Volunteers in Service Vis

“A draft copy of form 990 was provided to all board members prior to being filed.”

“The board of directors establish the executive directors' compensation after deliberations at the board of directors meetings and comparison to prior compensation packages.”

“The board of directors annually establishes all compensation for all employees.”

“Readily available upon request.”

“Volunteers are a vital part of our ministry in many ways: board of directors: the purpose of the board of directors is to provide ministry goals and methods needed to help volunteers in service effectively fulfill its mission statement. The board meets bi-monthly with additional sub-committee meetings. Overall, volunteers in service connected 1,126 church and school volunteers in 2024. Please refer to the program service accomplishments on schedule o for detailed information.”

“Connecting ministry: in 2024, volunteers in service (vis) received 1,455 requests for service in the areas of transportation, service projects, benevolence and social support. This was up 32% from 2023. Vis connected volunteers from christian churches and schools with 1,219 opportunities to serve (up 55% from 2023). These volunteers met 1,104 needs in the community (up 56% from 2023) and served 397 commmunity members (unduplicated). 1,126 volunteers representing 76 different christian churches and schools across multiple denominations in kent county connected witih these opportunities to serve and witnessed christ's love. The two largest types of support provided were in the areas of transportation and service projects. Transportation support: transportation to medical, mental health, and dental appointments and for food related needs (to grocery stores and local food pantries) continued to be the most requested service of vis. In 2024, vis conected volunteers with 935 opportunities to provide community members with rides (up 51% from 2023). For many community members, vis provided access to medical care they might otherwise not have received. Vis is unique in that we are the only free service in the county that provides rides to medical procedures that require a patient sitter, meaning the volunteer is required by the health care provider to stay in the waiting room throughout the procedure, often taking as 3 to 4+ hours. Vis has found that providing transportation to community members offers unique opportunities for relationship building and witnessing christ's love as the volunteer and community member sit shoulder-to-shoulder in the vehicle, sharing their stories, joys, and struggles, often praying with and for each other. Service projects: in 2024, vis received requests for help with 321 service projects (up 56% from 2023). These service projects included assistance with yard work, small interior and exterior home repair projects, organizing, packing/unpackig and more. Many of these opportunities were connected with groups of volunteers from local christian churches and schools. 26 service project groups volunteered 4,303 hours in 2024 working on larger scale projects such as local agency clean-up, more extensive yard work, alley clean up, larger painting projects and small construction projects such as building a raised garden or repairing a deck. Vis experienced a 44% increase in the number of groups that served in 2024 compared to the year prior. While service projects are typically completed in 1-2 days, volunteers are encouraged to spend time with and build relationships with those they are serving. In this way, they are making a difference through the work they do as they share joy, encouragement, and hope in the name of god. Coaching and training ministry: in 2024, volunteers in service reignited their coaching and training ministries after a multi-year pause due to covid. Vis hosted two deacon trainings in the fall of 2024 in which 15 church deacons registed to attend, representing 11 different churches in kent county. Deacon training focuses on the ministry of justice and mercy in the church and trains deacons to lead through service as they build god's kingdom. In addition, vis led a three evening benevolence training in 2024, in which 14 individuals from 10 churches registered to attend. Benevolence training focuses on the biblical foundation of benevolence, understanding the person and circumstances of care receivers, and practicing postures of response that lead with compassion, knowledge, and processes that witness christ's love. The coaching and training ministires of vis equip church leaders as they mobilize god's people for works of service so that christ's love can be witnessed in our community and christians can be empowered to join christ where he is already working to build his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.”