Paul as an example, Theyhave an upcoming event, the Empty
Bowls event, where you can find outmore about their mission and what they
do, you can ease into it and possiblyvolunteer at one of the shelters
later, but it exposes you initially.
we do have a feature on the portal.
for youth.
we have a partnership with BaltimoreCounty Public Schools so that if a
(19:23):
student who needs service learninghours goes to our portal, there's a
link that says student service hours.
They can click on it and the agencieslisted there have all met the requirements
to be approved for the BCPS mandate.
those agencies have met with theoffice that oversees the service
learning requirement and havecompleted the necessary training.
(19:44):
So it makes it easier for thestudent because they don't need
to question if this is within theframework of the requirement or not.
The agencies have already saidthat we've taken that step.
Jon Shematek (19:55):
I know Lauren always has one final question
Lauren Welch (19:57):
You all have thought of everything that a volunteer would need.
you have given so much information.
I would like each one of youto share some final thoughts.
share why volunteerism is so importantand people need to think about that.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (20:19):
I think volunteerism is very important because
work experience, learning experience,socialization skills, you talk with
people, you build relationshipsIt helps build the community up.
I'm born and raised in Baltimore.
It's a place that has many smallgems, nonprofits, church, faith based.
Places that you can build a strongsense of home with volunteers.
(20:44):
It's a great way to build confidencelearn skills and just meet different
people of every walk of life.
Alison Vogrin (20:53):
I agree.
Completely with what Chanell said.
maybe we're a little biased becauseboth Chanell and I are, avid volunteers
but I also feel we all have acivic duty support our community.
It could even be going out anddoing a cleanup or planting trees
We all have an ability to give back.
And we should take advantage of thatthat's a gift to be able to Pass that
forward whether it be our skill orjust doing something kind for others,
(21:18):
just being able to give that forward.
and that's in addition to everythingthat Chanell said about all the personal
benefits one can get from volunteering.
Jon Shematek (21:27):
Yeah, that's beautiful.
that's great.
I just want to thank both of youfor being here today and for sharing
these stories this is very excitingto me and we can't wait to spread this
good news and let people hear aboutwhat's right in our own backyard.
All they need to do is get on the internetand they can find a way to help out.
And do good and maybe find a littlemeaning in their own lives doing so.
(21:49):
So once again, thank you very much.
We really appreciate yourtime and the work that you do.
Alison Vogrin (21:54):
thank you for lifting this message up.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (21:57):
We thank you too.
People like you, if it wasn't for wordof mouth and people asking the questions.
No one would ever know.
Lauren Welch (22:04):
That's right.
We didn't know until now.
So thank you.
This is amazing.
And Jon and I want to thank allwho are watching and listening
for the gift of your time today.
Until next time, peace and blessings.
Bye bye.
Lynn Shematek (22:20):
This episode of Good News has been brought
to you by Listening for Clues.
For more podcasts, check outour YouTube channel or our
website listening for clues.com.
Hello friends.
I'm Lynn Shematek with the Good Newsteam let's Meet Allison Vogrin
and Chanell Abdul -Muhaimin of theBaltimore County Volunteer Center.
Join our co-hosts Deacons, Jon Shematekand Lauren Welch as we bring you
another podcast episode in our secondseason of Good News, all about people
(00:26):
making a difference in the world.
Jon Shematek (00:28):
Alison Vogrin and Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin.
Welcome to our podcast.
We are thrilled that you're with us today.
Lauren Welch (00:37):
Thank you.
Jon Shematek (00:38):
So you are both responsible for a lot of amazing volunteer work
that goes on in Baltimore County.
What I'd like to do is have you tell us alittle bit about yourselves and your own
journey how did you get to this point?
Alison Vogrin (00:54):
Thank you for having us on the show today.
I've always had a volunteer spiritfor years, ever since I was a kid.
as an adult, I started gettinginvolved in volunteer activities and
decided that I wanted to pursue it.
As a career.
I joined AmeriCorps and thatreally formed what I wanted to do.
And it's terms of managing volunteers.
I also had a passion forworking with older adults.
(01:17):
So when I came to the BaltimoreCounty Department of Aging, which is
what our volunteer center is under
Started in the volunteer capacityoverseeing a AmeriCorps program.
Connecting volunteers 55 and overwith volunteer opportunities.
as that progressed and the introductionof a volunteer center came about,
I applied for the position and havebeen the past year and a half in this
(01:39):
role as a volunteer program manager.
Jon Shematek (01:41):
Great.
