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Volunteer Garland reports 2,200 registered accounts, $87,000 TCEQ grant and expanded citywide projects
Summary
Staff told council Volunteer Garland has grown to about 2,200 registered accounts and 1,200 active volunteers, supported by an $87,000 TCEQ grant funding equipment and a trailer; staff asked council to promote the program and use volunteergarland.org to sign up.
City parks staff and Volunteer Garland’s program manager gave an 18-month briefing to the Garland City Council on July 20, describing rapid program growth and next steps for institutionalizing volunteer support across departments.
D'Lee Williams (Parks & Recreation) introduced Josue Diaz, who said the Volunteer Garland system launched citywide in June 2025 after a pilot in spring 2025. Diaz said the program implemented volunteer-management software, a custom Volunteer Garland trailer, and a funded operational model supported by an $87,000 TCEQ grant that paid for equipment and safety supplies. "Volunteer Garland was created around a simple idea. Strong communities are built when residents and local governments work together," Diaz said.
Diaz presented participation metrics: about 2,200 registered volunteer accounts, roughly 1,200 active volunteers, and more than 156 completed volunteer opportunities. He estimated the program had generated between $500,000 and $750,000 in community value over the period and noted that the program now supports 13 city departments and uses volunteergarland.org as its public signup and coordination platform.
Council members praised program outreach and social-media visibility and offered to help recruit volunteers for planned cleanups — Council Member Thomas said neighborhood residents near Duck Creek are eager to participate. Diaz asked council to continue promoting the program and described how residents can sign up via volunteergarland.org or by emailing volunteer@garlandtx.org.gov. Staff said the program will shift focus from proving interest to building sustainable operational systems to support long-term growth.
