Paul’s Place utilized VolunteerHub to create a streamlined, efficient, and optimized volunteer program, focused on building relationships.
For over 39 years, Paul’s Place has been a cornerstone of support for Baltimore’s Southwest community. Founded in 1982 by two volunteers from St. John’s Episcopal Church, the organization began as a soup kitchen in one of Baltimore’s poorest neighborhoods. Today, Paul’s Place provides a range of essential services, including hot meals, an emergency food pantry, clothing, and laundry services, mail and fax solutions, case management, a nurse’s clinic, and education and job readiness programs.
Between July 2019 and June 2020, Paul’s Place delivered 30,961 meals and impacted the lives of countless community members through these vital services (2020 annual report). Their mission: to act as a catalyst and leader for positive change in Southwest Baltimore.
The Power of Volunteerism
To achieve its mission, Paul’s Place relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers each year. From 2019 to 2020, the organization engaged 1,014 volunteers, contributing 6,427 hours of service across programs. Volunteers support a variety of roles, including kitchen assistance, guest services, donation sorting, operating the clothing store, and helping visitors in the computer lab.
“Investing time and resources into our volunteer program is essential. We couldn’t achieve our mission of improving quality of life in Southwest Baltimore without the dedication of our volunteers,” said Nicole Davis, Volunteer and Youth Programs Director at Paul’s Place.
VolunteerHub is the Best Volunteer Software for Paul’s Place
Before adopting VolunteerHub, Paul’s Place managed volunteer data through manual processes, including spreadsheets and phone calls. This approach was time-intensive and unsustainable as the organization expanded. After evaluating several volunteer management solutions, Paul’s Place chose VolunteerHub for its extensive features and ease of use.
“The system we used before VolunteerHub made communication with volunteers a challenge and wasn’t scalable as we grew,” said Nicole.
Key VolunteerHub features have significantly improved efficiency at Paul’s Place:
- Enhanced Communication: VolunteerHub’s messaging tools keep volunteers informed with regular updates, new opportunities, and thank-you messages post-engagement.
- Automated Recruitment & Data Entry: The landing page and automation features streamline volunteer sign-ups and data management, allowing staff to focus on other critical initiatives.
- Knowledge Base & Support: VolunteerHub’s extensive resources and support ensure staff can easily navigate the software and maximize its benefits.
“VolunteerHub provides a polished, well-rounded solution for volunteer management. We use its features to recruit, engage, and manage our supporters and their activities,” Nicole shared.
Looking Ahead: Building a Stronger Future
With the support of volunteers, donors, and tools like VolunteerHub, Paul’s Place continues to expand its impact on the Southwest Baltimore community. The organization is confident that as its volunteer program grows, it can seamlessly scale recruitment, engagement, and management efforts.
Ready to transform your organization’s volunteer program?
Paul’s Place is a great example of how the right volunteer management software can make all the difference in accomplishing a mission. VolunteerHub provides the features your organization needs to transform your volunteer program.
