Bridging Communities: Volunteer Coordination Meets Workforce Development

As the Volunteer and Events Coordinator at the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, Leah Lambert’s mission is to create new opportunities for volunteers and community partners. With this goal in mind, she increases event participation, provides volunteer opportunities on-site and off-site, and updates volunteer documents and reporting processes.

As a VISTA, Leah’s favorite achievement has been creating a Vocational STEM & Workforce Development Program. This program provides fourteen different volunteer opportunities that allow participants to learn transferrable vocational skills. After completing the program, most participants leave with a letter of recommendation, as well as opportunities to receive career coaching for their professional development. In addition to offering training in new skills, the Vocational Volunteer program also distributes HHGood Boxes, which include essential cooking items such as can openers, strainers, pots, and pans. Leah has been grateful to bring this essential program to full operation.

Throughout her service, Leah has learned important skills to effectively enact change on a team in the workplace. Although it can prove a challenge to communicate effectively and enact system improvements, Leah has had the opportunity to practice being flexible and listening to feedback. Looking forward, she hopes to take these problem-solving skills into future roles on a grander scale at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, she first plans to finish the work she began by completing a second service term at the Furniture Bank. She believes that the Vocational STEM & Workforce Development Program has great value, and she is excited to continue building it.

“I feel the vocational program will be a lasting contribution to the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio,” she says. “It’s a program that offers continued equity to communities through education. It also offers options for grants and funding for the Furniture Bank while creating inventory for the families they serve.”

Reflecting on service, Leah recommends the experience to others interested in serving the community as a career path.

“I believe national service to be the best way to connect and understand a community. If your career path is to serve the public in any way, it is a wonderful opportunity, although it comes with some challenges,” she says. “It certainly will give you the opportunity to learn how to overcome and persevere. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the fruits of your labor.”

Thanks for your service, Leah!