While no two projects will be the same, successful projects will share a few common practices. We encourage you to incorporate the following elements into your service project:

• Create a team with your friends and neighbors to share the effort
• Set  goals and track your progress to those goals
• Celebrate your successes together

Step One: IDENTIFY LOCAL FOOD AND HOUSING NEEDS

No one knows your community better than you and your neighbors do. This winter, take proactive steps to address the challenges you see daily and generate solutions that work in your neighborhood. Whether you and your team decide to partner with the local library to refurbish reading rooms or to organize a meal distribution at a community center, you already have the resources you need to get started.

• Search www.uwgnh.org and www.jewishnewhaven.org to find out what’s already happening in your community. If you see a service gap, consider creating your own project.
• Brainstorm with friends and local leaders about what your community most needs.
• Visit the Corporation for National and Community Service for in depth guides to identifying local needs, and for suggested service activities.

Step Two: BUILD A TEAM

Teams can help share the work, motivate members, and hold each other accountable. Teams build community. Ask your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and faith group members to serve with you.

• Host a house meeting or pot luck to choose a project, set goals, recruit volunteers, and plan next steps.
• Get a guide for hosting a house meeting.
• Contact Cecily Jones, Volunteer Engagement Coodinator, at volunteer@uwgnh.org, to post your volunteer or fundraiser activity to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine events. 

Step Three: SET A GOAL

Set a service goal within the timeframe of Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine,  and hold yourself accountable. Commit as individuals and as a team to setting goals that can make a measurable impact. Then keep track of how you are doing and designate someone to be responsible for updating the group on how you are progressing toward your goals. You’ll be surprised at how much you can do when you commit, focus, and follow through. Don't know where to start? Click here to get a guide for setting goals.

Step Four: SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY

The key to effective service is planning. Organize your materials, make confirmation calls and, if you have time, read supplemental materials before you volunteer.

• Get a tip sheet for your service activity.
• Visit the Hands on Network website for in depth guides on running volunteer activities.

Step Five: REPORT AND CELEBRATE SUCCESSES

We want to know about your successes and hear your stories!  We will highlight your stories throughout the Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine. Tell us about your successes and what you have learned, and how you Heart Your Neighbor. Send photos and videos to volunteer@uwghn.org so that we can put them on our website!