Volunteer Profiles - Meet Johnny

For the first time, the Volunteer Center has more volunteers wanting to volunteer in the community than opportunities available. The need is still huge for volunteers, so why is this happening? Johnny Shamoun, the Volunteer Center’s new AmeriCorp Vista member, is here to help figure that out and connect volunteers to community need.

“During the pandemic, organizations had to make cuts and they may not have staffing available to mobilize needed volunteers,” states Johnny. “The need is still there, maybe more than ever.” Johnny says his job is to help local organizations get “back into the swing of things” with volunteer mobilization.

In the one month that Johnny has been with the Volunteer Center, he has spent his time connecting with organizations, learning where the needs are and connecting eager volunteers to those needs. One of the huge needs in Santa Cruz County is mobilizing volunteers to address food insecurities at local organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank, Grey Bears, Community Bridges, Loaves and Fishes and other food banks. By making connections with these organizations and with volunteers, Johnny is able to help fill that gap in community volunteer mobilization.

“I love seeing organizations succeed,” states Johnny. “I want to be a part of helping organizations recover from the effects of the pandemic in a community I care about.” When Johnny relocated to Santa Cruz to take the AmeriCorp Vista position, he noticed that people here are “different” than in other communities. “People here are so willing to help, to step up. Santa Cruz has such a welcoming vibe,” he says.

Johnny says his strength is connecting with people and causes he cares about. He would love to hear from local nonprofits and organizations who could use a helping hand with filling volunteer positions and opportunities. To connect with Johnny, send him an email at americorps@scvolunteercenter.org