Faces of Companis : In 2024, Companis reached a record setting 101 active volunteer placements, representing a 36% increase from 2023. These volunteers are just a few of the many who serve our communities across King & Snohomish Counties. (Photos by Charissa Soriano. See names of those pictured below)
By Jillian Harmon, Companis Assoc. E.D. for Programs
When I moved from Chicago to Seattle, I was yet another newcomer looking to put down roots and invest in my community. Like many, I turned to volunteering as a way to connect. However, I quickly discovered that finding not just any volunteer opportunity, but the right one that I could sustain over time, was a significant challenge.
The reality is that nationally, only 60-65% of volunteers complete their volunteer commitments. The reasons vary: changes in work-life balance, inflexible schedules, lengthy commutes, or a mismatch between skills and roles. While giving back is often presented as being as simple as giving an hour of one’s time, my search for meaningful volunteering showed me it’s more complex. I needed a role that aligned with my passions, fit my schedule, was accessible, utilized my skills while helping me grow, and offered opportunities to build community.
Eventually, I found my place at Jubilee Women’s Center, serving as a Front Desk Volunteer at this vital women’s transitional housing and domestic abuse support center. Though I cherished my time there, the journey to finding this role was unnecessarily challenging. This experience highlighted a crucial truth: while finding any volunteer role might be easy, finding the right role can be much harder. That’s why Companis exists.
(Photo by Dan DeLong for Companis)
We serve as King & Snohomish County’s resource for connecting people with their power to make a difference. Through our tailored “matchmaking” approach, we ensure that every volunteer who seeks our help finds a meaningful and sustainable way to serve, regardless of their life circumstances. The effectiveness of this personalized approach, paired with dedicated support throughout each volunteer’s placement, speaks for itself: 94% of Companis volunteers complete their commitments, significantly outpacing the national average of 60-65%.
2024 has been a landmark year for our proven model of volunteer matching. We’ve experienced a 36% increase in active volunteer placements, reaching a record 101 long-term placements throughout King & Snohomish Counties. Our nonprofit partnerships have grown by 20%, expanding our reach to new mission areas and communities. This growth reflects the trust that local nonprofits and volunteers place in Companis to create “right fit” matches – partnerships that not only make volunteering sustainable and meaningful but also strengthen our nonprofit partners by reducing volunteer management costs and increasing capacity through skilled, committed volunteers.
To everyone who has served or donated to support our efforts this year, thank you. Your commitment to supporting local volunteerism and tailored volunteer matching has enabled us to serve more nonprofits than ever before in our history. You’ve helped create a unique resource that unlocks the potential in both volunteers and our community, making meaningful service accessible to all.
And if you’re new to Companis, we’d love to have you join our community. You can make a difference by donating to support our tailored volunteer matching and support programming, becoming a volunteer yourself to directly impact our community, or simply spreading the word by telling a friend. Reach out, and let’s discuss how we can continue to build a stronger, more connected community together.
Companis Workers pictured above, from left to right – Row 1: Amy Kickliter, Brigita Rumung, Inola de la Cruz, Golden Davenport, and Terrie Deidesheimer. Row 2: Debbie Aylott, Clare Stemmer, Viola Eldred, Lee Campbell, and Lorraine Pidgeon.