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2023

Annual Report

HandsOn Central California

1625 E Shaw Ave Suite 160 Fresno, CA

559-237-3101

handsoncentralcal.org

mission

Our mission is to support an inspired network of passionate people and powerful causes to make meaningful change in the community.

HandsOn Central California has been a leader in the development, implementation, deployment, and sustainability of volunteer initiatives in the Central Valley for 72 years. Our robust portfolio includes managing volunteer programs, training, events, and initiatives across Merced, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties.

We strive to promote volunteerism and get people involved in their communities. We are able to do this through partnerships with other organizations, working together to bring about long-lasting change in our communities.

the volunteer people Since 1951

Our programs

AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Court Referral Community Service Program

AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP)

HandsOn @ Work

Heartland Compass

Sustainability Project

Fresno Street Saints

Programs highlights

AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP is a federally funded national volunteer service program for individuals 55 years of age or better. This program is designed to leverage the time, talents, skills, and experience of older volunteers to impact critical community needs. RSVP volunteers provide critical support to help agencies expand their services so that they can serve more people. RSVP volunteers help support nonprofit organizations that fill the gaps in services to the community such as food banks.

AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP)

The AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project connects AmeriCorps members with organizations looking to build volunteer capacity. VIP is designed for non-profits, schools, and government agencies that recognize the value of leveraging volunteers to increase capacity. AmeriCorps VIP members support and develop volunteer engagement strategies; recruitment practices, onboarding, training, and appreciation opportunities that help establish strong volunteer programs. In 2023, the program engaged 10 energetic and skilled AmeriCorps members that supported Central California non-profits.

Court Referral Community Service Program

The Court Referral Program provides services for Central Valley residents who are assigned community service by the court or probation. The program provides placement, follow-up, monitoring, and reports on offenders to the appropriate jurisdiction. The court referral program provides face-to-face interviews to determine volunteer skills, availability, and capacity. Volunteers are matched to local non-profit organizations to do a variety of tasks. These volunteers enable agencies increase their capacity and have greater impact. The program allows volunteers get involved with the community in a constructive way that benefits both the offender and the community.

handson @ work

HandsOn@Work allows for Civic and Community-minded businesses to participate in meaningful opportunities to serve. HandsOn provides opportunities to support, serve and network with organizations that relay on volunteers as they impact lives. Through HandsOn@Work, HandsOn Central California prepares, coordinates, and executes all aspects of planned serve projects. HandsOn guides businesses of all sizes through the often-unfamiliar territory of volunteer service project planning. Drawing on our network of agency partnerships and planning expertise to provide robust volunteer experiences for businesses and their employees.

Heartland Compass

Heartland Compass partners with employers by providing confidential and personalized services to their employees and family members as they navigate the twists and turns of life. Heartland Compass provides Resource Navigators for employees to establish an action plan and connections to community resources that address their needs. Resource Navigators provide guidance and support to address barriers employees may be experiencing and walk alongside them to a path to success.

Sustainability Project

HandsOn, First5 Merced and Central Valley Community Foundation are leading the way in organizational capacity building in Merced County. The Sustainability Project is a nine-month nonprofit capacity building program designed to support community benefit organizations at various life cycles. The project consists of dynamic monthly workshops, coaching and leadership development. Leveraging a research-based Sustainability curriculum paired with targeted onsite coaching and support, organizations learn how to think strategically about how to build internal capacity to pursue and secure resources that will address long-term organizational needs.

capacity building

Fresno Street Saints

In 2021 HandOn Central California became the Fiscal Sponsor for Fresno Street Saints (FSS), supporting with capacity building and organizational oversight.

The Mission: To restore Fresno to a safe and healthy community through empowered community leadership.

