Greater DC Cares, a nonprofit organization and the region’s largest coordinator of volunteers, is piloting new community-generated volunteer projects in southern Ward 5/northern Ward 6 in the Trinidad and Rosedale communities. GDCC comprehensively mobilizes volunteers and strengthens nonprofits to better impact communities and key issues in the Greater DC Region. In Northeast DC, GDCC has a brand new initiative called the Neighborhood Empowerment Project. The project emphasizes the importance of being a great neighbor. The goal is to help support volunteers to lead projects in their own communities to empower residents to take charge of their neighborhood.
Read on to find out about several volunteer opportunities, from tutoring to tax preparation, and how to apply for a micro-grant before the November 15th application deadline.
In the coming year, Greater DC Cares is seeking to partner with nonprofits, community organizations, schools, churches and individual residents in Northeast, at this time, specifically in Trinidad and Rosedale. Their objective is to recruit volunteers to work in their own neighborhoods, and use micro-grants to fund initiatives and ideas generated by residents for projects to be implemented locally.
To get involved with the Neighborhood Empowerment Program:
- Visit GDCC online. Take a brief 15 minute orientation and check “Near Northeast” as an interest area in your volunteer profile.
- Go to a community meeting. Upcoming dates are below.
- Get in touch with the local coordinator, Andrea Sledd, at 202-777-4453 or asledd[at]greaterdccares[dot]org about volunteer opportunities in the area or with an idea for a new project.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities:
Ward 5 & 6 Community Meetings: Meet other residents, discuss local issues and plan projects to enrich your community.
Ward 5 Meeting: Monday, November 15th from 6:30pm-8pm at the Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center (1299 Neal Street NE attached to Wheatley EC)
Ward 6 Meeting: Tuesday, November 30th from 6:30pm-8pm at the former Gibbs Elementary School Auditorium (500 19th Street NE)
Greater DC Cares Now Accepting Applications for Micro-Grant Opportunities
Greater DC Cares’ Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative is focused on mobilizing the time, talent, and resources of residents in Wards 5 & 6 to strengthen communities. They are piloting a neighboring micro-grant initiative that will enable community residents to plan and execute a project that they feel is beneficial to their community. The purpose of this grant is to give community residents the power of real resources to make their visions of change a reality. Grantees may request up to $300 in their application. Applications are due by 5pm on Monday, November 15th. Have questions or want to request an application? Contact: Andrea Sledd at 202-777-4453 or asledd[at]greaterdccares[dot]org.
Application Eligibility:
- Grantees must apply as an individual, not as part of a nonprofit organization.
- Grantees must have reliable modes of communication with which to be in touch with Greater DC Cares.
- Grantees must have a commitment to their community.
- Grantees must reside in the community they wish to serve (either zip code 20019 or zip code 20002).
(Greater DC Cares reserves the right to accept or reject any application.)
GED Tutoring in Northeast
GED Tutoring Planning Meeting – Wednesday, November 17th from 7pm-8:30pm at the Trinidad Recreation Center at 1310 Childress Street. Interested? Contact: Andrea at 202-777-4453 or asledd[at]greaterdccares[dot]org.
Greater DC Cares is helping community members in Trinidad to create a volunteer-driven GED Tutoring Program at the Trinidad Recreation Center. Their objective is to help teenagers and adults in the community with GED preparation.
Free Tax Preparation Assistance
Interested in Volunteering? Contact: Christina at 443-262-6743 or cfnaguiat[at]gmail[dot]com.
Learn how to prepare an online tax return and how to help low and moderate income persons do their own tax return.
Help Teens Get Into College
Volunteers assist on an as-needed basis based on the volunteer’s schedule. Contact: Andrea at 202-777-4453 or asledd[at]greaterdccares[dot]org.
Volunteers will help youth looking for assistance with college applications and FAFSA forms.
Looking for a Volunteer Leader Interested in Gardening
Interested? Contact: Andrea at 202-777-4453 or asledd[at]greaterdccares[dot]org.
Greater DC Cares is looking to put on a workshop about how to grow plants and vegetables indoors and outdoors. If you have any interest in helping to set up the workshop or would like to help facilitate it, contact Andrea. Materials will be provided.
Santa’s Secret Workshop
Interested? Contact: Zenobia Moton at 202-442-9262.
GDCC needs donations of craft items and/or small gifts for adults to help kids at the Joseph H. Cole Community Center give a gift to their parents this holiday season.