The summer volunteer review

Posted by Calvin on August 26, 2010 under Partnerships, Special Events | Be the First to Comment

With the summer nearing an end, it’s time to acknowledge some of The Doe Fund’s most ardent supporters: our dedicated volunteer base! During the summer months, we were fortunate to have the help of over 100 individual volunteers, plus over a dozen groups. Ongoing partners – including Barclays, HSBC, and Morgan Stanley – brought their enthusiasm and experience to mock interviews and resume building events. Goldman Sachs joined us for their annual Career Day event as part of their Community Teamworks volunteer initiative. The event featured roundtable discussions designed to equip our trainees for a successful job search. We also had the pleasure of working with new groups, such as Christie’s, John Jay College, and Wells Fargo, a group that came to us through our relationship with Robin Hood. They also arranged our final corporate volunteer group of the summer, Redburn, which will help our guys out next Wednesday with fine-tuning their resumes. Thanks to all our volunteers for giving generously of their time and expertise!

Hands On New York Day

Posted by Calvin on April 30, 2010 under Special Events | Be the First to Comment

Last Saturday, The Doe Fund mobilized a team of 30 volunteers to participate in Hands On New York Day, a day of service organized by New York Cares. Trainees and staff gathered to revitalize Brooklyn’s Cooper Park. The team painted over 10 benches, 7 lamp posts, and the fencing that surrounds the handball courts. They also cleared debris and added new woodchips around the tree beds. A special thanks goes out to New York Cares for putting together a wonderful service opportunity!

Corporate spotlight: Ruchi Pinniger from Credit Suisse

Posted by Calvin on March 29, 2010 under Partnerships | Be the First to Comment

The Doe Fund is fortunate to partner with thousands of supporters who donate their time, energy, and financial resources to help further our mission. Ruchi Pinniger is one of them. She has helped us mobilize over a hundred volunteers through her employer, Credit Suisse. Thanks to her assistance, Credit Suisse is also one of our steadfast corporate donors. Recently, we asked Ruchi to shed light on her Doe Fund experience.

How did you first get involved with The Doe Fund?
My interest in The Doe Fund was ultimately piqued by the “men in blue” who were always working so enthusiastically while cleaning the streets in my neighborhood. Once I found out that these men were participants in the Ready, Willing & Able program of The Doe Fund, I made sure to introduce myself to representatives from the organization when Credit Suisse sponsored an event for the Fund several years ago. Since then, I have strived to dedicate my own time, while also spreading the word about the “men in blue” to my friends and colleagues.

You’ve arranged several volunteer events through Credit Suisse. How do you manage to consistently put together terrific volunteer groups every time?
Ultimately, it’s not about me but about the willingness of my colleagues to volunteer their time and energy for a great organization. The appreciation of The Doe Fund trainees and staff is what brings us back so often. I want to highlight people like Andy Wong, Bill Eng, Ryan Kartick, Mu-jen Wu and Margaret Corcoran who, among others, have actively participated in the events and have been great advocates for the program.

Your enthusiasm for the trainees and for volunteer events like mock interviews is contagious. What goes through your mind when you’re at a mock interview?
The trainees have an infectious energy which has an incredible effect on me. Every time I work with a new trainee at a mock interview, I learn a little bit more about applying commitment and resilience to every endeavor in life. After our events, all of the Credit Suisse volunteers tell me how much the determination of the trainees has inspired them personally.

Tell us a little bit about the culture of volunteerism at Credit Suisse.
Credit Suisse strongly encourages participation in community activities. The culture at Credit Suisse stresses improving the communities in which we live and work. The firm places its philanthropic focus on organizations where Credit Suisse employees are personally engaged. This makes employees partners in the corporate funding process and gives us the freedom to choose the causes where we want to be involved.

What has been your most memorable Doe Fund experience?
My most memorable experience has not been just one event, but happens annually at graduation when the men celebrate the culmination of their training and their re-entry into the workforce. I love experiencing the excitement in the room from the pride that each individual feels after overcoming tremendous challenges and building a second chance for themselves.

Building the perfect résumé

Posted by Calvin on March 8, 2010 under Special Events | Read the First Comment

Throughout the year, The Doe Fund’s Development and Career Development departments work with our VISTA volunteers from Americorps to put together compelling volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. Last Thursday evening, a wonderful group of employees from State Street Bank came to our Harlem facility to help trainees through a résumé building workshop. They offered guidance in framing objectives and job descriptions as well as addressing layout issues. Each volunteer had an opportunity to work with two trainees. By the end of the evening each trainee had a better grasp of how to present themselves well on paper. Another Thursday night well spent.

Practice makes perfect

Posted by Calvin on December 14, 2009 under Special Events | Be the First to Comment

 

The Doe Fund is always eager to partner with community stakeholders.  Last week, we held two mock interview sessions at which individual volunteers and employees from HSBC and O Magazine worked with trainees to help them prepare for job interviews.  Handshakes, eye contact, overall presentation, good responses, and questions for interviewers were all practiced and discussed.  Feedback was also provided on resumes.  Our “men in blue” pride themselves on getting the job done; our volunteers help them ensure that at the end of our program, getting the job done means getting the job.

Mock Interviews

Posted by Calvin on September 2, 2009 under Partnerships, Special Events | Be the First to Comment

Last Thursday evening, our Harlem facility hosted an enthusiastic group of volunteers from Madison Square Garden, Morgan Stanley, and St. Ignatius Loyola Church.  The volunteers met trainees who are in the Job Preparation phase of the program and helped them hone their interview skills.  Afterwards, volunteers and trainees took a break and sampled fare prepared by trainees in our Culinary Arts training program.