Volunteering time and effort to an organization for over 20 years is no easy task. It requires passion, drive and dedication to making an impact in the lives of others. Oaks considers itself very fortunate to have generous volunteers committed to our mission. Charles Robinson, a longtime volunteer and supporter of Oaks, serves on the Ethics and Human Rights Committee and shares his story of building healthy, strong communities.
The Journey Begins
Mr. Robinson started his journey with Oaks Integrated Care (then Family Service) in 1998 as a part-time Outreach Coordinator. As a retired Philadelphia educator with over 30 years of experience, he knew he wanted to continue making a difference in the community after retirement. Within just a few weeks, he took on the role of Supervisor of the Volunteer Program which gave him the opportunity to work alongside diverse groups of people throughout the organization.
Ethics and Human Rights Committee Volunteer
A few years later, Mr. Robinson transitioned to a volunteer and joined the Oaks Ethics and Human Rights Committee which he continues to serve on today. He understands the value of his work and takes great pride in being a part of the committee after all these years. He has witnessed its growth and evolution shape the culture of Oaks. “Protecting people is valuable,” explained Mr. Robinson. “And our committee is dedicated to serving minority groups in our community.”
Most recently, the Committee has focused their time connecting minority employees and consumers with accurate and accessible information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Although Black Americans are roughly three times more likely to be hospitalized for the coronavirus than White Americans, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that around 35% of Black adults do not plan on getting the vaccine. Mr. Robinson shares, “There is a lot of discomfort and mistrust among communities of color surrounding the vaccine due to historical reasons. We want people in Oaks programs to feel a sense of empowerment and control over their own health in order to make educated decisions.”
What it Means to Make a Difference
After dedicating over two decades of time and talent to Oaks, Mr. Robinson continues to educate others on what it means to make a difference. If you are able to contribute your time to Oaks’ mission, please consider supporting our community. “It’s good for you,” shared Charles. “There are no rocking chairs for experience and intelligence.”
