Floricane

Grow + Give

Chamber Program Adopts Freedom House By John Sarvay | July 27, 2011

For a second year running, the Greater Richmond Chamber’s HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage) program has adopted a nonprofit organization in the area. The idea is to invest a year of time, energy and attention on the part of the hundreds of young professionals involved with HYPE to have a real impact on a single nonprofit. Last year, HYPE adopted the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

This year, HYPE has chosen Freedom House, which fights one of the best battles against homelessness on many levels as any organization in the region.

The Freedom House has been around for what feels like forever – or, since 1983 – and is one of those organizations that makes an important difference in the lives of one of the most invisible, downtrodden segments of our community. As a key pillar in the efforts to reduce, and ultimately end, homelessness in our region, Freedom House really stands to benefit from this partnership.

On the flip side, I think it’s going to be a real eye opener for some of Richmond’s young professionals as they begin to invest in this volunteer effort. Ultimately, a positive eye opener.

Here are the details on how HYPE will be engaged with Freedom House:

The HYPE Adopt an Organization initiative is a year-long program giving young professionals (YPs) the opportunity to gain a deeper level of volunteer engagement in non-profit and charity organizations in the Greater Richmond community. For the upcoming 2011- 2012 program year, HYPE is committed to helping Freedom House by contributing YP volunteers to assist with:

• Mentorship and professional development of the Freedom House Junior Board
• Training in interviewing and work preparedness along with other workshops for Freedom House transitional living residents
• Marketing and promotion of Freedom House events to a larger audience
• Volunteers for Freedom House programs and events

The HYPE Community Outreach Team will manage the process and relationships associated with the Adopt an Organization initiative. These volunteers will work closely with Freedom House to set and meet measurable goals and support HYPE’s young professional network with their civic interests. The team chose to work with Freedom House based on the organization’s newly developed Junior Board, which allows HYPE participants to provide leadership development and mentoring to dedicated, socially conscious, motivated middle and high school students.

---

---

Next entry: Cross Pollinate, Social Media Expert Says

---

Previous entry: Creators Defining the Community

---