Volunteer Iowa Updates - September 2025

9/11 Day of Service

As we approach the 9/11 Day of Service, communities across Iowa are coming together to honor this day with impactful volunteer opportunities. From local clean-ups to community outreach, there are numerous ways to get involved and make a difference. Visit 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance | Volunteer Iowa to find projects in your area, or our online volunteer opportunity database to find additional ways to volunteer.

September 11th was designated as a National Day of Service by Congress in 2009 and is led by AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service. AmeriCorps partners with 911Day.org, the nonprofit that, along with 9/11 families, began the 9/11 Day observance more than a decade ago and engages hundreds of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, schools, and businesses nationwide.

Iowa AmeriCorps State Programs Starting the 2025-2026 Program Year

AmeriCorps programs across the state are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members and host site organizations to address community needs. AmeriCorps members are eligible for benefits including a living allowance, health care, childcare, and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Visit Join AmeriCorps on our website to learn more about Iowa AmeriCorps programs and positions. The 18 AmeriCorps programs that Volunteer Iowa supports focus on a wide variety of issues, including educational achievement, economic opportunity, disaster preparedness/response, and organizational capacity building.

Youth Mental Health Corps

Volunteer Iowa was awarded a grant from the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest to support a Youth Mental Health Corps in Iowa. AmeriCorps programs through the City of Dubuque, Iowa State University, and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will offer opportunities for AmeriCorps members ages 18-24 to support youth mental health in schools and communities across the state. Learn more by visiting the Iowa Youth Mental Health Corps website.

Welcome Sheri Bowen to Volunteer Iowa

Sheri Bowen joined the Volunteer Iowa team on Monday, August 11 as an RSVP Volunteer Coordinator, covering Fremont, Mills, Montgomery and Page counties in southwest Iowa. Sheri was born and raised in Malvern and has three sisters. She married a farmer, so never strayed very far from the area.

Sheri attended college at Iowa Western Community College and graduated from Bellevue University with a BS in Business Management. Her previous work experience includes working with Mills County Public Health in Glenwood, starting as Office Manager and then being promoted to Administrator for the next 25 years, the position from which she retired. After retirement in early 2020, Sheri began to work part time for the Iowa Department of Public Health doing COVID response, ending that service in June of 2025. She has also served as a Junior and Senior High School substitute teacher in her local school district.

In her free time, Sheri and her retired farmer husband enjoy spending time with their two children and five grandchildren, who range in age from 6 to 20. Her favorite activities include being a CASA volunteer, reading, golf, tending to her flowers, enjoying sunsets, walking her dogs, wine tasting, and spending time at her family home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Sheri is very passionate about helping her community and is so thankful for this opportunity to work with such a great team to improve the lives of residents in southwest Iowa.

The Volunteer Advantage: Tools for Meaningful Engagement

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
1:00-5:00pm
United Way of Central Iowa, 1111 9th Street, Des Moines

Connect with peers and explore strategies to energize volunteer engagement during this hands-on session hosted by Volunteer Centers of Iowa.

Looking to strengthen volunteer engagement at your organization? Join the Volunteer Centers of Iowa for a high-impact afternoon of learning, discussion, and skill-building for those who manage, support, or work alongside volunteers.

This hands-on training includes:

• A fresh framework for volunteer engagement
• Risk management strategies
• Tools for targeted recruitment and outreach
• Practical guides for orientation, training, and supervision
• Approaches for handling performance issues and fostering appreciation

Engage with your peers in small group activities, self-assessments, and large group discussions designed to leave you inspired and equipped with real-world tools.

Register now to take your volunteer program to the next level.

Iowa Nonprofit Summit - October 1 in Ankeny

Registration is open for the Iowa Nonprofit Summit, the annual nonprofit conference organized by the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance. Join your nonprofit colleagues for a day of education, networking, and revitalization. The Summit will be held in Ankeny on October 1. Learn more and register here. Register in August to get the Early Bird rates!