How To Be A GREAT Volunteer

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)

The greatest posture: “Today you, tomorrow me”

Material possessions are uncertain, and our status in life can be altered quickly. Sometimes things just happen. When the worst happens to us, we might not be comforted by what we own, but we can be comforted by those we’ve helped before. Knowing that hardship could happen to any of us changes the lens that we view others through.

I once read the story of a man who received help with a roadside tire-change, and his helper refused money for the service, reasoning: “Today you, tomorrow me.” Compassion is key, since we never know what hardship others are experiencing, and can’t guarantee we won’t be in need ourselves someday.

Maintain a posture of humility over entitlement and compassion over judgment, knowing that material blessings are uncertain.

If we knew we would need help tomorrow, how would we help others today?

The greatest practice: our gifts are for good works

The Bible explains that the gifts God gives are intended to be used to help others. That moral guidance, found in 1 Timothy 6:18, should guide our hearts to generosity! We should be willing to give to see others receive help they need, and to give it with a sense of joy.

Volunteer as a practice of goodness, representing the heart of God and the organization where you’re volunteering.

We can’t always donate money, so donating time can be a wonderful gift to local nonprofits who offer services to your community. Giving even one evening a month creates impact, and the effect it has on you personally is practice that develops goodness in our world and our hearts.

Spending time developing goodness is not the only benefit to volunteering:

The greatest payment: serving others provides rewards

1 Timothy 6:19 refers to the eternal value of doing good for others- that our treasure might be stored up in the true life, the eternal life. Doing good creates eternal impact! Serving those God loves bonds us together and forges strong relationships, which is the essence of community.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Loving God and His people by volunteering can teach you about your neighbors, your community, and yourself. Doing good for others can help us correct our harmful postures toward others, practice and develop goodness, and earn us the rewards of unified community in the love of the Lord.

Volunteers are paid in experience- show up ready to learn about others and yourself!

Comment below: when did you last receive help that you really needed?

The 100 Homes Initiative

Community organizing is at the heart of place-based nonprofit work. Collectively working towards common goals requires planning, and research into beneficial models of approach improves our expectations and outcomes.

Community Organizing in Theory

To understand community organizing and development, we look to sociologist Jack Rothman's models for guidance. Two of his models– Locality Development and Social Action– offer a framework we embrace:

Locality Development encourages community participation and builds stronger relationships, a deeper sense of community identity, and belonging. Methods in this model engage collective problem-solving, empowering of local leaders, self-help, and educational objectives.
Social Action focuses on organizing disadvantaged communities to advocate for themselves– mobilizing the community to challenge systems of inequality. This approach can organize communities around common goals and deliver changes in unfair power structures or policies.

Community Organizing in Practice

Through the "100 Homes" program, our team visits monthly with neighbors while performing short surveys to ensure community voices are heard. The data that comes from these surveys becomes pivotal in shaping our work! Our ‘visit and survey’ approach embodies Rothman’s Locality Development, promoting democratic engagement, fostering self-help, and nurturing local leadership through the direct and consistent community involvement of our team.

This program also activates Social Action by addressing systemic inequalities that often marginalize voices. Through intentional conversation and a congregation of community insights, “100 Homes” empowers residents to demand and enact change, redistributing power to ensure that decisions reflect the community's needs and aspirations.

The visit and survey approach creates community development and social action, advocating for justice and equity within the structures that impact our neighbors' lives.

Community-Driven Outcomes

The South Dallas Community Market is a direct outcome of this approach. The Market emerged from the community's expressed desire for accessible, healthy food options. This outcome showcases an emphasis on community-led planning and implementation and reflects goals of redistributing resources and ensuring equitable access to necessities– a demonstration of the value of Locality Development and Social Action. A collaboration with Brother Bill's Helping Hand, the South Dallas Community Market is a testament to the power of community-led decision-making. Providing $1.2 million in in-kind groceries in its first year, the Market has become a beacon of access, engagement, and empowerment– the profound result of entrusting the community with the authority to shape their environment.

Creating Structure for Growth

As we expand the "100 Homes" program, we embrace Locality Development and Social Action, working to amplify community voices across broader platforms and organizations. This collaborative approach to expansion is guided by the belief that systemic change is achievable when communities are empowered to lead the conversation. Our commitment remains to grow and adapt this program based on the direction and goals set by our neighbors, to embody the principle of "nothing about them without them."

The "100 Homes" program represents a pioneering integration of locality development and social action, revealing the power of community-driven initiatives supported by strategic, macro-level engagement. By understanding and applying Rothman's models, we can all contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities where every voice is heard and valued.

We invite service providers, philanthropists, and community advocates to join us in this innovative approach to community engagement. We are eager and willing to share the process and principles behind 100 Homes to any organization that would like to implement this type of engagement in their work!

How to be a GREAT volunteer!