Over the last several weeks, we have been devastated by the killings of Ahmaud Aubery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.
These tragedies are painful reminders of the long history of injustice and racism in the U.S. that continues to tear our communities apart and leaves us living in fear of one another.
We all know there is another way — a country where we would all live as “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
But we don’t live in that world. George Floyd did not live in that world.
VolunteerMatch was built to help strengthen communities by providing a platform for organizations in our neighborhoods working towards justice, equality, dignity, and opportunity to recruit their neighbors to their causes. For over 20 years, we have worked to build those relationships, and it’s clear that this work is more important than ever before.
As people, first, and collectively as an organization, we do not pretend to have all the answers. We stand for connection and caring. We stand against racism and oppression in all its forms. We seek to elevate underrepresented communities. We are listening to Black voices and continually learning.
These events remind us of the absolute necessity of continuing the work to create a society that supports and values each of its members equally — a society based around compassionate communities, whose members are motivated and empowered to take action to actively improve the world for their fellow human beings through acts of volunteer service and mutual assistance.
We know that we have a long way to go toward this vision being fully realized. We recognize that we, along with our fellow citizens, have an obligation to recognize our role in guaranteeing this outcome.
We commit to ensuring volunteers have access to opportunities with organizations focused on social justice and that they are easily able to support cause areas centered around overcoming systemic issues in our society that disproportionately affect people and communities of color.
And, while we will remain focused on helping people throughout our entire country connect with these causes and give of their time and energy, we also recognize that now, more than ever, it is critical to make donations that support these causes and ensure their doors remain open during these difficult economic times. We encourage everyone to seek out organizations that stand for justice and equity and support them through cash contributions as well as volunteer service.
We stand for justice. We stand for service. We stand with social activists demanding equality. We stand with our communities, in every city, town, and neighborhood across the U.S.. Black lives matter, because justice matters. Period.
But the world will not become more just on its own — that is up to us. We need to listen to each other and find the courage to embrace our failures, our fears and our duty to lift up the voice of justice to make it mean something for you, your community and our future.
Greg Baldin
President and CEO
VolunteerMatch