Chanell, what about you?
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (01:45):
I started off as a volunteer, very young, Volunteerism
became my thing, so as I grew older andgot jobs, I decided that I wanted to
stay in volunteerism and help people.
I feel like it's a part of humanservices, and it's a great way to
connect with the community and myself.
I was born and raised in BaltimoreCity I used to volunteer at all
(02:06):
different types of platforms.
I Left John Hopkins Hospital.
I was there for about three to fouryears and I left due to a restructure
And that's how I got at the Department ofAging Baltimore County Volunteer Center.
Jon Shematek (02:23):
Thank you.
Lauren Welch (02:25):
So Alison and Chanell, can you tell us?
What you do in your specific jobs?
I know Alison you're the program Manager.
. And Chanell is, a program coordinator.
Alison Vogrin (02:37):
our volunteer center acts as a clearing house.
we connect volunteers of all agesin the greater Baltimore region
with volunteer opportunities.
we launched this a year and a halfago, so we're still developing it.
as the program manager, it's formulatingwhere we want to go working with
nonprofits, forming relationships doingoutreach in the community and building
(02:59):
that relationship I'll let Chanellexplain more about some of the specific
activities we have done and have coming up
Jon Shematek (03:05):
Alison you're responsible for developing the relationships and the
network of all these different I thinksome of them are faith based and others
are NGOs and other kinds of entities.
And so that's your basic role
Alison Vogrin (03:17):
Yes.
Chanell and I tag team ona lot of this together.
as the manager, I'm doing more ofthe behind the scenes policy part
or the overall Operation of it.
But Chanell is there right with me workingon getting our word out about the program.
We do overlap.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (03:38):
So we try to make outreach to the different agencies,
get them to understand that thevolunteer portal is there to help them.
It's free of charge.
other than recruiting the agencies, wealso give recommendations to volunteers
who email us about organizations.
They may want to connect witheven if they're not a user on the
(03:58):
portal, we still connect them.
We also hold service.
Days where we work with some of theagencies we support on the portal.
We have a community cleanup comingup that we're participating in and
we recruit volunteers for as well.
We recently had a lunch and learn thathad over 35 agencies participating
(04:19):
where we talk about volunteer topicsthat affect their organization and.
We have a volunteer faircoming up pretty soon.
That's another thing thatwe like to host once a year.
Where we ask all the agenciesconnected to our portal to come out
and support volunteer recruitment.
Jon Shematek (04:37):
Wow, that's great.
you mentioned earlier that you'repart of the department of the aging
I was at your website recently.
it's overwhelming all the programsthat you offer and support Lauren
and I are all about connections.
this is just awesome for us, someof your programs are targeted
towards seniors and others actually.
Enable seniors to volunteer themselves.
(04:59):
Is that right?
Alison Vogrin (05:02):
Yeah.
While we're housed under the departmentof aging, we're really a Baltimore County
government initiative for all ages.
One of the facets under the volunteercenter is that retired and senior
volunteer program, which is thatAmeriCorps program that connects
volunteers 55 and over with opportunities.
we have two colleagues incharge of that grant program,
(05:22):
and they work in our office.
So we tag team with them.
whenever we get inquiries fromsomebody who is within that age
range, we'll refer them over to theretired and senior volunteer program.
we work with the other programsin the Department of Aging
that recruit volunteers.
we have volunteers.
(05:43):
With the Medicare assistanceprogram, who are providing phone
support and doing presentationsin the community about Medicare.
We have volunteers with the hometeam that are providing socialization
as well as delivery of food toolder adults who are isolated.
We have volunteers with the ombudsmanprogram who are going out and advocating
(06:05):
for older adults and long term careand assisted living facilities.
We have volunteers with our nutritionprograms, so they're going out and making
sure people who don't have access tonutritious meals are having that and
coming together for socialization as well.
So there's multiple programs just withinthe Department of Aging that we're
helping to support and promote, but then,as you mentioned, there are a number
(06:27):
out in the greater Baltimore region
Jon Shematek (06:29):
Do the recipients of the services or the entities
that offered services need to bepart of Baltimore County as well?
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (06:37):
No, they can be in the whole greater Baltimore area.
They don't necessarily haveto be Baltimore County.
Mostly all the agencies that we haveon the portal are a part of Maryland.
Alison Vogrin (06:48):
when we talk about the portal we have an online
platform, so that's the keyfeature of our volunteer center.
So while you can call us and emailus and ask for help in finding
volunteer opportunities that featureportal is there as a tool to empower
people to search for opportunities.
