For many local nonprofits, having a strong online presence is essential to building trust, reaching new audiences, and advancing their mission. For Jericho Road Pasadena (JRP) volunteer Jason Orellana, his experience in digital marketing and website development has provided an opportunity to help nonprofits strengthen that presence while giving back to the community.
Jason is the founder of Emphasis LA Digital Marketing, where he works as a consultant helping organizations develop and expand their online presence. With approximately 10 years of experience in digital marketing and website development, Jason brings practical expertise in website design and development to his skilled volunteer work with JRP.
“I started volunteering as a way to do good while simultaneously building up my portfolio,” Jason explains. “I have continued helping out because I feel it has made an impact on these nonprofits and their missions.”
Through Jericho Road Pasadena, Jason has supported several local nonprofit organizations, including Art House Pasadena, Pasadena Beautiful, GIRLS 4 Real, and the San Gabriel Women’s Foundation. Each organization has presented its own goals, needs, and challenges, giving Jason the opportunity to apply his technical skills in ways that are tailored to each nonprofit.
For Jason, one of the most meaningful aspects of skilled volunteering is seeing how website development can contribute to a nonprofit’s broader mission.
“Through website development, I feel that we have been able to improve the online presence for various nonprofits,” he says. “Hopefully building trust and increasing their abilities to fulfill their missions.”
A nonprofit’s website is often one of the first places prospective supporters, volunteers, donors, and community members go to learn more about its work. A well-designed and accessible website can help an organization communicate its mission clearly, showcase its impact, and make it easier for people to get involved. Jason’s work helps nonprofits strengthen this important connection with their communities.
Beyond the technical work itself, Jason also values the collaborative nature of skilled volunteering. Working alongside other JRP volunteers and the Jericho Road team has allowed him to contribute his expertise while learning from others and gaining a deeper understanding of the organizations he supports.
“I enjoy working with other volunteers and the Jericho Road team to help out nonprofits,” Jason says. “Each project comes with its own challenges and the people running the nonprofits are very appreciative.”
That combination of collaboration, problem-solving, and community impact is what has kept Jason involved with Jericho Road Pasadena. His experience demonstrates how professional skills can become a meaningful resource for organizations that may not otherwise have access to specialized expertise.
For Jason, skilled volunteering is also an opportunity to see the direct connection between his work and the missions of local nonprofits. By helping organizations improve their websites and online presence, he is helping them communicate more effectively with the people they hope to serve and the supporters they rely on.
Jason’s journey with JRP is an example of how skilled volunteers can make a lasting contribution by sharing what they already know. Whether through website development, digital strategy, communications, or another area of professional expertise, volunteers can help local nonprofits overcome challenges and build the capacity they need to fulfill their missions.
Jason’s advice is reflected in his continued commitment to volunteering: when you have a professional skill that can help others, sharing that expertise can create meaningful benefits for both the volunteer and the organization.
Learn more about Jericho Road Pasadena’s skilled volunteer opportunities and discover how your professional experience can help local nonprofits thrive.