Main Street’s community service events provide accessible, inclusive opportunities for Main Street members and the broader community to engage together in meaningful projects to support local nonprofits. These events involve groups doing service projects side by side with Main Street members of all abilities. Individuals with disabilities are often portrayed as the recipients of service, but people of all abilities can and want to contribute to their communities.
What types of groups does Main Street partner with?
Main Street partners with companies, organizations, community groups (such as a book club), or just a group of friends.
What types of service projects does Main Street do?
There are endless possibilities for joint service projects. Recent examples include:
- A team from Prudential Advisors and Main Street members created bracelet-making kits for The Children’s Inn at NIH
- Main Street partnered with Jefferson Apartment Group to assemble lunches for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
Groups can share an idea they have for a service event or nonprofit they wish to support, or Main Street staff can make a suggestion.
What is the commitment?
Main Street staff work together with the group to plan and organize the event. This may require 2-3 phone calls in the lead up to the event. The event itself usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.
How do I get the process started?
Click on the button below to tell us a little bit about your group and any ideas you have. A Main Street team member will get back to you within few days to discuss how we can make a difference together.
Reflections from a service event participant...
There’s a big difference between fitting in and belonging. Belonging is the real game changer. It’s not just, “We’re all wearing these red shirts.” It’s, “We’re here with other volunteers and residents, and all of us have differences, and somehow we all complement each other.” Today I needed someone to read for me because I’m dealing with an eye flare. The person next to me just stepped right in. That’s belonging – people seeing what you need and filling in the gaps without making a thing of it. It’s someone sharing a little piece of themselves with someone who needs a boost. And when I walk in here, I feel completely comfortable – like I’m here every day, even if a whole year has passed.
– Staff Member from Jefferson Apartment Group following a joint service event with Main Street
