It's a volunteer initiative that Mayor Boyd Dunn called a "great experiment" and the first City of Chandler push to mobilize religious organizations, businesses, politicians and non-profits for the common good. Mayor Dunn subsequently referred to this effort as: "Bringing our community together through volunteerism."
This is a summary of the needs identified during the breakfast, and later, and will give an idea to service providers of some of the needs in Chandler that should be addressed. Please Contact For Our City–Chandler to discuss these and other service opportunities. Some of these opportunities are excellent youth group and Eagle Scout service projects.
You may sign up for service activities by completing the Volunteer Registration form. Please remember to complete the Service Report Form after any project so that we may know what was accomplished.
Elderly.
•There is an increasing need for care of the elderly.
•Assist the elderly with meals, transportation and wellness checkups for shut-ins.
Families in crisis.
•Food banks need more support and there needs to be more of them.
•Supply basic food needs and establish more food bank outlets by having faith communities stock existing food banks.
•Examples: Chandler Christian Community Center, St. Vincent de Paul.
Homeless.
•There is a need for emergency shelters and housing in the community to address the homeless problem.
•Educate Chandler on homeless issues.
•Establish a centrally located clearinghouse of services for homeless and/or transient people.
•Look into Project Homeless Connect, IHELP and Open Table.
Low/moderate income individuals and families.
•There needs to be assistance for the unemployed.
•Assist with resumes and jobs for the unemployed, underemployed, ex-offenders or prostitutes.
•Create a database for job counseling and skill development.
•Organize a life skills center that includes basic financial training.
•Provide Affordable Housing.
Neighborhood clean-up and repair. (See the Success Stories page for additional ideas.)
•Live Love needs additional volunteers and workers for its annual project. See: www.whatislivelove.com
•Select a block or neighborhood for a clean-up day.
•Provide landscaping, painting, roofing, or other services.
•Home improvement repairs of plumbing, carpentry, electrical, carpet, etc., in a given home or area.
•Clean vacant lots.
Special needs individuals.
•Although there were not specific statements recorded regarding individuals with special needs, many of the items listed may apply to this population category.
Youth/Schools.
•The schools need assistance in several different areas.
•Set specific goals related to education such as raising SAT scores or literacy level by 4th grade.
•Adopt underachieving schools and provide basics such as shoes and backpacks for children going back to school.
•Adopt a classroom and tutor, mentor, read and volunteer.
•Undertake repair projects at schools, such as painting, planting trees, repairing playground equipment, etc.
•Start clubs at schools.
•Help with substance abuse and gang issues in Chandler.
Other Comments.
•There are many other ways to help in the community.
•There is a lack of relationship/intimacy in neighborhoods.
•People are isolated.
•Help individuals and families with residential woes/questions.
•Help with code enforcement, especially with abandoned property or with elderly or handicapped persons.
•Provide humanitarian efforts to Chandler's immigration issues.
•Better way to handle Day Labor in Chandler.
•Assist those in abusive home situations.