(07:08):
Based on their interests accessibility,skill level and location.
it's a nice feature because ithas different types of filters.
we have more than 80 non profits inthe area that are posting their needs.
a volunteer can go onto the portal,find out that agency's mission
learn about where they're located,
(07:28):
Read the needs to see specifically.
Do I fit the age requirement?
What's the time commitment involvedif someone's interested, they
can go ahead and directly respondthrough the portal to that agency.
Then the agency can followup with the next steps.
We've have right now around.
We have over 800 users on theplatform, volunteer users.
(07:50):
And in the time that we have been sincewe've launched in the October 2023, there
have been over 1200 connections madebetween volunteers and opportunities.
We like to think of this as a onestop shop where you can just go on
and we have comprehensive Listingof all these different agencies.
So you can do an easy search ratherthan having to search here and there.
(08:11):
It's just in one spot.
the thought is that it makes it easier.
I presented to a group of studentsat Towson University and Part of
what they had indicated as terms ofvolunteering, what their fear was just
that initial outreach to an agency.
How do I find them?
How do I get started?
I tried to show them thistool is to help you with that.
(08:31):
And these are agencies thatare looking for volunteers.
Chanell and I are responsible formaintaining those relationships with
the agencies so that we know that theyare following up with the volunteers.
Lauren Welch (08:44):
What are some of the challenges that you've had
? Alison Vogrin (08:49):
Yeah Chanell, Some of the challenges are one,
this is a virtual platform.
So there's the technical piece of it.
Initially, we launched and that tookus a little while to get that up and
running to where we needed to be.
But we've got it now.
And we have a great techteam that helps us with that.
Two challenges making sure ourmessage is getting out to the public.
(09:10):
So that's why today's platform that you'reoffering us is very important because
a lot of people haven't heard of us.
And Chanell and I are for the volunteercenter are just the team of two.
Trying to get the word out whilealso being in the office, handling
calls and planning these programs.
Those are definitely challenged.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin: Some challenges are. (09:27):
undefined
making a recommendation for somethingthat might be a little out of our field.
We may not have an agency that we canmatch them right away with because a lot
of people believe we're the ones doingthe hiring for volunteers when we're
just matching them with organizations.
That's one of the challengesand definitely always getting
(09:47):
the word out that we're here.
A lot of people, even me, when Ifirst started, did not know that
there was a GetConnected portal.
I didn't know that it was a place whereI can take two minutes to log on and
register and then match myself up withdifferent organizations creating filters.
I think that's a wonderful thing,because just like I was telling
(10:08):
Alison recently, back in my day,it was a lot of cold calling.
Sending out emails beforeemails was really a big thing.
And it was hard to get an answer back.
The most important part is gettingan answer back and finding a
place that is suitable for you.
A lot of volunteers ride buses.
The older volunteers, they'regetting rides to these places.
(10:30):
So you want to be somewherematched that you can rely on.
Just basically getting the wordout, letting people know we're here.
Alison Vogrin (10:39):
And I also want to touch upon that connector
where we're clearing house.
a lot of times people here,Baltimore County Volunteer Center
and their individual in thecommunity who needs services.
They reach out to us thinkingwe have a pool of people we can
just send to offer the service.
we can't do that for liability reasons.
We're only working between brokeringthat relationship between a established
(11:00):
nonprofit and the volunteers.
It's hard when we get requests fromindividuals who need the services.
We can refer them to agencies, butThere aren't always agencies in the
community to fill those gaps either.
Jon Shematek (11:12):
I'm glad you made that clarification Alison and Chanell,
people might think, Oh, I can call thisand I'll get connected to somebody.
Whereas you have a.
Trusted, vetted, establishedgroup of agencies and
entities that need volunteers.
so your job is to connect.
Chanell.
I've never heard of you guys whenI got on the website and saw.
(11:36):
That vast array of programs, it wouldn'tbe fair to ask if you have a favorite,
but I do want to know if there are anyprograms you especially want to highlight.
Alison, I think you said inyour bio that you're an animal
lover, or maybe a volunteer at ananimal shelter from time to time.
There's a whole animal services piece.
And the schools this is, amazing.
(11:57):
are there any particularprograms either Chanell or Alison
that you want to highlight?
Either where there's a really specialneed or it might be a surprise to
some of our viewers and listeners?
Alison Vogrin (12:09):
having a community cleanup with Deaf Shalom Zone, an
organization that provides a pantryfor the greater community, but two,
it offers a lot of resources andservices for people who are deaf.
