WHAT WE DO

Doing Good Together wants to make it easy for families to volunteer. We have programs tailored for individuals and other programs for people who prefer to volunteer with other families through their faith group, school or work.

DOING GOOD TOGETHER IN THE SCHOOLS

This initiative was launched in the Minneapolis area during the 2006-2007 academic year. The pilot proved so successful that DGT now offers a comprehensive program for integrating family service into elementary schools all year long. This package provides the motivation, inspiration, training, support and guidance to help school families serve others.

FAMILY FAITH WORKS (FFW)

In collaboration with a church in the Twin Cities area, DGT created a nonsectarian, faith-based initiative called Family Faith Works (FFW). This is a comprehensive family service program for faith communities that was piloted in 2006-2007. Learn about all the services and products we offer faith groups.

CUSTOMIZED EVENTS

DGT assists organizations in planning volunteer events geared specifically to their families, resulting in a strengthened sense of community and a shared bond of contribution. Projects can range from a simple activity to get your feet wet or a full Family Service Day. We help identify appropriate projects; coordinate and execute the event (including an education and reflection component); and provide follow-up support and suggestions for ongoing volunteerism. Click here for more information.

MATERIALS

DGT has developed support materials to encourage family volunteer initiatives and to help families reflect on a project afterward. A range of material is available, from checklists to entire manuals.

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS

DGT offers presentations and workshops related to family volunteerism:

Workshops for parent groups on such topics as “Family Volunteering: Simple Ways to Weave Service into Your Hectic Life” and “Compassionate Kids: 10 Steps to Growing a Caring Child.”
Presentation for civic groups and service organizations that highlights the multiple benefits of family volunteering and the tools available to facilitate it.
Workshop for service-learning providers that offers simple, practical strategies and materials for building partnerships between school, family and community to enrich service learning, increase academic achievement and create a culture of service.
Effective-practice workshops for nonprofit agencies concerned with family volunteer management.

FRESH FAMILY VOLUNTEER IDEAS (FREE!)

DGT canvases the Twin Cities to compile a listing of clever and creative family volunteer projects. This unique list is ideal for families seeking ongoing volunteer projects. Organizations typically print the list in their newsletter, post it on their website or simply hand it out to parents and grandparents. Includes five different family volunteer opportunities 10 months a year. Click here to receive a free email subscription to this list.

GET INSPIRED WITH OUR E-NEWSLETTER (FREE!)

Our monthly newsletter offers simple service ideas, family stories and pointers for starting discussions with children about specific social issues. Each month we address a new topic, such as homelessness, reflecting on gratitude, charity-centered gift-giving, and doing kid-sized fundraisers. Sign up now. You can also browse our past issues.

RESOURCE FOR MEDIA

Jenny Friedman, Executive Director of Doing Good Together, is a nationally recognized expert on family volunteering. She provides interviews to local and national media on issues related to youth and family volunteering and on raising compassionate children. To contact her, call (612.822.6502) or email (jenny@doinggoodtogether.org).

PUBLICATIONS ON VOLUNTEERISM

Executive Director Jenny Friedman wrote The Busy Family’s Guide to Volunteering (Robins Lane Press, 2003), one of the first books to address this critical issue. Click here for a list of her articles and book chapters. Friedman is currently working on a manual for implementing family service programs in schools and faith groups, and a “kitchen table” project book for families and organizations interested in at-home service opportunities.

IN THE WORKS AT DGT

DGT is beginning work on two new initiatives:

Developing a “small group model” for families that are ready to more fully integrate social justice and service into their lives.
Creating family service opportunities tailored to low-income neighborhoods. New research indicates that family service is “an emerging strategy for strengthening low-income families with children.” [Family Volunteering: Nurturing Families, Building Community, National Human Services Assembly]