United Way of Warren County and VMC, as partners, will help more volunteers

The two caring organizations have joined forces to expand volunteerism in Warren County. The United Way of Warren County decided to link up with VMC (Volunteer Management Centers, Inc.), a volunteer center serving northwest New Jersey for more than 35 years.
“We think this will be an ideal match for us,” said Sarah Brelvi, president and CEO of United Way of Warren County. “With a massive database of non-profit contacts and a significant track record of connecting volunteers to those in need, VMC will prove to be a tremendous asset in linking more Warren County employees and residents interested in community service.”

The United Way’s motto is ‘Give, Advocate, Volunteer and Live United,’ added Brelvi, “and both of our organizations are dedicated to building a stronger community by uniting individuals and institutions to create long-term sustainable solutions to issues that affect us all.”

The United Way helps bring communities together to examine the most urgent needs and do what is necessary to improve lives. Describing themselves as “much more than a fundraiser,” they also advocate for effective changes in public policies and programs.

Brelvi describes her organization, just five years young, as a “place where you can connect and get something done. Our job is to create access to the kinds of resources that will help people survive, gain independence, and become contributing participants in society.”

Most recently, the United Way Day of Caring coordinated over 60 volunteers for “Project Homeless Connect” providing information and services to homeless individuals in the Hackettstown and Phillipsburg areas.  

VMC brings to the table a wealth of experience purposefully connecting volunteers and organizations to solve community needs. They currently manage numerous innovative programs designed to serve a wide array of constituents throughout North Jersey.
Specifically, VMC has researched the more than 600 non-profit organizations serving Warren County and has narrowed down the list to those in need of volunteer assistance. Through VMC’s web site, www.vmcnj.org, individuals, families and groups can search for volunteer opportunities, and agencies can register their volunteer jobs. VMC also links their data to the 23 other volunteer centers throughout the state. If the right opportunity cannot be found, VMC will assist with individual searches to make a match and may be reached by calling 973-538-7200.

“We’ve seen a drastic up-tick in volunteerism due to the recession gripping this country,” said VMC’s Executive Director, Carol McKinney. “Thus, we’ve worked hard to fill the gap when workers are displaced in these tough economic times and want to keep job skills fresh. Our participation in helping more people explore volunteer opportunities in Warren County dovetails nicely with our mission. As I and three other VMC staff live in Warren County, it seemed a natural fit for us to step up our connections in the county.”

McKinney describes VMC’s involvement as providing the glue and the grease to enable corporations, agencies and individuals to collaborate more effectively and efficiently to achieve their community service goals. VMC will be reaching out to Warren County non-profits to determine whether they have suitable projects for United Way’s Alternate Spring Break or Community Volunteer Days of Caring. “We have supplied hundreds of volunteers in Warren County through Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Centenary College, Northwest NJ Regional Women’s Center, to name a few,” said McKinney, “and we are eager to expand our services”.