Meet Rolanda Logan, YMOW volunteer coordinator
Rolanda Logan stepped into the role of YMOW Volunteer Coordinator in January 2019. Since then, she’s seen the number of people willing to offer their time to YMOW grow. And she has big plans to involve even more people in the YMOW mission to provide food, friendly visits and other services to the homebound residents of Ypsilanti.
What do you enjoy most about your job as volunteer coordinator?
One of the things I enjoy most is connecting caring and kind individuals in the community with our seniors. I manage 150-plus volunteers and they all share unique stories about why volunteering at Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels is a great experience for them. Many of our seniors face social isolation and our volunteers make a huge difference in their lives by greeting them with a smile, getting to know them, and delivering their meals.
One volunteer recently shared with me that he enjoys delivering meals because he can see firsthand the impact his volunteer hours have.
“What I do supports their decisions to remain in their homes, despite the challenges they face every day,” he said.
What one thing do you want people to know about volunteering at YMOW?
Giving an hour of your time can make the difference in the life of a senior in your local community. Volunteering with YMOW is a rewarding experience for both the volunteer and client because, in addition to delivering vital nutrition, friendships are built and lives are changed.
YMOW volunteers really do deliver more than a meal. They deliver a daily reminder that someone cares.
Have you worked as a volunteer yourself?
I am a Building on Faith volunteer through Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, joining other members of my church to help build a home for a local family each year. In the summer I volunteer at West Willow Community Center to help prep the community garden for growing season. I also help to maintain the garden and teach young people to harvest fresh fruit and vegetables.
How do volunteers help YMOW and the people it serves?
Volunteers help YMOW by ensuring our seniors are provided with meals, a warm greeting, and a safety check every weekday.
As I said earlier, YMOW volunteer deliver more than a meal. They deliver a daily reminder that someone cares.
As we prepare to launch Saturday delivery in June, we are in need of volunteers willing to give a few hours of their weekend in support of our mission. Additional ways volunteers help YMOW include organizing our pantry, assisting with special events, making blankets for clients and their pets, preparing baked goods, providing friendly visits and being a part of our Pen Pal program.
If you have time to give, there’s a place for you at YMOW!
You can read more about Rolanda HERE.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at YMOW, visit ymow.org/volunteer, or contact Rolanda at (734) 487-9669, Ext. 2, or rolanda@ymow.org.