DDD Honors Its Volunteers During Appreciation Day Event

Volunteers are an incredibly valuable addition to the teams of nonprofits and government agencies alike. Through this partnership, organizations receive the support of some of the most passionate and dedicated individuals within the community, and volunteers are provided the opportunity to continue to give their time and attention to the communities they hold most dear.

The DES Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) hosted its Volunteer Appreciation Event this week, which is National Volunteer Appreciation Week, to celebrate and thank the hundreds of volunteers who serve alongside the DDD team. The Division relies on volunteers to help guide policies and procedures through organizations like the Governor-appointed Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council, the Program Review Committees, and the Independent Oversight Committees. Additionally, volunteers who work with the DDD team in its offices play a huge supportive role in helping DDD to be the best human services agency possible for its members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “The DDD system that supports [individuals with developmental disabilities] is large and complex, and very much involves DDD volunteers,” said DDD Assistant Director, Zane Garcia-Ramadan.

The Volunteer Appreciation Celebration featured a slate of prominent community leaders, including messages from Governor Katie Hobbs and Senator Kristen Sinema. During her remarks, DES Director Angie Rodgers stated, “We are extremely grateful for your commitment to the individuals that are served by DDD and providing your time, for free, which is amazing, and your talents to the countless oversight groups, and services that the department offers is invaluable.”

Attendees were also treated to live music, laughter, and lunch. “We hope that this will serve as just a small representation of the immense amount of appreciation, respect, and gratitude that we have for all of you,” said AD Garcia-Ramadan.

During an awards presentation, two organizations and six individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions and commitment to DDD members and families:

“There is one thing I can say for certain and that is that DDD would not be able to as effectively support the people we serve without the DDD Volunteers that help support that system,” said AD Garcia-Ramadan. “Thank you to every single person here for dedicating your time, skills, and effort to supporting this wonderful population.”

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please view open opportunities.