Service Impact Award
Service Impact Aware Nominee: Chelsea Leser / May 12012
AmeriCorps VISTA- Economic Opportunity
The Houston Food Bank has a vast number of volunteers coming through its doors continually, including WorkSource Solutions and Houston Housing Authority Volunteers. Chelsea Leser took on revamping the volunteer program thesevolunteersparticipate in, which previously stereotyped these two groups as Court Appointed Volunteers. She demonstrated her leadership abilities, professional communication skills, creative initiatives and dedication to making a difference in creating the “Blue Badge Volunteer Program.”
As stated before, the WorkSourceSolutions, Houston Housing Authority and Court Appointed Volunteers were lumped into a general category entitled “CAV’s.” These groups of volunteers were stereotyped as problematic throughout the organization. The individuals volunteering to meet the requirements associated with their benefits or housing were considered “Court Appointed” under this system. Unfortunately, staff would often treat CAV’s as someone who was “in trouble.” This generalization caused non- CAV’s to continue their volunteerism elsewhere.
Chelsea took on recreating the system as well as the image, and name given to the program. She started out by observing the current process and held meetings with relevant staff members to learn more about the structure of the program. She identified what worked in the program and what did not. From there, she created a new manual for the program and guided staff into thinking about things in a new way.
Once these new strategies were implemented, she hosted a training to educate staff members on the new processes put in place as well as how to work with this population. Prior to Chelsea’s work on the Blue Badge Volunteer Program, staff members would receive volunteers without a streamlined process for volunteer pick up, training, and shift completion. This training initiative produced 21 certified staff members able to work with this volunteer population. This created a standardized process for these incoming volunteers. Had she not done this, these volunteers could not work in the areas of the organization they do.
Chelsea’s efforts not only lead to a standardized approach to the Blue Badge Volunteer Program, but has made the Houston Food Bank a more appealing place for this volunteer population. Instead of asking for a new placement, WorkSource Volunteers want to remain at the Food Bank because it is now an organized program whereby volunteers are given what they need to complete their hours. Additionally, they are able to continue holding their residence, feeding their children and remaining on the benefits needed support them and their families.
Along with creating the Blue Badge Volunteer Program, Chelsea has taken on developing a Corporate Team Building Program for the Houston Food Bank. This program will create a source of income, new partnerships and future Houston Food Bank donors/volunteers. Chelsea’s will be recognized among her peers at the Summer Associate graduation dated August 10, 2012. She will be awarded a plaque for best practices. Additionally, she will be recognized among Houston Food Bank staff at an All Staff Meeting in the coming months.