History

Hands On Twin Cities is built on the successful history of two well-established volunteer centers.

The Volunteer Center of Minneapolis was born in 1919 as the Volunteer Service Bureau, under the auspices of the Council of Social Agencies until 1960. In 1977, the organization became a department of the United Way of Minneapolis where it was a part of the Community Resources Division.

The Volunteer Center of St. Paul was founded in 1942 by the Junior League of St. Paul in response to the need to coordinate home-front activities during World War II (its original name was the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office).  As the war ended, community members realized a continuing need for a volunteer office; early activities focused on settlement houses and work with the blind. Expansion included the development of a corps of volunteer drivers assisting with transportation for medical and social service appointments that was eventually transferred to the Red Cross in 1976. In 1975, the efforts were re-focused, a training component for volunteer program managers was added, and the organization was incorporated into the Voluntary Action Center, Inc.

January 2000 marked a new beginning for volunteerism in the Twin Cities. The Volunteer Center of St. Paul and the United Way of Minneapolis Volunteer Center kicked off the 21st century by joining to form the Volunteer Resource Center of the Twin Cities.

Today, Hands On Twin Cities is still the central source for volunteerism in the Twin Cities that meets the needs both of people who want to volunteer and of organizations working with volunteers. We connect individuals and groups with meaningful opportunities to effectively serve and learn, mobilize and manage volunteers, provide leadership development opportunities and facilitate education on social issues.