Staying Involved From Home

Keeping Families Engaged with Nonprofits

By Audrie Jahnsen, ILHIGH Nonprofit Relations Intern

It’s summertime in a pandemic. The kids are out of school, the playground is closed, and the stay away camp was cancelled. Luckily, local nonprofit organizations are creating opportunities to keep families and kids actively involved in their missions through remote initiatives! We talked with Girls Empowerment Network, Austin Humane Society, and Marathon Kids to learn how they are keeping families connected.

Chelsea Dean-Martinez, Development Director at Girls Empowerment Network, wants to keep family volunteers involved during this time. “It is incredibly important to stay connected right now to remind ourselves that while we may be physically distant from others, we are not in this alone. At Girls Empowerment Network we know how hard this pandemic is affecting girls in particular. That is why we have pivoted our services to continue supporting girls safely through remote activities and virtual programs that help girls feel connected and empowered wherever they are.”

The team at Girls Empowerment Network has worked hard to create some encouraging initiatives to take part in. “Our newest program and product is called Spark Kits, which are kits that include our self-efficacy building curriculum in a self-guided activity journal, all activity materials needed, and virtual connection to girl experts through our Connectline, as well as other girls through our virtual groups. Each kit is hand decorated with positive affirmations and powerful quotes by volunteers! Additionally kits ordered in the Austin and Houston areas can be delivered safely by a volunteer! Lastly, each Spark Kit includes a mask, which is made by volunteers,” says Dean-Martinez.

Families are facing a unique challenge during this summer season. During a time when children are usually getting out in the community and participating in group activities, they are being encouraged to distance themselves. Nonprofit organizations know the values that family volunteers bring, and want to encourage participation. “Volunteerism and helping others is an empowering activity! Families volunteering together help show each member of that family that they have the ability to make a difference in their community and in the lives of others. We envision a world where all girls believe in their power, which includes the power to make a difference,” said Dean-Martinez.

Nonprofits have organized some creative at home volunteer activities that families can do together. Katie Kennedy, director of communications at Austin Humane Society, shared some of the ways families are staying involved with the shelter. “Currently, we are offering some virtual small group volunteer activities for adults and children. These activities may involve creating homemade dog and cat toys, handmade leashes, or handmade bedding,” says Kennedy, “A great way for kids to get involved is to become a Humane Hero! This is a special group for our animal lovers under the age of 14. We offer online Humane Hero activity worksheets and other ‘Humane at Home’ activities.”

During this time, it is important to stay connected with friends, family, and community in safe and responsible ways. Heidi Gollub, Chief Marketing Officer at Marathon Kids, shared how the nonprofit is encouraging families to exercise and spend time together. “We have two popular programs for families looking to spend some quality time together—and both are free! Walk and Talk provides kids with a mileage log and parents with a set of fun topics—one per mile—to help keep the conversational ball rolling. Run and Read steps it up a notch with a mileage and reading log that encourages kids to run 26.2 miles and read 26 books. We're happy that these programs inspire some great conversations, while getting families moving.”

Staying apart physically keeps you and others safe, but that does not mean we cannot emotionally connect and encourage one another. Be curious about ways you and your family can stay involved with the nonprofits who make such an important impact on our community.