Celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month

Recognizing the Impactful Work of Uplift’s Volunteers

Taryn Placko was inspired to join Uplift from its earliest days. She quickly realized its potential to change the lives of women and children facing crisis throughout the country. With a background in healthcare, fundraising and communications, Taryn’s experience and knowledge was incredibly helpful in Uplift’s official launch in 2022.

“I chose to volunteer with Uplift’s fundraising efforts because it was the first time I’d seen an organization that promises immediate impact for women in crisis,” she said.

She immediately understood Uplift’s possibilities, and knew when our community of women came together, the potential was limitless.

“I was drawn to the mission, inspired by the unique agile-giving model, and confident in the vision– big yet achievable, thanks to the expertise of an all-female, diverse board of directors, and multigenerational council members.”

It’s women like Taryn who make our volunteer network so powerful. Her professional background guided Uplift from the start, but it’s the gift of her time and efforts that has a lasting impact.

Simply put, Uplift’s mission wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of all our volunteers. They keep our system running and are the reason so many of our grant recipients can receive the assistance they need.

From our Board of Directors, to all our fundraising efforts, Uplift’s leadership is comprised of a diverse team of volunteers. Our female-led team comes from all over the United States and directly represents the range of women we aim to uplift in all our efforts.

The women that make up every level of our leadership dedicate their free time to supporting Uplift’s mission. It’s a selfless act, and we cannot thank them enough for it.

Marline Pagan, for example, is our Board of Directors Treasurer, and feels the powerful effect serving in this position has had on her.

“As someone who’s worked in the nonprofit space for years, I’ve seen how much impact is possible when women come together to support and uplift one another. I wanted to be a part of that–not just as a professional, but as a woman who cares about creating space for others to thrive.”

Every volunteer at Uplift can have the same experience as Marline and Taryn, no matter the level of experience or availability.

Our Strategic Advisory Council, for example, is composed of industry leaders whose incomparable experience has significantly impacted the growth and success of all Uplift’s accomplishments.

Uplift’s NextGen Advisory Council is a team of volunteers, aged 18-24, who help spread our message to younger communities across the country. Their emerging leadership and volunteerism enhances Uplift’s strategic efforts and amplifies the growing needs of their generation.

Lastly, our Girls2Women Advisory Council is a group of middle and high school volunteers who dedicate their free time to help women and children facing crisis. Their efforts, especially at such a young age, are powerful and represent the importance of connecting Uplift to smaller communities throughout the country.

These are just some examples of the significant impact volunteerism has on Uplift’s ability to help women and children facing crisis. But, the importance of volunteering and celebrating those who volunteer goes far beyond Uplift and our team. The possibilities to aid communities across our country are endless, and can have a significant impact.

According to AmeriCorps, the United State’s federal agency responsible for advocacy and volunteerism, our country is experiencing the largest growth in volunteering ever recorded in our country. Their research shows that in our post-pandemic world, Americans increased the rate of volunteering through a formal organization by 22%. AmeriCorps president, Michel D. Smith believes this is a sign for the positive impact organized volunteering will have on our country moving forward.

“By focusing on impact rather than just counting hours of service, we are closing the gap between those in need and the support they deserve,” he said. “This data reflects the unwavering spirit of Americans coming together to uplift their communities, ensuring that everyone feels the transformative power of service.”

The action Smith described is exactly the kind of service Uplift and its volunteers hope to provide for underserved communities across the country. It’s not about the time or hours spent, but rather the service and impact that matters.

For Taryn, Marline, and so many others in our volunteer community, the shared value of supporting women throughout the country amplifies a community that inspires change. At Uplift, it’s our volunteers who make that change possible.

We’re always looking to expand our community and increase efforts to aid women and children facing crises in the United States. If you are interested in volunteering for Uplift, you can complete our online application here. We hope you are ready and willing to support our mission.