OUTSTANDING CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP AWARD NOMINEE Q&A

GrandInvolve
Nonprofit Nominee

1. What is your mission and vision?
Mission - GrandInvolve’s Mission is to support the education of our most vulnerable populations, reduce ageism by growing intergenerational relationships between our youngest and oldest community members and to increase intercultural understanding. 

​Vision - GrandInvolve volunteers help connect the community to local schools by providing tutors and much-needed support to school activities.  This helps community members, parents and families get more involved in the school.
 
2. How does your organization achieve its mission?
The GrandInvolve Program brings older adults into Fairfax County’s Title 1 Elementary Schools to volunteer in individual classrooms, offering their skills and talents to work directly with students.  Their presence in the schools serves to connect the community and local schools, strengthening the bonds of the oldest and youngest community members, and supporting the education of our most vulnerable populations.
 
3. How have your programs directly impacted the regional community?
GrandInvolve has over 100 volunteers in 16 Title 1 Schools in Fairfax County.  Title 1 schools have a population in which 40% or more are economically disadvantaged and in Fairfax County, these schools always have a very high percentage of children who do not speak English at home with the majority of these children speaking Spanish.  They have many students who struggle academically and yet historically, these schools have very few volunteers.  GrandInvolve has been able to supply tutoring volunteers to these schools. 
 
4. What inspires or drives your team to stay committed to your mission?
Our volunteers report that the look on a child’s face when they finally understand a math concept that the teacher has been teaching all week is worth all their time and effort.  The bonds that they form with the children gives them a sense of purpose and the stories they tell us are both heartwarming and frequently hilarious. 

5. What advice would you give to other nonprofits trying to make an impact in their community?
Review the talents of your volunteers and use their experience and knowledge.  Volunteers want to leave a legacy of good works and are committed to their community.  It’s not about stuffing envelopes but making a difference in the lives of one child – one family – one community.