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Governor Ned Lamont

05/10/2020

Governor Lamont: State and Nonprofit Partners Expand Volunteer Recruitment Efforts for COVID-19 Response

To Date, More Than 5,000 Medical Volunteers and 1,600 Non-Medical Volunteers Have Provided Assistance

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today said that the State of Connecticut and its nonprofit partners are continuing to seek volunteers willing to help communities respond to the COVID-10 crisis. The state’s volunteer recruitment effort is being expanded to bolster the ranks of volunteers needed at nonprofits that offer support to children and adults in programs for intellectual disabilities and behavioral health settings, as well as organizations that support senior citizens.

To date, more than 5,000 medical volunteers and 1,600 non-medical volunteers have come forward to assist Connecticut’s hospitals and health systems, and also provide support to nonprofits that provide essential human services. Volunteers have helped distribute food with food banks, provided support for those experiencing homelessness in shelters across the state, and delivered meals to homebound senior citizens in communities across Connecticut.

Governor Lamont said that he is grateful for everyone who has stepped up to volunteer their assistance. He also expressed his gratitude to the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), which has made the Disaster Assistance Response Technology database available to help manage the statewide volunteer recruitment effort for this emergency.

“Connecticut residents and businesses have been incredibly generous in offering to do what they can to meet the needs of our state at this challenging time,” Governor Lamont said. “The volunteers who have come forward have been a tremendous help to our hospitals, and to critically important services at our food banks, meal delivery services, and shelters. I’m grateful to everyone who is stepping forward – and I ask that you keep pitching in, and invite others to join you so that we can meet the needs of our neighbors and communities over the coming weeks and months.”

How to volunteer:

  • Anyone interested in volunteering to help their communities in this effort can sign up by visiting ct.gov/coronavirus and clicking the “Volunteers” link. Those interested will be matched with a community provider in need based on their personal interests and abilities.
  • Volunteers must be 18 or older, and should not volunteer if at risk or compromised. Those who are immunocompromised, over 60, showing symptoms of COVID-19, or live with or care for someone in any of those categories should avoid being in public, including for volunteer efforts. Please stay safe, stay home.
  • Volunteers do not need to be health care workers. In addition to calling on physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals who may be retired, the state needs community members to help out at food banks, food deliveries to the elderly, and at shelters in a number of ways.
  • For those who do have a background in health care, the state’s medical community has specific needs at this time. Hospitals have advised the state that they have a high need for critical care nurses and respiratory therapists.
  • Every effort is being made to keep volunteers safe. The state and all of the organizations involved are working hard to make sure that everyone helping out can do so as safely as possible. If any volunteers have concerns, they are strongly urged to ask about the safety protocols of the organization they are volunteering.
  • Volunteers will be sent where they are most needed and feel most comfortable. The volunteer process is centralized so that the state and participating organizations have a clear picture of everyone who can help, and everything that is needed. That way, volunteers can be matched with an opportunity that is most in need of that person’s skillset.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said, “I thank every resident of Connecticut who has come forward to meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents during this time. Volunteers are an absolutely essential part of effective response to this crisis. I know that if everyone steps up to do what they can, we will continue to have one of the greatest teams in the country combating this disease, and we will bounce back.”

Department of Public Health Commissioner Renée Coleman-Mitchell said, “Volunteers with a medical background are critical to increase the capacity of the healthcare system at this important time. I thank the medical volunteers who have come forward, and I ask for others who have not yet raised their hand to help to do so now – your skills and support continues to be needed.”

Department of Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter said, “Many older adults across the state are counting on our support, first and foremost to address their basic needs such as access to meals and groceries. Volunteers can play a critical role here. They can also form connections with the older adults, and facilitate technology connections between the older adult and their support network. I am grateful to all those Connecticut residents willing to step up.”

Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Foodshare, said, “These volunteers have given absolutely essential support to food pantries across the state that rely heavily on volunteer labor. They’ve seen many of their regular volunteers necessarily step away from service due to illness or other COVID-19 related circumstances. Our emergency food distribution system has never been more important, and volunteer labor is critical to making sure that we can meet the need of families who require our support right now.”

Jennifer Jackson, President and CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association, said, “Connecticut’s hospitals are thankful for each of the volunteers who have reached out their hands in support of front line healthcare workers and hospitals across the state. We thank all of them for the time and talent they have devoted to responding to this crisis.”

Mike Corey, chair of Connecticut Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster said, “It has been amazing to see the number of folks from across Connecticut that have stepped up to assist their neighbors and communities during this time of need. CT VOAD wishes to thank those that have volunteered, the agencies and organizations across the state coming together to meet their community’s needs, and our friends at Team Rubicon, Foodshare and Americares, among others, for their tireless work behind the scenes.”

Gian-Carl Casa, CEO of the Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance, said, “Volunteers coming forward to support this effort are providing critically needed help to nonprofits serving our most vulnerable residents at this time of crisis. We are grateful to Governor Lamont for launching this effort, and to the volunteers who are stepping up to help their communities.”

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