Mina Jeffery, volunteer coordinator for Interfaith Community Services, gives an orientation for new volunteers.

Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star

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When Mina Jeffery found her niche as a volunteer coordinator for Interfaith Community Services, she was gratified to find that her efforts were also helping to fill a niche that enriches people's lives.

"Nonprofits fill niches in the community that for-profit agencies and businesses don't have the time or manpower to fill," said Jeffery, the 2007 recipient of the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona Bruce Blake Award. "And because nonprofits are concerned about providing services rather than making money, they make Tucson a better place."

The award, which recognizes service of an administrator of volunteers whose dedicated efforts allow volunteers to produce significant achievements, is one of six Community of Hearts Awards granted annually to celebrate individuals and groups that have made a lasting impact on the community.

Others honorees at the dinner to be held at Marriott University Park on Thursday include Mari Ann Finlayson from St. Elizabeth's Health Center; Jerry LeMay of Habitat for Humanity; Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona board of directors; Community Justice Board Program/Pima County Attorney's Office; and Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department Lt. Raul Rodriguez from Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona.

Jeffery highlights the vital but often overlooked role of administrators in nonprofit and volunteer organizations, according to Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona President and Chief Executive Officer Ellen Hargis.

"She does the critical job of creating an infrastructure so volunteers can be effective," Hargis said. "We see lots of organizations that recruit volunteers, and the volunteers go in and there is no one to tell them what to do: no one to provide job assignments and no one to orient or train them, so volunteers get frustrated and they leave."

The role of volunteer coordinator has come naturally to Jeffery, 33, who had a history with nonprofit organizations before commandeering Interfaith Community Service's force of 600 volunteers last year.

"I have always worked in situations where we depended on volunteers to get things done, and they are such integral parts of the organizations I have worked for that it made sense to focus on that," said the Tucson native and University of Arizona graduate.

On a personal level, Jeffery finds it gratifying to assist people in channeling their time and energy into worthwhile activities.

"I am helping people find something meaningful for themselves, and to get more out of their volunteer experiences," she said. "It is an extra bonus to work for an organization like Interfaith Community Services that is helping others in the community to live independently and to improve their lives."

Interfaith Community Services assists more than 22,000 people annually, providing caregiving and support services to seniors and aiding individuals and families in financial crisis. Founded as Northwest Interfaith Center in 1985, it extended services throughout the city two years ago and often provides assistance with medication, rent and utilities as well as support for uniforms, license fees and other aid to help recipients become self-sufficient.

The mission meshes with Jeffery's personal philosophy for serving mankind.

"My mom used to say, 'Always look out for your fellow man,' and she is a counselor who is always trying to take care of others," she said. "My father has always been a volunteer in the community, and I have always had that example that volunteering is a really important thing to do."