Volunteering Nourishes Your Community and Your Soul

Written by Linda Harvey

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of others as a Together We Bake volunteer. Giving back can be a rewarding experience for you!

In honor of National Volunteer Month, Together We Bake would like to recognize and thank our dedicated volunteers who donate their time and unique skills to support our program. We appreciate them and all volunteers who make a positive difference in the world!

We encourage you to seek out volunteer opportunities, whether it is with Together We Bake or other nonprofits in our community. Joining other volunteers for a common cause benefits not just the organization and those you serve but also your own well-being.   

Our Volunteers Help Women Build Brighter Futures 

Together We Bake volunteers have a direct impact on our mission, helping to prepare program participants for quality jobs that offer not just employment but pathways to opportunity, growth, and family-sustaining wages, and ultimately, brighter futures for themselves.

These volunteers have a passionate belief in our mission and in their work with staff and Team Members who are going through the Together We Bake program. No matter their role, our volunteers are an integral part of the program and its success. 

Some volunteers such as job counselors commit to weekly volunteering over the course of a session. Other volunteers such as guest bakers, yoga instructors, writers, or photographers share their expertise for specific opportunities throughout each session. (See more details below.)

Everybody Wins — The Benefits of Volunteering 

Our volunteers focus on helping Team Members and the program in several distinct areas, and they all can experience the benefits of volunteering. Experts in psychology agree on the intrinsic rewards of giving back, especially if you find a cause you believe in and one that matches your skills and interests. 

Engaging in acts of kindness and generosity contribute to feelings of joy and fulfillment, according to experts. Volunteering at a nonprofit takes it one step further by deepening your understanding of the world around you and by inspiring you to address social and economic needs in your community.

By giving back, volunteers impact their own lives in many beneficial and rewarding ways. Our volunteers have the opportunity to:

• broaden their perspective about others; 
• form connections with Team Members, staff, and other volunteers;
• gain a sense of belonging and purpose;
• boost their own skills and confidence; and 
• feel the positive power of the Together We Bake community. 

Our volunteers have shared thoughts on why their time volunteering means so much to them and how it has affected them. Their heartfelt feedback reflects what National Volunteer Month is all about!

“Any work that helps someone else, whether it is paid or not, is good for the community and good for one's soul. By volunteering I learn new skills and connect with people I would not have otherwise met...And there's that dopamine rush you get when you help someone out.” 

 – Jane, a volunteer makeup artist for professional headshots

 

“TWB is transformational for the women, which makes the volunteer experience intense and rewarding. Never did I expect to learn so much and have so much fun teaching negotiation skills!”

– Pam, a volunteer instructor with Negotiation Works

 

“Selfishly, I leave [a volunteering opportunity] feeling better about myself. Like when I go to the gym. It's not something I can do all the time, but when I do, I feel so much better and stronger. That's what it's like to volunteer. Everyone wins. Small wins, big wins, but winning nonetheless. You feel like you're part of a mission and a team!”

– Carla, a makeup/hair volunteer for professional headshots

 

Why Volunteering Matters

The essence of volunteering is giving back to others for the greater good and to address social and economic issues. At Together We Bake, our staff and volunteers support women who are facing barriers to employment opportunities and provide them with professional and personal guidance.  

The work of our volunteers matters considerably and impacts Team Members each step along the way, whether it’s help with resume writing and interview preparation or leading a yoga class in a self-care lesson. These volunteers play an important role in how Team Members begin to transform themselves throughout a session, from first day uncertainty to confidence on graduation day when they are recognized for their progress and accomplishments. 

Volunteering can truly change a person’s life and give them hope. It can strengthen and enrich local communities, making a lasting impact on families, businesses, schools, and more.

As a volunteer, you can experience firsthand how giving your time and skills can boost the effectiveness of a nonprofit’s mission, and ultimately, make a difference and create change. Having a team of volunteers also allows a nonprofit to save on its resources and direct its funds to other needs. Whether it can be a weekly or monthly commitment or a flexible one-day volunteer opportunity, your help is always appreciated!

Our volunteers share why Together We Bake’s mission is important to them:

"I see how the women in the class are really seeking to learn and grow from difficult experiences in the past, and I am inspired by that, and hope that I can contribute to them building a strong and healthy next chapter of their lives.” 

– Kristen, a volunteer instructor with Negotiation Works

 

“...[Together We Bake's] mission of equipping women with the skills to help them succeed is so critical to them and our community, and the alumni community [Together We Bake] create[s] among the graduates is amazing. Keep up the great work!”

– Jane, a volunteer makeup artist for professional headshots

 

“Together We Bake's mission is close to my heart. We are a country built on equality and fairness, and I believe that after the participants of the program have served their time that they deserve to be treated like any citizen. The struggle is already so real for women in the world, and so serving women specifically who have an uphill battle will always be a passion of mine.”

– Carla, a makeup/hair volunteer for professional headshots

 

How to Volunteer with Together We Bake

We would love to have you as a volunteer at Together We Bake! We have several different opportunities and time commitments available.

• Job Counselors – Work one-on-one with a current Team Member to develop long-term goals related to employment. Help assess job readiness, build resumes, prepare for interviews, identify positions, and support the application process. You will receive training and have guidance from staff. Requires a weekly one-hour meeting on Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 p.m. with your assigned Team Member.
• Guest Bakers – Lead Team Members through a recipe from start to finish. Professional experience is not required. If you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share, please reach out. Previous recipes included handmade pizza, chicken pot pie, and cinnamon loaves.
• Makeup/Hair Services – Help Team Members get ready for professional headshots, interviews, and more.
• Yoga Instruction – Teach a yoga class to Team Members during a program session where they focus on self-care.
• Headshot Photography – Take professional headshots of our Team Members to use in the job search.
• Art, Music, & Poetry Classes – Create a meaningful therapeutic experience for Team Members.
• Community Service Internships for High Schoolers – Give back with an internship or volunteer for a senior year experience requirement.
• Corporate Team Opportunities –  Plan a corporate team-building outing by volunteering in our kitchen and fulfillment.
• Other Skill Sets – Let us know how you can help – we’re open to ideas. Examples include writing, marketing, event planning, and teaching.

You can check out our volunteer page for more details and how to connect with us: https://togetherwebake.org/pages/volunteer-with-twb