Arlington locals with a keen interest in community development are being encouraged to step forward as volunteers for United Way of Tarrant County's grant review process. Partnering with the City of Arlington, United Way is looking to utilize the distinct skills and insights of residents to assess proposals for the 2024-2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) initiatives, according to the City of Arlington.
Prospective volunteers are expected to independently review and score grant proposals using an online platform, offer feedback, and then collectively shape these reviews during a mandatory consensus meeting. Last year, the volunteer team put in upward of 470 hours towards reviewing 32 proposals, playing a pivotal role in fostering the community's progress. To participate, volunteers are required to both live or work within Arlington's bounds.
There's a tight timeline for those willing to commit, with the virtual orientation scheduled for December 5, and the proposal reviews slated to start just a few days later on December 9. The pivotal consensus meeting is arranged for January 14, 2025.
United Way's commitment to drawing upon local perspectives is clear, as they seek volunteers who are deeply embedded in the city's fabric, those who understand first-hand Arlington's unique challenges and opportunities are urged to quickly volunteer. Shanna Snider of United Way requests that interested parties shoot an email with the subject line “UWTC-GA Volunteer Opportunity” by the looming deadline of October 18, 2024, for those ready to act as community stewards.
