The VCRI Mission/History Our Mission Statement Originally incorporated as Volunteers in Action in 1969, the mission of the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island (VCRI) is to connect people and opportunities for effective community service. We do this by promoting volunteerism statewide, connecting volunteers to opportunities, building the capacity for effective volunteerism through training and consultation and by collaborating with community stakeholders where volunteers are involved. How VCRI Carries Out the Mission Promoting volunteerism statewide: VCRI honors agencies, groups and individuals with awards to heighten awareness of the volunteerism and the positive results of volunteering in the community. VCRI 's volunteer recognition awards include our Outstanding Volunteer awards and the annual “Outstanding Commitment to Volunteerism'” and “Volunteer of the Year” awards given at our Gala.  We also offer Presidential Service Awards to individuals who complete at least 100 hours of volunteer service in a given year (50 hours for youth under the age of 18).  In addition, VCRI hosts agency fairs, and community service days for the entire community to participate in and learn about volunteer opportunities. Connecting volunteers to opportunities: VCRI  provides volunteer referral services to any individual, family or group requesting information about available volunteer opportunities. We work with youth (ages 14 -18), adults, the unemployed, the mentally and physically challenged, working professionals and senior citizens. VCRI offers specialized programs to specific target groups, including Volunteens, AmeriCorps Volunteers in Action, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and our Family Volunteer Program.  Our Volunteer Opportunities Database includes hundreds of current volunteer positions and over 400 organizations that we use for individualized matching and referral by phone or in person. We also refer volunteers to agencies through major newspaper columns and various annual publications. Last year, VCRI referred many thousands of individuals to non-profit organizations, government agencies or proprietary health care institutions in the state of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Building the capacity for effective volunteerism: VCRI  specializes in training and professional support in all aspects of volunteer program management and design. We offer training in areas such as basic volunteer management, business employee volunteer programs, recruitment, interviewing, volunteer/staff relations, board development, volunteer recognition, supervision, program design, or any other issue that the agency requests. We also organize and run an annual conference for volunteer professionals. We consult individually or with groups of volunteer coordinators through workshops and conferences. Collaborating with community stakeholders: VCRI  is interested in creating partnerships with any organization promoting effective community service. To that end, VCRI hosts the Capitol Region Retired Senior Volunteer Program and AmeriCorps members. VCRI  is also a leading member of Voluntary Organizations Active (VOAD) in Disaster and RI Citizen Corps.  We are also currently working with United Way of RI to develop a 211 telephone referral system in RI. Volunteer Center of Rhode Island (VCRI)