Description:
Grace Helping Hands is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing toiletry kits and feminine hygiene products to homeless women and children in Montgomery County and beyond. We are offering an impactful volunteer opportunity for MCPS students to earn SSL hours while advocating for those in need.
Volunteers will participate in a writing campaign to raise awareness and request support from local legislators, businesses, and manufacturers. Students will draft emails to local congresspersons, stores, vendors, and manufacturers, urging them to support Grace Helping Hands by donating products or funding.
SSL Hour Equivalency:
- Each completed and approved advocacy email = One (1) SSL hour.
Instructions for Earning SSL Hours:
Writing Campaign Requirements:
- Research and draft advocacy emails.
- Address letters to designated recipients (e.g., elected officials, business leaders).
- Collaborate with Grace Helping Hands for message approval and impact tracking.
- Submit final drafts to volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org for approval.
Submission & Approval Process:
- Submit advocacy emails as a document to volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org for approval.
- Make edits based on feedback provided by Grace Helping Hands.
- An adult representative will review and approve submissions.
- SSL hours will be awarded once the required number of approved advocacy emails is completed.
Skills Gained:
✔ Advocacy & persuasive
writing
✔ Community engagement & leadership
✔ Real-world impact on homelessness
How to Participate:
- Register for the volunteer opportunity.
- Attend a brief virtual orientation.
- Complete the writing tasks and submit for SSL credit.
Contact:
For more information or to sign up, please contact volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org
Students will not be the ones sending the emails, but rather, the students will submit the emails to volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org
Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:
· A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.
· Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.
· Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.
· The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.
· Virtual sessions will not be recorded.
· Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.
Join us in making a difference—one email at a time!
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.
