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Volunteer Garland reports 1,200 active volunteers and new $87,000 grant as city program scales
Summary
Staff told Garland council that Volunteer Garland has grown since its citywide launch in June 2025 to about 2,200 registered accounts and roughly 1,200 active volunteers; an $87,000 TCEQ grant funded equipment and the program estimates $500,000–$750,000 in community value generated in 18 months.
Parks and Recreation staff presented an 18‑month report for Volunteer Garland on July 20, detailing the program’s rapid growth since its June 2025 launch and steps to institutionalize volunteer operations across city departments.
Josue Diaz, Volunteer Program Manager, said the system now supports more than 2,200 registered volunteer accounts, about 1,200 active volunteers, and 156 completed volunteer opportunities. Diaz said staff implemented volunteer management software, built operational standards and a custom Volunteer Garland trailer, and used a roughly $87,000 TCEQ grant to buy cleanup equipment, safety supplies and trailer outfitting. “Volunteer Garland was created around a simple idea. Strong communities are built when residents and local governments work together,” Diaz said.
Councilmembers praised the outreach and social media that helped spur participation and asked how residents can join. Diaz directed residents to the program website and staff contact: “If people wanna get involved, the easiest thing is go to volunteergarland.org. If you wanna interact with a human being, send me an email, volunteer@garlandtx.org.gov, and we'll give you a call.” Staff told council the program has expanded across 13 city departments and aims to move from an event‑based effort to a long‑term civic engagement strategy.
Council members encouraged continued partnership with neighborhood groups and nonprofit partners and thanked staff for the program’s early results.
