YOU DID IT FOR ME - VOLUNTEER COMPANIONS

A Guide and Examples for Posting Social Media Content

Are you a YDI4M volunteer active on social media channels?

Do you desire to share your personal YDI4M experiences with family, friends and colleagues, or inform them of ways to get involved?

As YDI4M volunteers, we accompany vulnerable adults in San Diego's East County through prayer and by connecting them with the resources and support they need to prevent or end homelessness. We believe in the dignity of every individual to secure basic human rights – a home, food, healthcare, education and work – and you act with compassion when interacting with other volunteers, our marginalized neighbors and loving faith communities, charitable businesses and impactful nonprofits.

We like to share what we do in personal and public ways. We’re proud of the work we do and the difference we make in people’s lives. We prepared the following guides for posting content on your social media channels, due to the sensitive nature of YDI4M's work.

1. Visuals - Think creatively. Social media's real power lies in visual content, including graphics, videos and photographs. People are more likely to engage with and remember content with visual elements. However, we must honor and respect individual anonymity. Avoid photographing, videotaping and sharing our neighbors' personal information. Taking photos and videos of other volunteers at events who give their permission are great sources of visual content, but don’t forget infographics, illustrations and slides are visual, too.

2. Respond - Social media is interactive. When someone asks a question or makes a comment, try to respond promptly, even if it’s just, “Thanks for your feedback!” or “That’s so good to hear!”

3. Be Authentic - Social media lets you share and talk about what brings you joy and keeps you going.  

4. Include YDI4M Link and/or logo - Increase awareness of YDI4M by sharing its website link (https://youdidit4me.org) in the body of your text posts. Use hashtags #youdidit4me or #mercymoment2026. YDI4M Logo here.

5. When in doubt, check it out - If you’re unsure about posting content, or you have cool ideas that you’d like to try out, contact me, Elizabeth, at [email protected]. Also, if you get negative comments on your post, Elizabeth is available to help you with a response.

MESSAGING/EXAMPLES:

About YDI4M: 

• In San Diego East County, YDI4M volunteers staff two Community Connections Centers, providing people experiencing homelessness with clothing, food, hygiene supplies, and direct links to housing, healthcare, legal aid, addiction recovery, and employment resources.

• Each month, hundreds seek a path to housing stability and regaining their dignity at You Did It For Me Community Connections Centers.

• YDI4M volunteers pray and walk alongside people experiencing homelessness and connect them to the help they need—mental health services, legal aid, healthcare, housing assistance, food, clothing and guidance.

About the You Are God's Mercy Moment - Lenten Appeal:

• This Lent, let your almsgiving be a Work of Mercy. Join YDI4M in raising $100K to continue providing San Diego East County neighbors with the resources they need to uplift their dignity. A weekly update on the progress toward the goal is online at You Are God's Mercy Moment - Lenten Collection https://youdidit4me.org/you-are-gods-mercy-moment-lenten-collection

• From healthy food, access to services, connections for shelter, filling monthly transportation passes to job readiness — small actions create ripples. Across San Diego East County, people are coming together to uplift one another in meaningful ways. A donated jacket, a resume-building session, a moment of listening, face-to-face connections to supportive people — each one matters.

• YDI4M works of mercy prove that support doesn't need to be loud to be powerful. Your time, voice and money all count. Every contribution helps men and women rebuild, seniors feel seen, and the vulnerable find safe connections. Choose YDI4M for your almsgiving. This Lent, hear firsthand from guest writers how YDI4M impacts lives. Sign up for daily Lenten reflections - https://youdidit4me.org/join-email-list