History

VolunteerLEON began in December 1991, as a program internal to Leon County government called Volunteer Services, staffed by a single employee and solely served internal county offices.  Volunteer Services implemented a volunteer program for the County library system, started an internship program for county departments, and enacted an administrative leave program for county employees to volunteer in our community. Over the years, the Director of Leon County Volunteer Services was called upon to conduct workshops and presentations on volunteerism, provide technical assistance to organizations starting volunteer programs, and assist with the recruitment of volunteers for special events as well as on-going opportunities at other organizations.  That decade established the County's program as the premier expert on volunteerism and in 2002 Leon County Volunteer Services was certified as a Volunteer Center by the Volunteer Center National Network and the Points of Light Foundation.  

The new status as a Volunteer Center represented the leading edge of a national movement that brings people together to solve serious social problems hands on. Volunteerism is a cherished and traditional American quality. The Leon County Board of County Commission recognized that perhaps at no time in our country's history has the need for people to engage in service to their communities been more urgent. Each citizen-no matter what age or income bracket –has something important to offer.  It was decided that if the County's Volunteer Center can harness even a portion of this untapped talent, the Big Bend area can make enormous strides toward making our community a better place in which to live. 

• Started in 1991 by Leon County Board of County Commissioners

• Coordinated and expanded County library volunteer program

• Started the Welcome Center in the Leon County Courthouse

• Became state mandated Emergency Support Function 15 in 1994

• Created innovative concept of the Volunteer Connection online in 1994

• Founded Big Bend Directors of Volunteers Association in 1994

• Passed Disaster Leave Law, first County in the state, in 1994

• Started the award winning Youth Corps program in 2000

• Established Project Leon Employees Are Dedicated in 2001

• Awarded Points of Light Foundation Volunteer Center Status in 2002

• Founded Network of Young Professionals in 2003

• Established Volunteer Management Excellence Award in 2004

• Launched www.VolunteerLEON.org/VolunteerConnection in April 2005

• Implemented first program in the Big Bend area to match faith-based volunteers and vulnerable citizens for disasters in April 2006

• Established special compensation provisions for non-essential employees to working for ESF 15 in August 2006

As a Volunteer Center certified by the Points of Light Foundation and the National Volunteer Center Network, VolunteerLEON facilitates infrastructure development of local community based organization, raise public awareness of volunteerism, and build partnerships and model programs for volunteers and volunteer organizations. Check out our programs and services to find out which program is right for you or contact us at (850) 606-1970 or VolunteerLEON@leoncountyfl.gov.