Article

Embrace Volunteering

By: Cinnamon Roberts, President

When my husband, Rev. Kristopher Roberts and I began establishing our church, we knew that our spirit was not confined to the walls of our building, or even the people within our services. Our principles and spiritually rests within the active missions we embrace.

It was difficult at first to decide exactly what mission we would tackle. With so many problems in the world today, finding one goal to work towards seemed beyond our reach. We decided that we would pursue a cause that was not receiving attention within our community. Southeastern Arizona is very fortunate to have the support of so many organizations. It was our decision to not start another foundation competing with local resources, but to assist each and every cause within our community.

Starting with a basic platform of providing greater accessibility to organizations, our Community Resource Directory was born. This alone was not enough. I know as a Webmaster that many resources are unable to even consider an internet presence because of the cost involved. Most design firms charge upwards of $80.00 and hour for website construction, hardly an affordable alternative to non-profit organizations operating with limited funds. It seemed unfair to offer our Community Resource Directory since only organizations with larger operating budgets would be listed. Our mission began to take on a larger scope.

In the year 2000, ArizonaCommunity.com began to change the way non-profit organizations were accessed. We posted on a mailing list to find organizations needing website development. Within 48 hours three agencies were requesting assistance. Our mission was evolving.

People tell me that volunteering is a selfless act, I highly disagree. I have volunteered throughout my life for women's shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling centers, schools, libraries, and other fine organizations. There is nothing "selfless" about my endeavors. The growth I have obtained through my efforts, the wisdom I have achieved, and the friends I have made reassure my viewpoint.

As a firm believer in what you bring into the world comes back to you, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that volunteering is a gift you can give to yourself. The greatest gift has been working with ArizonaCommunity.com and our Web Angels.

I am the type of person who wants to change things for the better and make a difference. It has always been difficult for me to achieve my goals because there are so many. Feeling unfulfilled is not simple when you are helping people on a daily basis and yet I always felt I was not assisting to my full capacity. Spiritually I was unfulfilled helping a select population or embracing a single cause.

I am a dreamer and a realist at the same time. I have attended college while raising two children, volunteering for two agencies, and working at the same time. I never could do enough. I finally feel I have found my niche in this world. Each and everyday I add resources to our directory knowing that an individual in need of help can now access assistance. When I list a new organization, I realize that someone may find it and donate to their cause or volunteer for their efforts. In the Community Directory I volunteer for each and every agency indirectly in person, directly in spirit. My efforts assist the homeless, poor, illiterate, ill, elderly, youth, and so much more. There are no limitations to who my heart can reach.

The only solution to problems facing our community is to actively work towards a brighter tomorrow. ArizonaCommunity.com embraces this concept. We give technology the face of humanity and the soul of personal spirit. There are no stones unturned, no issues we don't assist, no causes we don't embrace.

Volunteering for ArizonaCommunity.com is a simple endeavor. Many opportunities involve access to a computer and the internet. Volunteers can select a cause they would like to help and only work in that area. Others can assist a broader scope. The possibilities are endless.