National Service in the News for Saturday, March 25, 2017- Monday, March 27, 2017.
Column:
AmeriCorps gets things done for Ky.
The Enquirer (KY), March 26, 2017
Every year, AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing
to strengthen local communities. Members serve faith-based and nonprofit
organizations, educational institutions, and local and state government
agencies. To maximize efforts, AmeriCorps members even recruit local volunteers
in your community who collaborate to help fulfill local needs and become
stakeholders in their programs’ missions. This year, AmeriCorps programs will
provide more than 1,200 individuals the opportunity to provide intensive,
results-driven service to meet community needs related to education, substance
abuse prevention, health, and the economy in more than 450 service locations in
every part of Kentucky.
Wilkes
hosting runway show for prom formal wear
The Times Leader (PA), March 26, 2017
Wilkes Universities AmeriCorps VISTA, office of civic engagement and office of
diversity initiatives, has a goal of collecting at least 200 gently-used prom
clothes in the hopes of giving teens in the community a chance to attend prom
sharply dressed, but without completely emptying their wallet. Davis,
AmeriCorps PACC VISTA and event coordinator, was a local teacher who witnessed
students not attending prom for financial reasons. He saw the need to support
the community by hosting a free runway show 6 p.m., April 7, in the University
Center on Main. Wilkes students will model the clothes before they are donated
to a local Cinderella’s Closet, an organization that supplies used formal
attire to local residents.
County Officials to Tour AmeriCorps Service Sites
CapeCod.com (MA), March 24, 2017
County officials are gearing up for a bus ride across Cape Cod next monthto tour AmeriCorps service sites on the Mid and Outer Cape. Barnstable County Commissioners Leo Cakounes, Mary Pat Flynn, and Ron Beaty will be joined by representatives from the Assembly of Delegates and County Administrator Jack Yunits for the ride-along with service members on a tour of sites in Yarmouth, Brewster, and the National Seashore. The tour, scheduled for April 4, comes as part of a nationwide initiative to highlight AmeriCorps’ work in addressing local needs.
Library
hires first community engagement librarian
Unified News Group (WI), March 26, 2017
When Marissa Gehrke applied for graduate school two years ago, she knew she
wanted to focus on the relationships libraries work to build within their
communities. She just didn’t know the word for it yet. “I wrote my entire
entrance essay about how I wanted to do outreach, except I didn’t really know
that’s what it was called at the time,” Gehrke told the Press. “Once I started
getting my master’s (degree), I learned the right vocabulary for it and learned
that was something I was definitely interested in.” The 26-year-old McFarland
native starts work as the Verona Public Library’s first community engagement
librarian just days after she graduates from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison in May, and that outreach will serve as the foundation of her
work both within and outside the library’s walls.
Efforts
underway to save Gary's historic architecture 'at critical point'
The Times of Northwest Indiana (IN), March 26, 2017
Gary is filled with architectural gems designed by noted architects like Philip
Brooks Maher, but some are still occupied while others have sat vacant for
decades. Buildings like City Methodist Church and Union Station have been
rotting away, buckling under the weight of disuse and a relentless campaign by
the elements. But now there’s several efforts underway to preserve the city’s
historic buildings. The Decay Devils artist and urban explorer collective
staged an exhibit at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts this month to
inspire people to come up with new ideas for how to repurpose Gary’s ruins,
will soon host a cleanup of Union Station and lined up a number of artists to
paint murals there.
Fairbanks
programs teach students job know-how, give work experience
Fairbanks News (AK), March 25, 2017
Katerina Rigdon is a junior at North Pole High School who aspires to be a K-9
police officer someday. This spring, Rigdon is participating in Access Alaska’s
in-school Pre-Employment Transition Service program, and she’s looking forward
to the Summer Work Program, where she can gain job experience. “We just
recently learned budgeting,” Rigdon said in a phone interview. “We were
learning what we could do to make our goals come true. (The program) actually
does really help you out, this one actually shows you what real life is like
after high school. They can help you find jobs. They teach success skills.” Rigdon
said it could be difficult at times to get a job as a high school student
because of other commitments, such as homework and lack of qualifications.
She’s looking forward to participating in the Summer Work Program.
Preparing
for YSU’s History Day
The Tribune Chronicle (OH), March 26, 2017
Stephanie Parish said she remembers when she was a student at Niles McKinley
High School, she competed in the Youngstown State University History Day event.
Now as a social studies teacher at Windham Junior High School, she has her
seventh- and eighth-grade students creating projects for History Day. The YSU
History Day will be 9 a.m. Saturday at Kilcawley Center and DeBartolo Hall at
the campus. The 2017 theme is “Taking a Stand in History.” Program
coordinator Dr. Diane Barnes and AmeriCorps Ohio History Regional Officer M.
Carmella Cadusale are coordinating the YSU event. Schools in Ashtabula, Geauga,
Mahoning, Portage and Trumbull represent Region 4 which will be part of the
competition. Parish said 80 seventh- and eighth-graders did research and used
hands-on learning to create their projects. While most did projects, one team
did a website. Teams could also do speeches.