Fresno Street Saints programs & services:

Mentoring services for Fresno Unified youth struggling with academics, social & emotional challenges, and low attendance.
One on one check-ins and group mentoring to youth impacted by opioid and drug addiction, first-time low-level probation participants.
Youth Engagement Program focused on professional & personal development, and leadership skills.
Enrichment Programs at 4 Southwest Fresno apartment complexes. The enrichment programs offer a safe space for students to receive homework assistance, safe neighborhood navigation, hot/cold meals and snacks, arts/crafts, emotional check ins, and physical activities.

volunteer engagement

Simplified Handdrawn Volunteer Planting Trees

nearly 45 million Volunteer Hours Served

1.5 million Volunteers

15,000

youth Volunteers

community impact

retired senior volunteer program impact data

Food in box in cartoon style on white background. Food deliv

6,432,447 pounds of food distributed

64,635 bags of diapers distributed

BabySitter Babysitting Nanny Tutoring Teacher Tutor POC Kids

250 children receiving Tutoring

community partners

footprint

Mariposa

Stanislaus

Merced

Madera

Fresno

Tulare

Kings

We Serve 7 Counties Across Central California

financial snapshot

Total Revenue: $1,592,770

Expenditures: $1,507,702

Inside handson

staff

Carol Davies

Executive Director

Tish Valdez-Standley

AmeriCorps Senior (RSVP) Director

Elizabeth Gonzalez

Court Referral Program Manager

Elba Scherer

Engagement Coordinator

Arturo Eric Correa

AmeriCorps VIP Program Manager

Leah Fondse

AmeriCorps VIP Program Lead

Katie Pimentel

Bookkeeper

Alexandra Quiroz

Administrative & Court Referral

Program Assistant

Adrienne Dade

Accounting Clerk

board of directors

Maricela Ordonez

Board Member

Director of Fiscal Services

Central Unified School District

Kaden Ferretti

Board Secretary

Founder/President - Kases for Kids

Retired Law Enforcement

Cliff Hall

Board Member

Financial Advisor, Principal Securities

Tony Reyes

President-Elect

Accountant - SJV Air Quality

Control Board

Scott Uyesaka

Board President

Retired, Internal Revenue Service

Stephen Morris, PhD

Board Member

Civic Education Center

Kendra Devejian

Board Member

Chief Executive Officer - Heartland Compass

Lynisha Senegal

Board Member

Executive Director - Helping Others Pursue Excellence

Raegen Foreman

Board Member

Labor & Safety Compliance - Terra West Construction

A word from the executive director

HandsOn Central California believes that the most powerful force of change in our world is the individual – one who makes a positive difference. The value of individual actions, no matter how small, can have an impact and change a life. Together, our collective actions are a force that transforms the world.

We live in extraordinary times. The 21st century has already seen sweeping change led by the power of people. The advancement of technology accelerates our experiences. Yet, the challenges facing our world are great and complex.

We are witnessing a significant shift in our civic culture, a revolution against apathy, marked by events, and movements that have altered the way we connect with and engage in our communities and in our world. But what does this connection and engagement look like? How will you make your mark on the world?

HandsOn Central California jumped in to 2023 with resiliency, drive, and energy. After navigating through the pandemic, we have experienced moments of normalcy – a return to face-to-face engagement, financial stability and growth, hosting convenings of stakeholders and development of transformational partnerships. Embracing the Civic Circle framework through Points of Light, our efforts and emphasis are directed on representing a person’s power to lead, lend support, and take action for causes they care about, and to lead a civic life. Our new mission - to support an inspired network of passionate people and powerful causes to make meaningful change in the community - helps people, nonprofits and businesses address the challenges and opportunities that exist in our communities, and collectively move the needle for issues they care about. The result has been clear outcomes on how the deepest impact is made when communities lead the way.

What am I most excited about? I am excited about how we see civic engagement create impacts beyond the individual. And I am excited about how HandsOn Central California can continue to play a bigger systems change role in rethinking civic engagement and volunteering and the supports that underpin in it the Central Valley.

While change can and does bring challenges, it can also bring opportunities and growth. Built on a solid foundation of support, respect, resilience, and teamwork, I am excited and optimistic about the work HandsOn has ahead. We are inspired by our collaboration with companies, nonprofit organizations, and everyday people, all living examples of the difference we can make when we work together. Looking back, by placing the power of changes in the hands of each and every individual, we are seeing real change.

With appreciation,

Carol Smith Davies, MPA

Executive Director