Kazumi Reads

                                                             


Critical Evaluation:
I have used this site and it is just amazing. Teens come into Libraries all the time looking for volunteer opportunities, but, sometimes, we just don't have enough work for them to do. However, using this resource is incredibly helpful since teens can access this site at any time and they have plenty of choices to choose from. The volunteer opportunities revolve around a lot of topics such helping the homeless, beach clean-up's, helping children learn to read, working summer camps, helping out at hospitals, and working at fundraisers. Opportunities are listed by preference, zip code, and distance, which is helpful since not all teens have transportation so choosing activities close to home is essential. This site is highly inclusive where not just teens can participate, but children and families, which show that this organization strives to have every member of the various communities involved.

Reader's Annotation:
Teens looking for volunteer opportunities can use this website where they can retrieve results based on their interest, age, and location.

Information about the website:
According to the "About Us," section, VolunteerMatch began when "Four MBA's – Mark Benning, Joanne Ernst, Steve Glikbarg, and Cindy Shove – draft plans to launch an online nonprofit to promote community involvement." In 1998, VolunteerMatch created it's own website, which was later promoted by Oprah Winfrey in 1999 and, with the aftermath of 9/11, the website's popularity soared where it won two Webby awards for service and activism in 2001. Along with winning these awards, the organization received a $ 1 million grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies, which was later followed by additional grant monies.

In 2003, VolunteerMatch.org reached it's 1,000,000th referral and in April of 2003, it teamed up with Yahoo! to promote volunteer service for National Volunteer Week. In 2005, VolunteerMatch dispatched 80,000 volunteers, over four weeks, to help victims of the Hurricane Katrina. Lastly, in 2007, VolunteerMatch was featured in a Time article as one of the top ten websites, which is an immense honor, especially after the organization achieved its 3,000,000th referral.

Genre:
Volunteering


Curriculum Tie-In's:
N/A


Booktalking Ideas:
This website definitely belongs in a weblinks collection specifically meant for teens on the Library website. Moreover, I would recommend teens to check this site out at home, or at the Library, to find opportunities that suits their needs and I will be more than willing to demonstrate how the site works and how to limit their search according to their preferences.


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10-12


Challenge Issues:
N/A

Sites similar to VolunteerMatch.org:

• Idealist.org
• Servenet.org
• GetInvolved.gov

Why did I choose this site?
I chose this site because how comprehensive it is. Another great feature of this site is it's networking abilities where it provides opportunities from professional organizations such as AmeriCorps, which a great for teen who are looking ways to to serve their community while earning college money and making connections. Furthermore, this site is always sending me e-mails, which means they are constantly trying to promote community service.  


Awards & Recognition:
VolunteerMatch.org has received much  recognition from all over the world, which they list here and awards.


References:
VolunteerMatch - Awards. (n.d.). VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/about/awards/

VolunteerMatch - Advanced opportunity search. (n.d.). VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/advanced.jsp

VolunteerMatch - Vision. (n.d.). VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/about/vision/index.jsp 

VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. (n.d.). Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/