Saipan Recovery Continues

AmeriCorps sent this bulletin at 09/17/2015 01:13 PM EDT

Saipan Recovery Continues

AmeriCorps members with TXCC and CCMNI - along with AmeriCorps CNMI partner together

Program Exchange: AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team members from Texas Conservation Corps (American Youth Works) and Minnesota & Iowa Conservation Corps and the members of the AmeriCorps CNMI program engaged in team building exercises and program sharing at an event this week. They also heard from FEMA and CNCS staff about the other National Service opportunities and walked away with a better understanding of each other's cultures and homes as well as how AmeriCorps can help define career aspirations while literally taking you across the world.

National Service Response

10 AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT) members from Texas Conservation Corps and Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa along with a CNCS Disaster Cadre member are supporting the local VOAD, long term recovery committee, and community in response to Typhoon Soudelor. Since arriving in Saipan at the beginning of September, the team has created a resource guide and directory, compiled data on response activities, and supported the donations management. They continue to work on strengthening the volunteer and donations coordination structure by developing trainings, outreach, website development, and ongoing support to the VOAD as they work towards recovery.

News: Saipan Tribune

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West Virginia Service Awards

WV Disaster Corps Member to Receive Governor's Service Award

Christin Shinaberry has stepped up to make a real difference in her community through her AmeriCorps and Disaster Corps service. Her contributions have led to her being chosen as a recipient of the 2015 Governor’s Service Award.

When Christin Shinaberry signed up as an AmeriCorps member two years ago, she had no idea where her service would take her. She has served at Green Bank Elementary and Middle School as a mentor for 32 students who need a little extra help with academics, behavior or attendance. She has gone above and beyond in her service to these children. She organized multiple service projects so that her students have an opportunity to give back to the community. These include working at the animal shelter, setting up bird feeders in public areas and participating with Trout Unlimited on stream analysis at Buffalo Lake.

In 2015, Christin has had an opportunity to serve in a new way with Disaster Corps. Disaster Corps allows AmeriCorps members to actively respond to disasters and to help families recover. Christin responded to the Hughes Creek flood and to flooding and mudslides in Kanawha County. During this time she worked with the Red Cross to help assess and provide for the needs of those displaced.  When she was assigned to Mingo County, she worked with members of the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, especially the American Baptist work teams, to help clean up homes that had been devastated.

WV Disaster Corps Member Christin Shinaberry

Governor’s Day to Serve

Governor and First Lady Tomblin, program staff, partners, and more than 150 AmeriCorpsWV members launched Governor’s Day to Service in West Virginia last week. To kick off the campaign, national service members (AmeriCorps, VISTA and a few Senior Corps) participated in the American Red Cross Fire Safety Campaign, beginning the day at rally points in Charleston, Parkersburg, Martinsburg, and Beckley.  Members, partners and volunteers installed more than 400 smoke alarms on Friday around West Virginia.

Charleston Area Media

Michigan Prepares!

A Senior Corps RSVP Project in Michigan is creating 1,500 “go bags” for area seniors to help prepare for disasters as part of America's PrepareAthon! 

Judy Putnam: Go bags vital in disaster aftermath

September 17, 2015

Commemorating 10 Years of National Service Along the Gulf Coast

Hurricane Katrina 10 Years Leader Photo Montage

The Gulf Coast has come a long way since August 2005. The Corporation for National and Community Service commemorated 10 years of hard work, community resilience, and the service and innovation that continues to support an even stronger and healthier Gulf Coast.


After the Storm: Deepwater's Journey

As the ten year anniversary of that historic storm wraps up, this unique film looks at the city’s comeback. 

Resources

National Service Assets in Times of Disaster

This document lists the national service resources available for disaster assistance.


New Disaster Events

For information on new disaster events, please visit FEMA’s daily situation report.

CNCS Disaster Services Knowledge Network

This online network provides a place to share what works at the intersection of disaster services and national service.

Disaster Preparedness

To learn more about how to prepare your family and community, please visit Ready.gov. 

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990

The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and support. The Helpline is staffed by trained counselors from a network of crisis call centers located across the United States, all of whom provide:

  • Crisis counseling for those who are in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster
  • Information on how to recognize distress and its effects on individuals and families
  • Tips for healthy coping
  • Disaster-specific resources and referral information.