National Service Press Clips, March 21, 2017

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National Service in the News for Tuesday, March 21, 2017. 


AmeriCorps

Temple students, employees work at center for foster care youth
The Temple News (PA), March 21, 2017
Leidy Torres used to be ashamed to tell her story. At 16 years old, she lived in a Philadelphia homeless shelter after she immigrated from the Dominican Republic. That’s when her social worker mentioned the Achieving Independence Center. The center on Broad Street near Master offers free services like counseling, vocational training and educational support to young people between the ages of 14 and 21 as they prepare to leave the foster care system. Torres, a junior psychology major, has been one of the center’s 750 annual clients since 2013 and said its services were instrumental in her academic career.

County Makes Impressive Progress on Parks
Athletic Business, March 20, 2017
Trails at the County Farm, the opening of three preserves, and perhaps a happy ending for Rich Fork are in sight. After a year of turmoil in which the Guilford County Commissioners, the Guilford County Parks and Recreation Department and the volunteer Parks and Recreation Commission were frequently at odds with the public - and sometimes each other - this year is beginning with a flurry of positive activity. Three open-space preserves will open in April, a new trail is being constructed at the Guilford County Farm and preliminary plans for the Rich Fork Preserve are getting positive reviews.

City Year says Trump’s proposed cuts would devastate popular school programs
The Boston Globe, March 20, 2017
Clad in red jackets, khaki pants, and workboots, 265 City Year volunteers greet 10,000 students each morning at nearly two dozen Boston schools with cheers and clapping — a grand gesture to show they are welcome. Then the volunteers hit the phones and call those who didn’t show up. This laser-like focus on attendance has played an instrumental role in boosting attendance rates at many schools, and along with it a student’s chance for success. But all of it is now in jeopardy under President Trump’s budget proposal.

Valeria Beasley-Ross: A commitment to education, service
The Daily Mississippian (MS), March 20, 2017
It’s been 20 years since Valeria Beasley-Ross was first hired at the University of Mississippi, and she has committed that time to three things: education, students and service. Assistant dean of students, Beasley-Ross is responsible for the university’s recognition of months celebrating Hispanic heritage, LGBTQ history and Native American history. She also helped get the National Pan-Hellenic Council chartered on campus. Beasley-Ross also helped rename of the UM Gospel Choir, which was originally called the Black Student Union Choir.

Cuomo encourages New Yorkers to sign up for 6th annual 'I Love My Park' Day
The Niagara Frontier Publications (NY), March 20, 2017
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced registration is now open for the sixth annual "I Love My Park" Day, to be held on May 6 at state parks, historic sites and public lands across the state. The event, sponsored by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York, is a statewide event to enhance New York's parks and historic sites and raise awareness and visibility to the entire parks system and its needs. This year's event includes partnerships with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service, with volunteer events planned at several locations in the Adirondack and Catskill regions and at five national parks in New York state.

Eliminating AmeriCorps would hurt the region
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), March 21, 2017
Where would our country be without the 80,000 AmeriCorps members currently engaged in community service? It’s a scary thought to contemplate, but we must. Currently, every AmeriCorps program in the country is set to be defunded. Last week, the White House introduced a budget proposal that eliminates the Corporation for National and Community Service to try to reduce federal spending. Eliminating the service would have a crippling impact on St. Louis. In Missouri alone, more than 5,300 people better their communities through AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs that rely on this funding.

4 Reasons I Chose the Nonprofit Route After Graduation
The Mogul (NY), March 20, 2017
Working for AmeriCorps through a local non-profit and poverty initiative, has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. After graduating from college, I realized that I went into over $40,000 of debt to not have a clue of what it was that I wanted to do. In fact, college instead provided with insight on where I didn’t want to end up. I chose nonprofit for a few reasons.

Human-caused fire burning SE of Kenosha Pass
9News (CO), March 20, 2017
Firefighters are working to contain a 50-acre wildfire that started burning southeast of Kenosha Pass Sunday afternoon. They say the blaze, which does not appear to be threatening any structures, was caused by humans. How exactly people started the fire was not released. Firefighters say the fire was first reported near County Road 56 just before 2:40 p.m. Sunday. There is no containment, and the fire is burning in grass, aspen, mixed conifer and ponderosa pine. Additional resources, including Americorps and a small hand crew, will report to the fire line Monday morning.

Dan Glickman: Kansas, U.S. must fund national service
The Kansas City Star (MO), March 15, 2017
Few things bring people together like service to their country. The patriotism and idealism of the American people are unmatched. Some of the brightest moments in our history are when citizens come together from all walks of life to serve. From volunteering for duty overseas to responding to natural disasters like the tornadoes in Joplin, Americans do not hesitate to put aside their differences in service to the nation. Service bridges the divides of politics, race, gender and socioeconomic status to bring people together in common purpose. 