We're going to be doing communitycleanup with them on April 12th.
So we're, it's just Saturday and we'reexcited about that because, we get to
learn more about their needs firsthandwhen a volunteer contacts us about it.
(12:32):
We can tell it in moredetail what it's about.
it's a Saturday, April 12th from 10 to1 at Deaf Shalom zone, which is in the.
Pikesville Catonsville areawe need about 20 volunteers.
It's a little bit of physical activity.
We're going to be doing some cleaninghelping the stock in the pantry, but
we're going to be looking forward to that.
(12:53):
And I can just speak because there'sso many organizations that we can't to
narrow it down to say they're all amazing.
They all do great things.
But to speak to different activitieswe've done in the past that
I'd like to plug and promote.
We did a Clean up the BenjaminBanneker Historical Parks.
last fall worked with the BaltimoreCounty Department of Recreation
(13:15):
and Parks as well as Yield Camp.
that's an organization thatconnects people with nature.
We did a cleanup in the parkthere an organization www.
fema.
gov Gets a lot of volunteers fromour portal last spring, we went to
their site and assembled food basketsthat they delivered to homeless
individuals throughout the state.
(13:36):
those are just some of the initiatives.
we've worked with and firsthandknow what they're doing.
Chanell, I don't know if you have apreference or anything for any of the
organizations that you want to plug.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin: Again, Deaf Shalom. (13:46):
undefined
We're going to be doinga community cleanup.
We met, I met with the manager there.
The person who runs thatorganization, beautiful woman.
She has a lot of plans for thisplace and hopefully we can help
clean up their community as well.
We recently did a groupretreat for our division.
(14:07):
At art with a heart,which is a great place.
I recommend it.
If you and the wife are looking tovolunteer somewhere and get artsy and
crafty, it's a great place to volunteerand every and anything that you makes
goes to their store where they sellit and the proceeds go back into the
community for art programs for kids.
(14:29):
It's a great place And again, all ofthem, like meals on wheels, help out
the community a lot for those who can'tget out and get meals for themselves.
You just can't pick 1, because everybodydoes a great job and pretty much
contributes in some way, shape, or form.
Jon Shematek (14:46):
Great.
We're going to ask you, for somecontact information, since you mentioned
the April 12th event at Deaf Shalom,
if someone were Interested in thatparticular event, how do people find
you, let's say the Deaf Shalom one inparticular, since you highlighted that.
how would they find it?
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (15:05):
of course, we're recruiting it and we'll probably
have it as a spotlight on a portal.
But as well, you can reach out directlyto us at our phone number, which is
410 887 2733 You can leave a messageto register or you can email us at,
Alison Vogrin: volunteers@baltimorecountymd.gov. (15:23):
undefined
Jon Shematek (15:27):
I
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (15:27):
we try to make sure that we always
answer people right away.
Alison is really big on making surepeople get a response back from us.
So you'll always receivea response back for us.
Whether it's phone call andyou leave a voicemail or you
send us an email, we will.
We make sure that we giveback to each and every person.
Jon Shematek (15:44):
Great.
did I understand you a momentago saying you Spotlight events
from time to time on the website
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (15:51):
Yeah, during our holiday, a lot of places will
have spotlight, like happy helpers,meals on wheels they may have events,
especially during the holiday andthe Thanksgiving season, which, a
lot of people like to give back.
Some people will be looking for, onetime initiatives or ongoing initiatives.
And that's a really great place to go.
(16:13):
go on a portal and you cansee these highlights pop up.
Jon Shematek (16:17):
That's fantastic.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (16:20):
Yeah, another thing that want to work with agencies.
We do a hands on thing with the agencies.
If they can't set up theirportal or they need help, we're
there to pick up the phone.
We have lab hours that they cancall and get help and Walk through
it just like the user wherethey are for the agency as well.
Jon Shematek (16:39):
Super.
I did have an additional question becausemost of the folks that are doing such
wonderful things Talk to us at some pointin the discussion about money and funding.
are you completely funded bycounty government or do people make
donations other than volunteering?
Alison Vogrin (16:59):
Correct.
we are solely county funds.
We don't take donations Andhave a bare bones budget.
the two of us and staff.
The staff with the retired and seniorvolunteer program have their own
funding through the AmeriCorps grant.
this is a county wide initiative thatoriginally launched under the former
county executive Johnny Oshkoski Jr.
he wanted to see avolunteer center reinstated.
