Why Marin?

Marin has the highest per capita income in the country-just under $50,000.

So why should you give your time to volunteer in a county as rich as Marin? 

The truth is that this statistic masks the reality of our county....

• About 23,000 families—35% of the population—fall below the self-sufficiency standard.  They do not have the means to cover the basic costs of living-food, transportation, child care, taxes.
• However, eligibility for federal assistance is based on the federal poverty level.  Only 3000 of our county’s families qualify for this aide.
• A family of three headed by a single parent would need to make at least $68,000 just to make ends meet.  That’s the equivalent of working 4 minimum wage jobs.

I receive a $1200/month stipend working as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America).  $1200 needs to cover rent (an average of $1600/month in Marin County), food, transportation, and health care.  As you can imagine, the numbers do not add up.  However, I am fortunate to be young, single, and living with a roommate who has a stable job.  I am honored to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA because I want to make a difference in our community and pledged my commitment to serve willing and ready to live a year in poverty.  Yet, within my commitment lies the key difference that separates me from the families trying to make ends meet in Marin—I will serve for a year in poverty. 

23,000+ families in Marin are struggling year after year to be self-sufficient, and if I am certain that this number would grow exponentially if Marin nonprofits were not present to help empower their community to strive for change.  In order to serve, Marin nonprofits need money, resources, and time in order to help create social change.  So, the next time you have a chance to reflect on your life’s successes and struggles, consider lending your most valuable assets—your time and experience—with those around you.  You can make an impact in Marin by helping to address issues which can break the cycle of poverty in our community.

Volunteer Marin.

Facts for this post were taken from the Marin Community Foundation report on "An Overview of Poverty in Marin County." For this report and other publications created by the Marin Community Foundation, please go to www.marincf.org.  For information on Volunteer Opportunities in Marin, go to www.VolunteerMarin.org.