Flex Project Highlight: English Speaking Club at Mira Mesa Library

Maxine Choi, departing Team Leader of the English Speaking Club at Mira Mesa Library, tells us about her experiences:

"Working with the English Speaking Club at the Mira Mesa Library is an amazing experience. The project allows you to work closely with members of the community who want to practice or improve their English. Everyone who comes to practice their speaking skills is eager and enthusiastic, and they just love having the opportunity to talk to native speakers of English. I saw how important it was to provide a friendly, non-stressful environment for ESL learners to use their language skills.

For a non-native English speaker, simple things can become frustrating and communication is often difficult. As a team leader for this project, I have seen people who come to the English Speaking Club become more confident in their English and it's a great feeling knowing that you may have helped someone's daily communication become easier, even for simple things like ordering meals or asking for directions. But, beyond that, the most rewarding thing is seeing people in the community come together -- volunteers and ESL learners meeting each other, sharing stories, talking about their experiences and learning about each other. Seeing people reach across cultures and gain an understanding about another person's life experience is both exciting and intensely inspiring."

Thank you, Maxine, for all your hard work! Interested in becoming a Team Leader for this or another flex project? Attend our next Team Leader training on November 17 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Click here to sign up or email Debbie Krakauer at dkraukauer@volunteersandiego.org for more information.

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Flexible Volunteers Get It Done!

Flex keeps growing and improving the community! In the month of December, 445 new volunteers joined Flex and attended orientations. Welcome to you all!

Thanks to Flex volunteers like you...
751 volunteers completed 77 projects and 1,511 hours of service.

Not yet a Flex Member?
Please take our online Flex Orientation!

Have you ever considered becoming a Flex Team Leader? We need Team Leaders for:

* Childcare at the Women's Resource Center (WRC) - 5th Wednesday (when we have a 5th Wednesday) and 3rd Saturday of each month

* North County Food Bank - 1st-3rd Thursday of each month

* Meals at Merle's Place - 3rd Monday of each month

* Oak Park Branch Library - Wants to start a homework helpers project so looking for team leaders to get started

If you are interested in becoming a Team Leader for any of the above projects (or have an idea for a new project you would like to lead), please email Debbie (dkrakauer@volunteersandiego.org) or call her at (858) 636-4184.

If you live in South County and are interested in being a Team Leader, especially for Homework Helper projects, please contact Leia (lcourchaine@volunteersandiego.org) or call her at (858) 636-4139. We are currently trying to start Homework Helper projects in South County and need your help to make it happen.

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Hot Projects

These Hot Projects are in need of your help. In case you can't help this time, share this message with someone who may be able to give a hand.

For Valentine's Day, Resolve to Save a Heart!
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross is asking for volunteer help with its annual CPR Saturday schedule for March 14 at Golden hall. On that date, thousands of San Diegans will earn FREE adult CPR certifications, but help is also needed the day before and the following Monday for event set-up and disassembly. The best present you could give on Valentine's Day is a decision to volunteer for CPR Saturday, now a San Diego tradition. Help those who are teaching others how to save hearts and lives. For more information, click here.

Weed Whackin' Saturdays
Survivors of the 2007 Wildfires need your help! Volunteer San Diego is seeking community volunteers to help provide brush management services for fire survivors in need. With assistance from local fire recovery centers and partner organizations, teams of volunteers will be able to provide these services at no cost to fire survivors who are either senior citizens, physically unable, low-income, under-insured or challenged by special circumstances. Sign up now! No experience necessary - we provide the training!

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Volunteering Is Good For My Waistline and Budget

I have just returned from the lunch service at St. Vincent de Paul as a part of VSD's "Feed the Homeless" Flex project. My friend, Judy Larkins, has been the volunteer leader for this project for the last five years. I was excited to see Judy and get a little volunteer time in as well. Judy & I did have a quick minute to catch up, but then we got very, very busy serving lunch to hundreds of people. People interested in participating in fast-paced volunteering should definitely check out a future "Feed the Homeless" project, as part of Flex or the upcoming Hands On San Diego event. The kitchen staff and veteran volunteers do an excellent job organizing incredible amounts of food. Before I knew it, the last tray had gone through the line and two hours of volunteering had flown by me. Judy warned me that I'd be tired today and she was right.

I had initially planned to buy myself a little lunch after volunteering. I realized after serving several hundred homeless people that spending money on a lunch out was somewhat of a wasteful thing to do. Instead of spending money on fatty food in a restaurant, I made a simple meal for myself with the food I already had at home. I'll put a little extra money in the philanthropy budget this month and enjoy the pride in knowing that my volunteer experience has left me in a better physical, emotional, and financial state.

Anna Schulz is a member of the flex program and a volunteer blogger for Volunteer San Diego. She also writes for her family blog, The Full Catastrophe.

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Where the Girls Are

The "Giving Gardeners at Ronald McDonald House" project takes place each month offering light gardening as well as a chance to chitchat with other volunteers. When I participated on July 26th, our group consisted of seven fabulous females who spruced up the entry and courtyard garden areas. While we pruned, weeded, planted, mulched, and watered, some of families of the Ronald McDonald House complimented us on our efforts and thanked us for volunteering. Just an hour and a half of volunteering, first thing on Saturday...what a great way to kick-off my weekend!

Volunteers Lara Groutt, Diane Green, and Lauren Payne on the job at the Ronald McDonald House.

Anna Schulz is a member of the flex program and a volunteer blogger for Volunteer San Diego. She also writes for her family blog, The Full Catastrophe.

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