Through the Volunteer Assistance Program, Community Services partners with local volunteer groups to help residents maintain their property. The purpose of the program is to unite owners who cannot properly maintain their property due to age, finance or disability with volunteer groups who wish to provide assistance. Community Services provides the expertise and experience needed during the planning, implementing and evaluating stages of each volunteer project. Volunteer projects involve painting and cleaning-up the exterior of homes that have a code violation, but whose owners lack the resources to abate it. All projects are completed with donated materials at no cost to the resident or the City.

The following requirements do not guarantee or eliminate anyone from receiving assistance; they are simply guidelines that are utilized to assist in determining necessity:

• Reside in the City of Richardson
• Occupy home as homestead
• Demonstrate a hardship such as age, finance, or disability.

Oversight and Review

A member of the Community Services staff will visit the property while the volunteer group is working on a project to ensure the group is progressing according to plan, to answer questions, address concerns and to offer technical advice and council.

Community Services expects all volunteer groups to:

• Perform work to the best of its ability.
• Report to the project as scheduled.
• Follow City and departmental guidelines.
• Provide staff with feedback.

Volunteer groups can expect Community Services to:

• Clearly define goals and tasks.
• Provide as much information as possible.
• Assign projects that are complementary to their talents, skills and interests.
• Provide oversight and review.
• Foster appreciation and recognition for its contributions.

Never volunteered before?

Even if you have never volunteered before, don’t be discouraged from participating in the Volunteer Assistance Program. Community Services assigns projects that are complementary to a group’s talents, skills and interests and provides oversight and review throughout the process. Community Services staff works very hard to ensure that all volunteers have a positive experience by making certain they are assigned projects they have the expertise to successfully complete. If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who would benefit from the program, please contact Community Services.

If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact Community Services at 972-744-4166 or e-mail your questions or concerns to Community Services.