(17:22):
there were initial funds for that.
our portal is our main primary.
Feature if anything, thatwould be our biggest expense.
There would be just maintaining thatonline contract with the vendor.
we do, have other budgets for the,service events, but again, we're
going to the agencies and serving.
So a lot of times we don't need.
A lot of supplies for that because theagencies already have it all on hand.
Jon Shematek (17:45):
That's great.
But
Alison Vogrin (17:46):
thank you for asking about the fund, the funding.
Jon Shematek (17:48):
Yeah.
So the main thing is to get theword out about all the amazing
work that you facilitate.
You make these vital connections peopleare really hungry help someone else,
not just watch the news and fret aboutthings, but what can I do that's going
to make a difference in someone's life?
some of these things can be aone time, Others, depending on
(18:09):
the agency, are more ongoing.
weekly, monthly, whateverpeople are able to do.
So that's also great to hear.
Alison Vogrin (18:16):
on the portal it's nice that it's set up where
an agency can specify that.
if it's a one time activity,you can actually sign up for
the specific date you want.
So it would list out all the dates andthe times and you can select the shift.
if it's an ongoing, it's more,You just do a general response.
Someone has to follow up with you.
And most likely, with an ongoingopportunity, there's more screening
(18:38):
processes, such as a background check,it may be a volunteer interview.
When volunteers are going on the portaland looking for opportunities, we ask them
to be mindful of, your commitment level.
What works with your schedule right now?
And when I was with the group of studentsfrom Towson University the other day,
I suggested, why not start with a onetime activity, if an agency offers both,
(18:59):
I used St.
Vincent de Paul as an example, Theyhave an upcoming event, the Empty
Bowls event, where you can find outmore about their mission and what they
do, you can ease into it and possiblyvolunteer at one of the shelters
later, but it exposes you initially.
we do have a feature on the portal.
for youth.
we have a partnership with BaltimoreCounty Public Schools so that if a
(19:23):
student who needs service learninghours goes to our portal, there's a
link that says student service hours.
They can click on it and the agencieslisted there have all met the requirements
to be approved for the BCPS mandate.
those agencies have met with theoffice that oversees the service
learning requirement and havecompleted the necessary training.
(19:44):
So it makes it easier for thestudent because they don't need
to question if this is within theframework of the requirement or not.
The agencies have already saidthat we've taken that step.
Jon Shematek (19:55):
I know Lauren always has one final question
Lauren Welch (19:57):
You all have thought of everything that a volunteer would need.
you have given so much information.
I would like each one of youto share some final thoughts.
share why volunteerism is so importantand people need to think about that.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (20:19):
I think volunteerism is very important because
work experience, learning experience,socialization skills, you talk with
people, you build relationshipsIt helps build the community up.
I'm born and raised in Baltimore.
It's a place that has many smallgems, nonprofits, church, faith based.
Places that you can build a strongsense of home with volunteers.
(20:44):
It's a great way to build confidencelearn skills and just meet different
people of every walk of life.
Alison Vogrin (20:53):
I agree.
Completely with what Chanell said.
maybe we're a little biased becauseboth Chanell and I are, avid volunteers
but I also feel we all have acivic duty support our community.
It could even be going out anddoing a cleanup or planting trees
We all have an ability to give back.
And we should take advantage of thatthat's a gift to be able to Pass that
forward whether it be our skill orjust doing something kind for others,
(21:18):
just being able to give that forward.
and that's in addition to everythingthat Chanell said about all the personal
benefits one can get from volunteering.
Jon Shematek (21:27):
Yeah, that's beautiful.
that's great.
I just want to thank both of youfor being here today and for sharing
these stories this is very excitingto me and we can't wait to spread this
good news and let people hear aboutwhat's right in our own backyard.
All they need to do is get on the internetand they can find a way to help out.
And do good and maybe find a littlemeaning in their own lives doing so.
(21:49):
So once again, thank you very much.
We really appreciate yourtime and the work that you do.
Alison Vogrin (21:54):
thank you for lifting this message up.
Chanell Abdul-Muhaimin (21:57):
We thank you too.
People like you, if it wasn't for wordof mouth and people asking the questions.
No one would ever know.
Lauren Welch (22:04):
That's right.
We didn't know until now.
So thank you.
This is amazing.
And Jon and I want to thank allwho are watching and listening
for the gift of your time today.
Until next time, peace and blessings.
Bye bye.
Lynn Shematek (22:20):
This episode of Good News has been brought
to you by Listening for Clues.
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