The Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan is proud to announce its new name and look.  It is now Volunteer Southwest Michigan. It is spotlighting its affiliation with the HandsOn Network, its national network of more than 250 volunteer centers across the United States, and has adapted its HandsOn logo.

Executive Director Doris Higgins said, “Our affiliation with the HandsOn Network makes us strong, efficient and able to enrich the lives of our community more effectively.  In the days and weeks ahead you will see and hear more from us about our new look and improved services.”

Volunteer Southwest Michigan makes it easy for volunteers to help others in a meaningful way by connecting them to local organizations that need them. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

More then 300 local organizations turn to Volunteer Southwest Michigan for volunteer help and operational support. It helps them achieve their missions in a more efficient, productive and affordable way.

Its role as a volunteer center is not to replace other agencies or organizations, but instead to continue its role of connecting volunteers to worthy causes in the community.

Volunteer centers nationwide are conveners for the community, catalysts for social action and key local resources for volunteer involvement. They bring people and community needs together through a range of programs and services based upon community needs, demographic area, population size and other factors. They promote and provide easy access to a wide range of volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations and government agencies that serve the entire community. Volunteer centers link people who want to help — individuals, families, students, businesses and their employees, and civic, community and faith-based organizations — with places or causes where volunteers’ time, talent and interests can be utilized effectively.

This year marks Volunteer Southwest Michigan’s 35th anniversary of service to southwest Michigan, and it pledges to continue offering our many beneficial programs to the community, including the Community Achievement

Awards, the Youth Summer Serve, Martin Luther King Day programs, Volunteer Day at the Berrien County Youth Fair, Volunteer Fairs at Lake Michigan College, Make a Difference Day and Family Volunteer Day.

Contact its offices in St. Joseph, (269) 983-0912, and Niles, 683-5464, or visit its website, www.volunteerswmi.org.