EveryStep Receives National Service Enterprise Certification
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2021
CONTACTS:
Polly Carver-Kimm, EveryStep
515.631.9579, pcarver-kimm@everystep.org
Betsy Shelton, Volunteer Iowa
515.348.6228, betsy.shelton@volunteeriowa.org
DES MOINES, Iowa – EveryStep, a nonprofit health care and human services organization that has been serving Iowans since 1908, was recently recognized as a certified Service Enterprise Initiative organization. A Service Enterprise organization fundamentally leverages volunteers and their skills across all levels of the organization to successfully deliver on its social mission. Less than 15 percent of organizations nationwide can be characterized as Service Enterprises.
“At EveryStep, volunteers play an important role in the organization's ability to live out its mission, said EveryStep president and CEO Tray Wade. "Without our dedicated volunteers, EveryStep would not be able to provide care and support to thousands of patients, clients and families. Last year, nearly 600 volunteers made a difference in the lives of those we serve. They provide companionship to dying patients, veterans and homebound Iowans; bake treats for families at our hospice homes; lead grief support groups; record voices of inmates reading books to their children; and they unload, clean and price donations at EveryStep Giving Tree thrift store. Our volunteers make a difference in their communities and to the people EveryStep serves.”
To be designated as a Service Enterprise, organization staff, board members and volunteers must participate in the research-based assessment, training and consulting. This process allows the organization to leverage the skills and expertise of volunteers at all levels. The designation, awarded by Points of Light, strengthens the capacity of nonprofits to better address community needs with the skill sets and talents of volunteers.
The initiative is currently delivered through Volunteer Iowa, part of a national network of Service Enterprise Hubs, which has certified more than 400 organizations across the country since 2012. EveryStep joins over 40 organizations across Iowa that have received the Service Enterprise certification.
To learn more about Service Enterprise visit volunteeriowa.org/SEI. Organizations and agencies that are interested in becoming a Service Enterprise can contact Michelle Raymer, Volunteer Iowa Program Officer, at michelle.raymer@volunteeriowa.org or 515-348-6235.
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About EveryStep
EveryStep is a non-profit health care and human services organization which annually serves more than 60,000 Iowans. EveryStep is known for its ability to help patients, clients, and their families, and to support community partners as they navigate challenges, address complicated care issues and achieve high-quality outcomes. Serving Iowa from 14 locations across the state, nearly 400 employees and hundreds of volunteers are committed to EveryStep’s mission: to empower individuals, support families and strengthen communities. There is at least one EveryStep program available to residents in every Iowa county.
About Volunteer Iowa
Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts. The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need. The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base. Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages more than 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year – we put people at the center of change. For more information, go to pointsoflight.org.