Our Purpose
Our purpose is to inspire a more engaged community by helping people find their purpose and act on it.
Our Vision
Our vision is to transform the world by cultivating volunteers and enabling leaders in the South Plains.
Our Mission
Our mission is to connect, empower, and transform the community through purposeful volunteerism and leadership development.
The Volunteer Center of Lubbock was first established in 1990 to connect volunteers with community needs and to provide nonprofit management assistance to area nonprofit organizations. When you ask us what we do, we will tell you we are in the business of community engagement. When you ask us why, we will tell you that we believe a more engaged community has the potential to transform the world. Our work is made possible due to our history of strong collaborative partnerships. We strive to keep a close relationship with our 100+ Agency Partners in order to build a culture of service throughout the South Plains. Beyond that, we strive to develop the next generation of leaders through our partnerships with 40 area middle and high schools, as well as through service and leadership programming specifically geared towards youth and young professionals.
We are committed to developing high performing teams in all areas of our community, whether for profit, nonprofit, or otherwise. We also work to obtain and sustain partnerships with local organizations and businesses in an effort to help the entire community grow and flourish. We are affiliated with the Lubbock Area United Way, Texas Association of Volunteer Centers, Nonprofit Management Association of Texas, Board Source, and Hands On Network. These collaborations provide wide access to information and resources dealing with volunteerism and nonprofit management. In 2020, the Volunteer Center of Lubbock provided services to over 50,000 people across the South Plains.
Our Team
Sharon Hyde Bass
Executive Director
Sharon has the joy of overseeing all programs and services of the Volunteer Center’s community engagement business. Her delight is in seeing people with a desire to help being connected with opportunities that need what they have to offer. Her personal mission of facilitating, encouraging, and supporting people in maximizing their uniqueness to change the world has been an ideal fit with the Volunteer Center’s purpose. Her roles include enterprise strategy and alignment, program development, staff development, and relationship building. She also provides training, facilitation, and consultation on a wide range of topics. She has a BS in Elementary Education from UT-Austin and a MS in Human Development from TTU.
Sharon has volunteered extensively. Currently, she serves on the TTU Center for Public Service Advisory Board, and the Junior League of Lubbock Advisory Board. She has been honored with the YWCA Woman of Excellence Award (2010), the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award (2013), the Women in Communications George Mahon Award (with Byrnie – 2014), the Rita Harmon United Way Award (with Byrnie – 2015), and the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Connect Award (2016).
Besides cooking, Sharon enjoys reading, gardening, eating yummy foods (at places near and far) and spending time with family and friends.
Emily Smith
Engagement Manager
Riley Taguwa
Service
Riley is from Frisco, Texas and came to Lubbock in 2016 to attend Texas Tech University. During her senior year of college, Riley started an internship at the Volunteer Center as the Media & Communication Intern and in the spring, became a Student Assistant. Riley graduated in 2020 with a degree in Communication Studies from the College of Media and Communication. After graduating, she decided to stay in Lubbock and work full-time at the Volunteer Center as the Engagement Coordinator. She loves being able to work with adults, youth and families to find their best volunteer fit and to give back to the Lubbock community.
Riley enjoys quality time with her friends and family, diet lemonade from Chick-fil-A and walks with her black lab, Beau.
Kayla Thrasher
Communications and Operations
Kayla was born and raised in Lubbock. After graduating from Coronado High School, she went on to get her degree at Texas Tech University. There she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Media and Communication. Kayla started as an intern at the Volunteer Center, and now works full time doing all things communications and operations. As a Lubbock native, she is excited to give back to the city and help it thrive.
In her down time, Kayla enjoys traveling and all things outdoors with her husband, Brandt, and her dog, Colt.
Kaley Ihfe
HYPE Coordinator
Kaley Ihfe started working for the Volunteer Center in May 2021 as the Leadership Development Manager. In June 2023, she became the Director of Lavish HOPE, a part of HOPE Network Ministries. She also remains as the HYPE coordinator at the Volunteer Center. Kaley loves the HYPE program and working with high school students!
Kaley’s past work experiences include being the Campus Activities Director at Abilene Christian University, teaching middle school students, and being a middle school counselor. She has a BS in Communication, a MEd in School Counseling, and a MA in Christian Ministry - all from Abilene Christian University. She is active in her church, Lubbock ISD, and various nonprofits in the community. She and her husband, Karl, have two children - a sophomore in college and a senior in high school.
Tanusha Nath
Student Assistant
Tanusha Nath is a Lubbock Local. She attended Lubbock High School and now attends Texas Tech University where she is working to get a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry while being on the pre-med track! She has been a part of the Volunteer Center Of Lubbock since 7th grade and participated in programs such as United Way Youth Division, Youth For Impact, and HYPE. She was a non-profit fellow during the summer and is now a part-time Student Assistant!
Tanusha loves anything chocolate flavored, hanging out with her friends, and helping others!
Our Board of Directors
Brandi Price
Atmos Energy
President
Wyatt Leavell
Victory Bank
Past President
Cory Powell
TTU Office of Campus Access & Engagement
Vice President
Jon Mark Bernal
TTU Student Union & Activities
Treasurer
