• Over 125,000 searches came through our website from prospects seeking volunteer opportunities.  Our online database lists 312 jobs at 146 agencies. 
• The Guide to Volunteering -- a 100+page book listing volunteer jobs, project ideas, links, tips and other useful information – was distributed free of charge to hundreds of local schools and 67 libraries.  Spot assessments verify that the book is well used by students, parents and adults seeking meaningful ways to volunteer.  The book can be downloaded from our website at no cost, and hard copies, which were printed free-of-charge by a local corporation, are available for purchase for a nominal fee to cover postage. 
• Nearly 200 volunteers from 16 nonprofit agencies were given a public pat on the back at “Celebrate Volunteers,” a community recognition event we host every Spring.
• 3,523 people in need, including 734 families and 1,014 disabled or elderly individuals, had their “wish lists” fulfilled by 796 willing donors through our All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving Program.  Partner nonprofit agencies verified requests and donors provided approximately $300,000 in gifts and gift cards.

• We coordinated judging panels for two prestigious corporate volunteer programs:  PSEG’s Recognizing Excellence in Volunteerism awards and BD’s Henry Becton Award for Community Impact.

• 32 member companies participated in strategic initiatives that help low income families and their children.
• 12 companies collected 4,000 new books, providing 600 pre-school children each with five brand new books in a colorful bookbag.  Each bag contained an age-appropriate reading list and tips to encourage parent-child interaction with the goal of fostering a love of reading. 
• 10 companies donated $11,000 worth of “kid-friendly” food and cash benefiting children who receive free or reduced-cost meals at school but not during the summer.  The goal is to reduce hunger and promote healthy eating during the summertime.
• 7 companies collected $16,000-worth of school supplies which were distributed through schools and youth-serving organizations, enabling children of low-income families to start school well prepared with supplies.
• 74 corporate volunteers participated at 6 project sites in September, helping to clean up the environment, build bee hives, help construct a park, and other needed tasks.
• The BVC developed two community gardens that provide food for needy families, increase access to fresh food and promote healthy living.

• Trained 39 new mentors and initiated 39 new mentoring matches.

• Supported 117 ongoing mentor-youth relationships in which each mentor meets weekly with a youth for at least a year.

• Continued Family Orientation sessions for parents and youth new to the program, getting mentoring relationships off to a good start.

• Provided workshops and gatherings to solidify and strengthen the mentoring relationships, including holiday parties, a trip to the Bronx Zoo, book fair with free books, and a fantastic picnic hosted by a local middle school.

Mentoring Youth's first-ever comprehensive evaluation was completed in 2013. Data were collected over a period of two years from parents, youth and volunteer mentors.  Here are the results:

• Mentees were very satisfied with the mentoring relationship, with the support and guidance provided by mentors; with the strong bond that developed; and with the opportunities that mentoring offered.  
• Mentees’ knowledge of mentoring evolved over time. Mentoring was perceived as providing new opportunities for learning and engaging in social/recreational activities.
• Mentors received significant support from the Mentoring Youth program and were satisfied with the mentoring relationships.
• Mentors are confident in their abilities as mentors.
• Parents perceived mentoring as providing trusting relationships, guidance to their children, and new opportunities for children to learn. 

Mentoring Moms

• Supported 54 ongoing mentor-mother matches.
• Trained 28 new mentors and initiated 24 new mentor-mother matches.
• Sponsored workshops and family activities to supplement the mentoring relationship including bi-monthly mentor refreshers, a family holiday breakfast, a special-education review workshop for moms, a back-to-school conference for moms and kids, a book fair with free books to foster a love of reading, a night of makeovers at a local beauty salon, a holiday party, and a Moms & Mentors Celebration.

• Provided repair services for 1,957 senior and/or disabled clients.
• Completed 4,736 home repairs, free-of charge except for the cost of parts.  
• Logged 9,774 hours of volunteer service.  

• In June we graduated the Class of 2013 and admitted 30 members of the Class of 2014.
• We now boast more than 140 well-trained graduates who are eager to step up their engagement as civic leaders.
• Each monthly seminar is evaluated and routinely receives top marks for content and delivery. 
• The Civic Engagement Survey given to every Bergen LEADS participant before they begin the program and one year after showed a jump of 10-15 points in every category measured:  voting record, contact with public officials, involvement in community issues/politics, volunteering, contributing to a charity, etc. 
• Bergen LEADS presented 3 Fifth Friday luncheons, each of which was sold out at 220 guests.  High profile speakers, hot topics and leaders from every sector are an excellent fit with LEADS' stated purpose of developing civic leaders, expanding networks and exploring current issues.
• The Bergen LEADS Public Forum in June focused on The Future of Nonprofits. Following months of diligent research, the class recommended new strategies for nonprofits highlighting local successes and innovative models embraced by other communities.
• Alumni of Bergen LEADS (ABL) has become a dynamic graduate organization that maintains and develops relationships, serves the community, learns about local needs and resources, influences public policy and ensures program sustainability.  50% of graduates over the first five years have officially joined ABL.

We continued our Points of Light "Innovation Hub" project to adapt Bergen LEADS as a model that can be utilized by schools.  We worked closely with school administrators in Englewood and Ridgewood to develop and present Teen LEADS, utilizing a curriculum that incorporates civic engagement while helping students discover their leadership potential.

We offered the Youth Leadership Institute in June to an energetic group of young teens. This unique training program is designed to help prepare the next generation for leadership.  Out of YLI has emerged "Ready,Set,Serve" - a one-week summer service "camp" offered twice during the summer of 2014.

Staff serves on the GenerationOn Advisory Council, providing guidance to the vibrant youth-service arm of HandsOn Network.