Volunteers have an incredible impact on non-profit organizations, from helping periodically with events or dedicating their time and professional skills on a daily basis. At Your Hearing Dog Inc. (YHD), dedicated and skilled volunteers are critical to both the success and everyday functions of the organization. As many know, YHD provides hearing dogs for the hard-of-hearing and deaf community, giving them the opportunity to experience safety and confidence. In order for this to happen, however, there is a great deal that happens “behind the scenes” to ensure the organization runs smoothly and successfully. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the amazing work volunteers are doing to make a “paw-sitive” difference!
Volunteers with YHD have a wide variety of passions and educational backgrounds- from seasoned leaders to recent college graduates. What is most remarkable is that most roles are done remotely throughout the globe, with volunteers located in North America, Europe, and Africa. Managing the various time zones and scheduling meetings has its challenges, but it doesn’t limit these volunteers from placing their hearts in their work and remaining dedicated to YHD’s mission.
One of these amazing volunteers is Nichole Hayashida, a Content Creator on the Content Team. Utilizing her incredible writing skills, she focuses on creating engaging and knowledge-filled content, often combining it with her passion and skill set in research. Her contributions extend beyond content creation as well, particularly for the YHD kick-off event, where she contacted dog-related businesses in Colorado Springs for advertising, designed event flyers, and created a dynamic slideshow.
After finding enjoyment in previous volunteer work with a museum and studying ASL in college, she was drawn to YHD. Nichole believed volunteering with this organization would be a positive experience, and has found this to be true, while also giving her the opportunity to utilize her writing and research skills in a creative environment. She loves the opportunity to contribute in a way that helps the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, and being a dog lover as well, it’s “an added bonus getting to write about mankind’s best friend!” It is clear that Nichole’s impact is significant, and the role has really resonated with her during her time as a volunteer.
Another dedicated member of the Content Team, Samantha Charintranond, serves as the Lead for the team. Through this role, she “wears many hats,” often helping in numerous ways. Oftentimes, she can be found helping to create graphics for events, editing the blog, and designing the monthly newsletter. When there is a creative project that needs to be completed, she is always ready to jump in and help.
As a Lead, her role is also to support the content creators, often helping them to brainstorm ideas, and ensuring everyone’s work stays on track. Before joining YHD, Samantha was looking to use her skill set to help a non-profit, and she knew when she found this organization helping the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, it would be a perfect fit. While her talents are certainly utilized in this volunteer role, she most enjoys “the fact that the work we do here has a real positive impact on people’s lives, which I can see through the work that I do and the communication I have with the people involved.” Samantha adds, “It has been truly an honor to be able to work with the team at YHD!” Her contributions are certainly invaluable to the creative work of this organization.
Beyond the Content Team, YHD thrives thanks to volunteers in many other critical areas. The Fundraising and Community Outreach volunteers are essential for securing financial stability, expanding services, and ensuring every person who needs a hearing dog can receive a fully trained companion. Additionally, a dedicated team with strong technological skills ensures the website is always user-friendly, easy to navigate, and accessible to everyone. Their work, from redesigning sections to implementing updates, makes it simple for visitors to learn about YHD and connect with the mission.
While the roles and geographic locations may vary, the driving force and common thread among this group of volunteers is their dedication to helping others and making a meaningful difference. Whether they have experience with deaf or hard-of-hearing family members or simply want to help, each one contributes to the daily success and continued function of the organization. Of course, having volunteers who are also dog lovers, some with beloved family pets, provides the added benefit of having people with first-hand knowledge of the important role a dog has in a life and the impact of their companionship.
As Nichole beautifully summarized, “Everyone is doing different things in their lives, but when us volunteers are able to offer our time and skills, it always turns out amazing in what we’re able to accomplish together.” This truly is an incredible testament to the power of our volunteers and the transformative work of Your Hearing Dog, Inc.
Inspired by our volunteers? Visit here to learn how you can contribute to our mission and make a difference in the lives of those who need a hearing dog!
- Tags: Content Writing, Impactful, volunteer, Your Hearing Dog