Who We Are > Volunteers
Imagine a world without Volunteers
The sick, those with disabilities, the lonely, the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the neglected, the abused, the young, the old--all without hope that someone, anyone, would care. No one to hold a hand, give a hug, hand out a hot meal, dry a tear, say a word of encouragement, teach a new skill, plant a tree.
Were it true, the world would indeed be a bleak and frightening place.
Thankfully, volunteers abound. Each carries forward an American way of life that began in the early days of this country. Today, volunteering is different from those first days when neighbors pitched in to build another neighbor's barn or nurse a friend back to health. But the spirit has never changed.
Volunteering is the spirit of care, concern, giving, hope, and yes, love--for others, the community, the country and the world. Volunteers have taken the hopes and dreams of others and empowered them with feet and hands and minds.
Determined to make a difference, if only a small one, people from all backgrounds have taken on projects as diverse as hospices, multi-services for people with disabilities, fundraising, counseling young children, nursing home and hospital visits, and many other wonderful projects.
CRIL is fortunate to count many special volunteers working tirelessly. They give up their own time so that other's lives may be enriched.
Currently CRIL is seeking volunteers to join our Board of Directors, help with various clerk tasks and event mailings, and run the front desk including answering phones. Persons interested should contact John Quinn, Program Director at 510-881-5743 or Karen Marshall or e-mail info@cril-online.org
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
- Dennis Flores
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Dennis Flores has been volunteering for CRIL since August 2007. He helps staff every week with copying and mailings, plus putting together client intake and outreach packets. He is dedicated, responsible and shy, but very friendly and has become part of CRIL’s “family.”
Dennis was born in Nicaragua with a disability that affects his ability to walk and stand. (He had to go through two operations when he was 12 to improve his ability to walk.) Dennis has lived in the East Bay for over 20 years now, attending Alameda County Public Schools in Hayward, Union City and Richmond. He now lives in Hayward with his mother, step father, sister and brother.
Before volunteering at CRIL Dennis worked at the Jelly Bean Restaurantin Union City but had to leave that job since his legs didn’t allow him to stand up for as long as the job required. When not volunteering at CRIL, he does chores around the family home, rides his bicycle around town and plays computer games. Dennis’s ambition is to learn more about how to fix and work with computers. In October, 2009, Dennis received the Heart of Hayward Volunteer Award for outstanding service to a local non-profit agency and the Hayward community. Congratulations, Dennis!