EveryMind’s mission is to strengthen communities and empower individuals to reach optimal mental wellness. For over 63 years, EveryMind provides programs and services for vulnerable and underserved populations that address a full spectrum of community needs. Whether its coordinating wraparound mental, medical and financial services for our veterans; providing school-based mental health counseling and social services; coordinating food, PPE and case management to families and the street homeless and shelter community; or being readily available 24/7 to answer calls, listen and support; EveryMind remains a vital lifeline to our communities.
The demand for mental health services has more than doubled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial strife and political, and EveryMind staff and volunteers are staying committed and working tirelessly to provide support and resources to help our community cope with these uncertain times.
WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
On Monday, January 18th, Montgomery County Volunteer Center will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. We will join with thousands of Americans across the country who will celebrate the national holiday honoring the life and work of Dr. King by doing service in their communities. Take a moment to write words of gratitude to our Hotline Volunteers, encouragement to MCPS students in our Linkage to Learning program and hope to the homeless and sheltered men and women served by our Homeless Outreach Program.
Here’s what you need to do:
Write a letter or card. Please be as creative as you like.
- Thank a Hotline Volunteer for their dedication and tireless commitment to answering phone calls, texts and chats and offering supportive listening, comfort, and crisis intervention to people in need 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Offer hope to a man or woman who is currently homeless and living in a shelter. Please share encouraging words and thoughts and remember that this person may be struggling, sad, alone and needing help.
- Encourage a child or youth. Introduce yourself and start a conversation! Please make sure the letters are kid-friendly (ages 6-18).
Please do not include your full name, email address, home address, or any personally identifying information in your letter or card or the letter will not be able to be given to a person in need.
DROP-OFF: There will be an ATTENDED drop off time for letters/cards from Tuesday, January 19 - Friday, January 22 from 9am-4:30pm at EveryMind’s office location,
1000 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20851. Otherwise, you may mail your letter/cards and address to EveryMind and indicate who the letter/card is for by program on the evelope.
Letters and Cards for Hotline Volunteers – CPIS/Hotline
Letters and Cards for Children and Youth – Linkages to Learning
Letters for Homeless/Sheltered Men and Women – HOS Program
Note: When you drop off your project, all volunteers will be required to fill out a sheet with your name, email address, and a checkbox to indicate if you are requesting SSL hours. Please be sure to wear a mask. EveryMind follows CDC guidelines and social distancing.
If you are requesting SSL hours, a signed form with your hours will be emailed to the email address listed on the drop-off sheet. If you’re a student and mail your letters, please include your completed SSL form and email address. We will review forms, assign/approve hours for completed cards/letters, and email the form with your hours to the email address listed on the SSL form you include with your letter(s). If you have any questions, please contact Rameela Tuladhar, Human Resources Coordinator, at 301-424-0656, ext. 541.
SSL: MCPS students will receive 30 minutes of SSL credit for completing and returning 3 letters (they must submit all 3 for credit). Students may not exceed submission of 15 letters (or 2.5 SSL hours) and they must be completed in increments of 3 (i.e., 3 letters = 30 minutes, 6 letters = 1 hour, 9 letters = 1.5 hours, 12 letters = 2 hours, or 15 letters = 2.5 hours).
By responding to this volunteer opportunity, you are pledging to continue to complete acts of service in the spirit of Dr. King. Looking for more volunteer opportunities? Please visit EveryMind’s website at https://www.every-mind.org/
If you have any additional questions regarding this project, please contact us at volunteer@every-mind.org
THANK YOU in advance for your support & kindness to help others!