Want to get inspired? Give branch out a go
The Flat Hat (VA), March 21, 2017
Over spring break, eight William and Mary students travelled to Laredo, Texas to build houses with Habitat for Humanity. As the team leader, I coordinated the program with the help of William and Mary Branch Out and the Office of Community Engagement. I was eager to see how the group would bond and develop over the course of the week and how people would enjoy working with Habitat-Laredo.  As we started our Branch Out journey, I was clenching the steering wheel of the enormous OCE van on the drive up to Washington, D.C. for our flight. Doubts in my ability and anxieties of the trip circulated in my mind, but I was already driving the van and committed. 

How to finally get into volunteering, and stick with it
The Fader (NY), March 20, 2017
When I was a kid, I got hyped on volunteering because of "Mitzvah Day," an annual event tied to my temple and religious school. We always had a blast writing Hannukah cards for troops abroad, or packing up and decorating lunch bags for the homeless. At my high school, community service was a requirement. I went to soup kitchens, cleaned up parks, helped kids learn to read, and did office work for non-profit elders' shelter. From a young age, it felt good to be exercising my skills while doing my civic duty, and learning some things along the way. But as an adult, I fell off my volunteering stride -- I didn't seem to have time for anything but work.   

TRIAD Service AmeriCorps Member Receives GIVE Award Honorable Mention
The Southern Miss NOW (MS), March 20, 2017
Jennifer Scroggins is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens. She is a natural giver and has a heart for serving others. In recognition of her exceptional volunteer service, she was recently selected to receive an Honorable Mention award as part of the 2017 Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Awards.  Launched in 1993 by then First Lady Patricia Fordice and Gov. Kirk Fordice, the GIVE Awards recognize Mississippi citizens who inspire others.  The GIVE Awards are a collaboration of Volunteer Mississippi and the Governor’s Office.

Buffy Terry joins the Jackson Rotary Club on March 7
The Jackson County Times Journal (OH), March 20, 2017
Buffy Terry was inducted into the Jackson Rotary Club on March 7 by her sponsor Susan Rogers. Terry works with COAD/RSVP of the Ohio Valley as an AmeriCorps VISTA employee. As a member of Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Terry’s current assignments including assisting low-income families and senior citizens complete and file their income tax forms. As a Recourses Manager Terryprovides this valuable service free of charge.


Senior Corps

Students Sharpen Math skills During Cribbage Tourney
The Daily Inter Lake (MT), March 17, 2017
Smith Valley School fourth-graders Aaron Conners and Royanne Wiedenmeyer jumped up from their seats, their jaws dropping slightly in astonishment. The last hand of a single-elimination cribbage game had won them the round. They would now go on to compete for first or second place at the Flathead County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’s 24th annual cribbage tournament for area schools at the Gateway Community Center Wednesday. With a crib containing a flush, the pair slipped past their competitors. After cards are dealt in cribbage, players give up a card to the dealer that makes up the crib. “They were all the same suit and it was awesome,” Wiedenmeyer said.

Wahlstrom 'doing good things with good results'
The Free Press Media (MN), March 20, 2017
Denny Wahlstrom said he remembers his first volunteer effort. It was in his hometown of Glenwood. "It was pretty heady stuff for a fifth-grader to stop a senior with a flag." Since his crossing-guard gig, Wahlstrom has served in a number of volunteer roles that have been more selfless than his joy in controlling the older kids. Wahlstrom graduated from MSU in 1974 in social studies with plans to be a teacher. But while he was working at Madsen's grocery, a salesman at KEYC TV suggested to Wahlstrom's manager that the new graduate should try sales. "My manager at Madsen's said to go into TV and he wasn't wrong."

Share your greatest asset with RSVP
The Centre Daily Times (PA), March 20, 2017
What is your greatest asset? You’re probably thinking, “my home, retirement savings, health ...” but what about your time? At the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, we consider a person’s time to be one of his or her greatest assets. Think about it. You have a limited supply of it — just 24 hours in a day. You can choose when, where and how you give your time. Volunteers are a treasured service to Centre County and to the 70 nonprofit organizations that RSVP partners alongside.

VAAA holds 11th annual meeting
ABC12 (MI), March 20, 2017
Monday, Valley Area Agency on Aging, or VAAA as it's commonly known, held its eleventh annual meeting. The organization provides resources and advocacy for senior members of the community. During the meeting, they recognized service providers and volunteers who are helping to make life better for seniors. Shirley Johnson was born with cerebral palsy, but she doesn't let that stop her from helping others. She volunteers with the Senior Companion Program and received the volunteer of the year award on Monday. “When you see her get up every morning and go volunteer four days a week, that just inspires anybody,” said Delores Johnson, Shirley’s sister.