HOW CAN I HELP?

 

If you are interested in participating in one or more of these activities, or you have new ideas of how you'd like to help, please fill out the form below to let us know!

In conjunction with the Butler County Holiday Collaborative Project, SELF hosts an Adopt-a-Family program for its existing clients who have a self-sufficiency plan.  The Collaborative ensures that each program participant is only seeking holiday assistance from one organization, rather than multiple. 

SELF relies on businesses, groups and volunteers to 1) Sponsor a low-income individual, child(ren) or family; 2) Assist SELF staff in purchasing items on wish lists with funds donated from the community for this program; and 3) Wrap, label and distribute gifts.

SELF’s Annual Reach for the Stars Dinner is the agency’s largest fundraising event of the year.  In 2010, more than 160 people were in attendance and helped raise crucial funds to support SELF’s various self-sufficiency programs.

Volunteer committee members assist SELF staff with invites, aid in securing corporate sponsorships and donations for the live and silent auctions and raffle baskets, decorations, setup, production and cleanup.  Any interested individuals and group representatives with some fundraising experience or an interest in fundraising are encouraged to join.

SELF sends three direct mail pieces a year to generate funding for the agency. 

Volunteers assist staff with affixing address and return labels and stuffing the envelopes with a personal letter and other mail pieces. 

The Resource Development Committee is always looking for new members who are passionate about philanthropy, dedicated to making a difference locally and who like fundraising!  This committee is responsible for planning fundraising and friendraising events throughout the year such as the annual donor & volunteer appreciation reception and annual awards dinner & auction.  The committee also assists SELF in securing donations and sponsorships for events, recruiting volunteers and brainstorming new ways to spread agency awareness and raise funds. 

The resource development committee meets the second Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m., alternating between SELF’s Hamilton office and the Greater Cincinnati United Way in Middletown.

Weatherization Kits are distributed to clients working with SELF’s self-sufficiency programs and Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) clients to “weather-proof” their homes against the winter cold and summer heat.  Weatherizing helps keep utility bills down by reducing air and heat leaks.

Volunteers collect weather-stripping for doors and windows, plastic window insulator covers and caulk to seal cracks in walls.  Other items, such as high efficiency light bulbs, could be added in order to reduce clients’ utility bills.

Welcome Home Kits are created for our homeless clients and those in SELF’s programs who are in the process of obtaining permanent housing.

Volunteers create these kits by filling a laundry basket with household items.  This kit could include basic household items such as kitchen towels, dish soap, bath towels and face cloths, toothpaste, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, etc.

SELF is a co-sponsor for a home repair camp through the Group Workcamps Foundation.  The camp will be coming to Middletown July 10-16, 2011.  The repair project’s success depends on its volunteers.  There are many opportunities for involvement in different committees including: site identification, fundraising, volunteer & hospitality and materials.  Meetings are generally every other month for through April and begin monthly in March.