Jenny Voigt: Volunteering and Encouraging Others to Volunteer

ARTICLE BY JIM BAKER

In its efforts to engage with the central Texas community, Amplify Credit Union has long stressed involvement with local charitable organizations, especially those that emphasize improving the lot of the less fortunate. To encourage its team members to get involved, Amplify allows them 40 hours of paid time per year to dedicate to their favorite volunteering activities. Of course, many team members go above and beyond this allowance, giving their time and money to a number of worthy causes in and around Austin.

If you’re an Amplify Credit Union team member, Senior Human Resources Generalist Jenny Voigt wants you to get involved with volunteering, much as she has herself. As the United Way coordinator for the credit union, she knows first-hand the efforts Amplify has made to encourage a volunteer culture in the work place.

“It feels good to be part of an organization that supports these activities,” said Jenny. “Because we are a member-owned credit union, it is important to give back to the community – but it shouldn’t be forced as it is by some employers. Amplify’s Community Care Hours program gives our team members the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering with the organizations that matter to them.”

Jenny has been instrumental in getting Amplify team members involved in several United Way projects, including a clean-up day at Umlauf Sculpture Garden spent tidying up the grounds, a playground refurbishment at SafePlace, and a computer deconstruction project for Good Will Industries.

For her own volunteering, Jenny is involved with Family Eldercare, an organization dedicated to keeping senior citizens connected to society and able to live full, independent lives. The inspiration to become involved with Family Eldercare came to Jenny from within her own family.

“My grandmother lived to be 96, living in her own home until the very end; but she stayed engaged and active socially and that made for a high quality of life. I wanted that for other people as well.”

Family Eldercare provides social interaction for those who might be otherwise isolated. They make frequent calls to those in the program to make sure their needs are being met.

“The worry is that those who don’t stay in contact with others lose their quality of life and the will to go on,” said Jenny. “There are a host of services for elderly individuals. Family Eldercare works with them to make sure their bills are paid and that they don’t fall victim to those who prey on the elderly. Advocates and social workers also help them coordinate care, and check to see if their basic needs – such as nutrition and medications – are being met. Family Eldercare also provides low-cost housing for those in need.”

Often, though, it’s just a call to say hello and remind them about daily activities such as phone Bingo and to let them know that there are still people in the world who care about them. Jenny calls about 25 such individuals on a regular basis. Participants are also encouraged to interact with one another through a program called Lifetime Connections Without Walls in which they discuss a variety of topics and take part in mind exercises and games.

It was through Jenny’s work with Family Eldercare that a connection was made with Ethel Black, one of the beneficiaries of Amplify’s participation in the Austin American-Statesman’s 2013 Season for Caring program.

Jenny has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Capital Area Foodbank in Austin. Her philosophy on volunteering is one well worth considering.

“When you’re in a good place, you ask yourself what you can do to get someone less fortunate to feel the way you do,” she said, “If you don’t’ have money to give, then give your time. If everybody does just a little, the work wouldn’t be left up to just a few.”

Want to get involved with Family Eldercare? Learn more about all the ways you can volunteer, donate, or even fundraise with Family Eldercare.