Make It a Vocation to Volunteer
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)September 29, 2008 by Staff
Volunteering is a positive way women can use their strengths for the good of others. California first lady Maria Shriver is one of many female leaders who have established volunteer programs in the country.
Her “WE” programs combine efforts of ladies all around California to contribute toward serious social issues. One tool to learn how to volunteer is californiavolunteers.org.
One of Shriver’s initiatives, called WE Build, encourages volunteers to build playgrounds for children in needy areas. “You can be an architect not only in your own life, but of a playground for kids and families who have nowhere to go,” Shriver told SUCCESS for Women. “The playgrounds are a physical reminder that people need to play at different times in our lives and that we don’t have to wait for government to build for us.”
The “WE” programs include more than 10 other programs. Here are a few of the efforts in place:
WE Connect strives to make working families more financially stable. One of the campaigns connects eligible families with the Earned Income Tax Credit, since about 600,000 families are eligible but have not applied. For more information, go to weconnect.net.
WE Include is a tool to empower intellectually disabled people to excel in the workforce. Shriver hopes to increase the numbers of intellectually disabled people in government. For more information, go to firstlady.ca.gov/projects/needs/.
WE Prepare provides resources for women to understand natural disasters and come up with safe plans. The initiative is geared specifically toward moms and how they can prepare their families for disaster. For more information, go to www.csc.ca.gov/familyplan/index.html.
WE Honor spotlights notable women who have made a difference in their community or world. Every year, five women are presented with the Minerva Award. For more information, go to firstlady.ca.gov/projects/minerva/.
WE Garden teaches children the importance of taking care of the environment. Shriver says every child in California should have a garden. For more information, go to firstlady.ca.gov/index.php/projects/school-gardens/.
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This is an incredible site!!
Sincere appreciation to all who took the time to specifically address the subject of women & success~Thank you!