Minneapolis-based HandsOn Twin Cities has been connecting the community with volunteer opportunities for more than 100 years, tapping into the generous and diverse missions of more than 500 nonprofits helping vulnerable individuals, families and communities build better lives. It's no surprise that the organization is facing a massive challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic, as volunteer events are canceled and the lion's share of volunteers are practicing physical distancing. We spoke with Executive Director Tracy Nielsen, who shares her worries, of course, but also reasons for optimism. And she gives us practical steps to take from the safety of our homes to help our fellow Minnesotans.
Q: With our new normal changing by the hour, what's the biggest challenge for HandsOn Twin Cities?
A: One of the biggest challenges is that much of our world centers around volunteer events. Annually, we coordinate nearly 300 volunteer projects with groups and corporate partners and those have all come to a stop. Instead, we are doing tons of individual outreach to our nonprofit partners to figure out how we can best support them during these times. We're in communication with our partner volunteer centers around the world to learn from each other, we're helping companies rethink what volunteerism can look like for their employees and we're shifting our staff to accommodate these new needs.
Q: What is the biggest worry for those who are homeless?
A: I don't even think I can begin to answer this question. Our main contacts are with executive directors and volunteer managers at organizations on the front lines of getting people food and shelter. The stress and anxiety that they are feeling while they rapidly adapt their services to make them safe and also meet an increased need is indescribable.
Q: What's one strategy you implemented right away?
A: The first thing we did was set up a Volunteer Response Hub for COVID-19 needs so that there was a centralized place for nonprofits to easily update these needs and for volunteers to connect to the true needs each day. Some nonprofits desperately need volunteers, while others are not accepting volunteers, so highlighting the right places to go is critical. This site also has many opportunities that people/families can do from home — supporting seniors and vulnerable people in isolation particularly — and there are tremendous in-kind needs that nonprofits have (hygiene items, emergency food, masks, toilet paper) that are easy for people to pick up and drop off safely. We're also ramping up ways for people to support nonprofits through pro bono/skills-based support. Strategy, marketing, technology, infrastructure, financial planning — we're working with local companies and individuals to leverage knowledge and skills to help nonprofits navigate these challenging times.
Q: With so many volunteers being retired people who now are staying in, what can they do to help?
