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Hyannis, MA, May 29, 2019 - Cape Abilities is pleased to announce that it was recently recognized at the 2019 Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism for implementing a volunteer engagement model called the Service Enterprise Initiative (SEI). Cape Abilities received the Service Enterprise Initiative Transformation Award presented by the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA). MSA is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the state commission on service and volunteerism and administers the SEI program in Massachusetts. Cape Abilities completed the SEI program and became a certified Service Enterprise by Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, in 2018. The goal of the program is to help organizations enhance their nonprofit capacity through the fundamental and strategic use of volunteers and their skills to address true community needs. "When an organization embraces Service Enterprise on all levels, great things happen," says Emily Haber, CEO of the Massachusetts Service Alliance. "We are proud to honor Cape Abilities, who joined our Cape Cod cohort in 2017.They are an outstanding example of the power of Service Enterprise as they have fully, and with great impact, integrated this model into their organization." "Volunteers create consistency," says James Barnes, Director of Social Enterprises at Cape Abilities, where a critical aspect of its work is to maintain a sense of safety, security, and consistency for the individuals they serve. "Having a dedicated volunteer that is a familiar name and face that engages with our participants is invaluable. That consistency improves everything. It makes the day go more smoothly for the staff. It gives our participants a sense of stability and security. And it gives the volunteer a sense of real purpose and value in their role." Since becoming a Service Enterprise, Cape Abilities has vastly grown and improved their volunteer program. The organization hired a part-time volunteer coordinator, which has led to improved processing and onboarding of volunteers. Cape Abilities' overall individual volunteers and hours served has increased 63%, and the number of volunteer applications received agency-wide has doubled. In Massachusetts, 38 nonprofit organizations and agencies have received their Service Enterprise Initiative certification. The Service Enterprise Initiative is administered nationally by Points of Light, with a network of hubs operating in over 20 states. Cape Abilities is honored and proud to be recognized and certified by Points of Light as a Service Enterprise. We celebrate our volunteers; selfless individuals who give everything they have to improve the quality of life for our participants every day. About Cape Abilities: Cape Abilities is a 501 (c) (3) Massachusetts nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve individuals with disabilities by educating, counseling, providing residential, social, therapeutic and employment supports so as to empower them to achieve meaningful and valued roles in society. The organization operates programs in Hyannis, Eastham, and Falmouth.