City's Push to Engage Community Yields Over 34,000 Volunteer Hours Over Six Months

Oct. 5, 2020

Mayor Keller launched the Office of Civic Engagement last year to make the “One Albuquerque” vision a reality—inspiring residents to step up and play a role in supporting one another and solving our city’s biggest challenges. Today, the office released its first annual report, an overview of the significant volunteer recruitment, total volunteer hours, and philanthropic support that came from the community.

“One Albuquerque isn’t a slogan—it’s a call to action to engage every resident and business in a whole-community approach to meet our greatest challenges. Almost 2,500 new volunteers answered that call, and their efforts are making Albuquerque a safer, more inclusive, and more innovative city that works for all its residents,” Mayor Keller said.

The annual report shows substantial growth in volunteer recruitment and engagement at the city level over the past year. Despite the public health emergency and the complications it created for traditional volunteering, the data shows a One Albuquerque spirit unfettered by the Coronavirus. The report highlights include:

• 2,433 new volunteers working with the city in the first six months of 2020, bringing the total number of One Albuquerque volunteers in the system to 10,535.
• 569 new volunteer opportunities in the system with the city and with organizations across Albuquerque.
• Over 34,000 hours logged in the system by volunteers, which translates to more than $842,000 of economic impact contributed by volunteers (based on 2019 data from the Independent Sector).
• $247,049 in federal and philanthropic support for programming through the Corporation for National and Community Service, Cities of Service and AARP. 

"My role as a VISTA Volunteer with the Office of Civic Engagement has helped me grow professionally, personally, and as a member of our community. Our unique work with nonprofits small and large, grassroots movements, and various City departments has not only expanded my professional network, but showed me the depth of Albuquerque's commitment to volunteerism, justice, equity, and community care," said AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Kelsea Kilbride.

The report also covers volunteering by residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities are eligible to receive funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for volunteer work contributed to help maintain critical infrastructure and provide services to residents during the public health emergency. So Far, volunteers have logged over 24,401 hours during the public health emergency, which can bring up to $620,537 dollars right back into Albuquerque to help our city maintain critical services and programming.

“Between city departments and community partners, there are 284 organizations recruiting and managing volunteers through the site. Most organizations pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for software to recruit, manage, and communicate with their volunteers. The city’s new site provides those tools to any organization in Bernalillo County and adjacent counties completely free of charge.  We hope One Albuquerque Volunteers becomes a hub for building community and getting people engaged in volunteerism.”  said Civic Engagement Manager, David Chené.

Link to report: https://www.cabq.gov/abq-volunteers/annual-reports

Link to One Albuquerque Volunteers: https://www.cabq.gov/abq-volunteers