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PRESS RELEASE

15 September 2014

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Neighbors, Inc., a nonprofit social service agency based in South St Paul and serving northern Dakota County, has been awarded a Blue Ribbon Service Enterprise certification by Points of Light Foundation. A Service Enterprise fundamentally leverages volunteers and their skills to successfully deliver on the social mission of their organizations.

 

With this certification, Neighbors, Inc. becomes one of the first organizations in the United States to be recognized as a Service Enterprise by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. Research conducted by the TCC Group, a national program and evaluation firm, found that organizations operating as Service Enterprises outperform peer organizations on all aspects of organizational effectiveness, and are more adaptable, sustainable and capable of scaling their work through effective volunteer engagement. Furthermore, Neighbors, Inc. is the first Blue Ribbon certified Service Enterprise in the State of Minnesota, meaning that it scored in the 85th percentile among the 330 nonprofits nationwide that completed the Service Enterprise assessment.

 

With support from the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration and Hands On Twin Cities, Neighbors, Inc. completed an extensive assessment, training/consulting, and certification process that led to this recognition. By achieving this level of excellence and certification, Neighbors, Inc. is now better equipped to leverage the time and talent of volunteers in building its organizational capacity.

 

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

Since 1972, Neighbors, Inc. has worked to ensure that all people in the northern Dakota County have the opportunity to live hopeful, independent and self-sufficient lives. More than 1400 volunteers serve their neighbors in need through programs such as a food shelf, Clothes Closet thrift store, transportation and daily check in service for seniors and people with disabilities, holiday assistance, and much more. All donations remain in the neighborhood.

 

For more information regarding volunteer opportunities with Neighbors, Inc., please visit www.neighborsmn.org. For further information regarding the Service Enterprise Initiative, please visit www.pointsoflight.org.

 

CONTACT

David Miller, Director of Volunteer Programs

Neighbors, Inc.

651-306-2145

david@neighborsmn.org

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