Community Thread (formerly Community Volunteer Service and Senior Centers) is part of a national network serving as the primary local leadership organization working to promote and support effective community volunteerism and involvement, serving non-profit agencies needing volunteers and meeting community needs through volunteer resources. Community Thread provides the following direct service programs as they relate to volunteerism and senior services: Stillwater and Bayport Senior Centers, The Volunteer Center, Transportation Program, Neighborhood Service Exchange and the Holiday Bureau.

Community Thread was founded in 1967. For forty-two years, we have served the community by:

• Providing high quality senior programming at the Stillwater and Bayport Senior Centers;
• Providing information and support to seniors and their families;
• Mobilizing volunteers to meet community needs;
• Recognizing volunteers who make a difference in the communities where they serve;
• Building public awareness and understanding of the importance of volunteerism;
• Providing training and technical assistance to volunteer professionals;
• Recruiting and matching volunteer drivers to individuals without means to get to necessary appointments;
• Building and strengthening communities through neighbor-to-neighbor barter relationships;
• Matching community volunteers to families in need of assistance during the holidays.

MISSION

Our mission is to promote, support, and encourage volunteerism to serve the needs of the community. Through direct and indirect services we impact issues of poverty, volunteer management, and senior involvement and isolation. We sustain volunteerism by connecting people and enriching lives.

BELIEFS AND VALUES

The Board, staff, and volunteers of Community Thread believe that through volunteer service people have the capacity to enrich their own lives and improve the quality of life for others in their communities. We believe that an active volunteer community creates an environment in which all people thrive.

Community Thread also values the contributions of older adults in our community. Adults at retirement age have time to pursue other interests and activities and need the interaction with others to remain involved in the community. Community Thread is able to offer a wide variety of opportunities to be involved in community, as well as, activities to keep mind and body alert.

Community Thread realizes that we are at our best when we engage in collaborative efforts that bring together individuals, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, government, nonprofit, faith-based and other community organization to achieve a common vision of better communities. Whenever possible programs are planned and delivered as a collaborative effort.

BOARD, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

An 18 member volunteer Board of Directors guides the organization. A staff of eleven full and part-time employees and the work of 1,172 volunteers deliver our programs and services.