BUILDING A CULTURE OF VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE IN ULSTER COUNTY
UlsterCorps is a countywide resource dedicated to fostering a culture of volunteerism, collaboration and service. Our mission is to increase the use of volunteers, facilitate successful and effective volunteer placements, and build collaborations among nonprofit organizations and with businesses interested in community involvement throughout Ulster County.
Why UlsterCorps? In early 2009, a small group of committed volunteers launched UlsterCorps to bring other volunteers together with the organizations in Ulster County that rely on their help. Since its inception UlsterCorps has connected thousands of people with dozens of Ulster County agencies that provide food, clothing, shelter, emergency services, literacy training, child and elder care, animal welfare, and more to the area’s most vulnerable residents. UlsterCorps has become a vital, collaboration-building resource for nonprofit agencies, civic and religious organizations, businesses, schools, government and volunteers of all ages.
Volunteerism is central to sustaining healthy, resilient communities, and UlsterCorps volunteers offer diverse talents, availability, interests, and abilities. Through its comprehensive website www.UlsterCorps.org, volunteers can choose from a wide range of opportunities to serve the needs of others, from one-time events to ongoing commitments that meet their abilities, interests and time availability. Volunteers can also register online for e-newsletters and Action Alerts that notify them of timely events in need of community support. Nonprofit agencies and other engaged groups can find information about collaborative initiatives on our website.
Since 2009, UlsterCorps volunteers have:
- Harvested and delivered over 20,000lbs of fresh fruit and vegetables to local food pantries and soup kitchens;
- Collected and distributed new or gently used coats, suits, hats, mittens, holiday gifts and other agency wish list items for those in need in our community;
- Hosted an annual Service Summit for representatives from nonprofit, business, higher education, and government to address current issues and volunteerism in Ulster County;
- Matched hundreds of volunteers with service opportunities during National Days of Service, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., and throughout the year;
- Created an Online Database of 100+ agencies and their needs so volunteers can easily learn about available opportunities and how to connect with them;
- Worked with students of all ages to assist them in career development and increase civic leadership knowledge through student associate board membership and youth service days.
UlsterCorps also initiates and supports creative collaborations that seek to educate, inspire, and explore causes and solutions to some of the challenges facing our community including:
- Working with the Mid-Hudson Coalition to End Hunger and Ulster County BOCES New Visions Health Career Explorations high school seniors to address the issues of hunger and develop a comprehensive “blueprint” that illustrates how to make adequate, nutritious food accessible every day, for every man, woman, and child in Ulster County;
- Arts for Ulster, raising funds and awareness for local non-profits through a collaborative group art exhibit and auction featuring 50 works by 50 artists for 50 causes in Ulster County;
- Harvesting a Lifetime, interviewing and recording the memories, stories, and histories of over 70 seniors (and growing) from around the county;
- The Hudson Valley Hunger Banquet, which brings the world’s food inequalities to life and provides participants a firsthand experience how our decisions affect others in the world;
- Monthly Serve Together events highlighting volunteer opportunities in the community that family and friends can do together.
To learn more, please visit www.ulstercorps.org or contact us at 845-481-0331.