Snapshots:
Washington Foundation donates $10,000 to 'No Greater Love' production
The Montana Standard (MT), March 26, 2017
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Corporation has announced a $10,000 grant to
the production of “No Greater Love.” This musical drama commemorates the 100th
anniversary of the Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine fire that killed 168 miners
in Butte on June 8, 1917. The production will be performed June 9 and 10 at
Butte's Mother Lode Theatre. In making the award, Mike Halligan, executive
director of the foundation and in conjunction with Montana Resources, reflected
on the impact and importance of the production for the community of Butte.
Keep
AmeriCorps funding
The Yakima Herald (WA), March 25, 2017
In 2011, I served as an AmeriCorps member in Yakima. During my service year
with AmeriCorps, I worked with countless community leaders, volunteers,
businesses and community organizations in coordinating the 100 Jobs for 100
Kids program. The program was a complete success and led to the employment of
over 100 youth in Yakima. I was overwhelmed by support I received from the
wonderful members of the Yakima community. AmeriCorps teaches young people in
Yakima that there are many people in the community willing to support them and
help them succeed.
Energy
Express looking for members
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel (WV), March 26, 2017
Applications are now being accepted for summer positions in a statewide program
administered by the West Virginia University Extension Service and AmeriCorps
that is designed to help 3,000 West Virginia children maintain and improve
their reading skills. AmeriCorps is recruiting mentors and community
coordinators for Energy Express, an award-winning, eight-week program offered
in rural and low-income West Virginia communities. The program is designed to
provide learning opportunities and nutrition during the summer months, when
children are most at risk for falling behind on reading levels – a preventable
loss known as the “summer slide,” Energy Express said in a
press release.
Yancy
Singleton: A place where everyone leads
The Hour (CT), March 26, 2017
“Regardless of what America thinks of me, I’m still one of its children.” Although
at times most may not share that sentiment; AmeriCorps has
been my home of the brave. I’m young, black, with felony convictions — talk
about a social pariah. Re-entering society after 10 years in prison, almost no
one was brave enough to give me a chance. If I’ve paid my “debt,” then why is
my credit not restored? These were questions I often asked myself, as finding
employment seemed hopeless. When I was initially given the word about
AmeriCorps and its Public Allies program, I was extremely hesitant, thinking
there was no way I would be given a fair chance.
Cape Fear Habitat for humanity creates "Urban Oasis"
WWAY News (NC), March 25, 2017
The city of Wilmington is looking a little greener today. That’s because Cape
Fear Habitat for Humanity worked on a community garden in Maides Park. The
purpose of the event is to allow community members to actively participate in
the garden groundbreaking of the “Urban Oasis”, address public health issues
and teach volunteers the benefits of home grown food. People of all ages
participated in the food education program. “Basic survival skills like that
are growing. Sustaining your own food, the health benefits and the public
health issues that surround that, the accessibility of healthy foods, I wanted
to address that,” Qailinn Bowen, Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps member, said.
Why
My Spring Break Changed My Life
Her Campus (MA), March 25, 2017
This year, I spent my spring break doing something out of the box. Unusual,
unprecedented, and unique. Many college students spend this legendary week at
the beach, traveling abroad, spending time with family, or clocking in some
hours at work. I’m proud to say that my spring break was life-changing, not
because I witnessed the best party known to humankind or had a meaning-of-life
epiphany via gorgeous beach sunset. I had an active hand in shaping lives,
for today and tomorrow, with great friends by my side whom I got the privilege
to grow with in this experience. Through an intensive spring break volunteer
program called Break A Difference, I joined a crew of nine other classmates on
a journey to Washington, D.C. for five long days of hard work.
Longmont emergency management intern
focuses on youth education
The Daily Camera (CO), March 24, 2017
Having lived in the mountain town of Frisco, Mariah Hensel kept an emergency
preparedness kit of water and blankets in the trunk of her car at all times in
the event of a disaster. Though she never had to use the supplies, she felt
reassured having it just in case something struck. "There is a lot that
could happen between here and there, so it's just always been a thing that's
been really important for me and my family to be aware of," she said. Now
Hensel, who is a 21-year-old recent Colorado State University graduate, is
teaching Longmont youth through the Office of Emergency Management about what
to do during intense weather events and natural disasters, such as floods,
tornadoes and snowstorms.
Service group works to refurbish houses
The Rocky Mount Telegram (NC), March 25, 2017
Two downtown Rocky Mount areas are getting a face lift thanks to a
nationally-known service organization. AmeriCorps National Civilian Community
Corps Team Delta 5 is working in Rocky Mount to beautify Southeast Rocky Mount
and the Villa Place historic district. The team arrived in the city on March 5
and will stay through April 17. Team Delta 5 Media Representative Katerina Barry
said the 10-member team is working in the Southeast Rocky Mount area and will
move on to Villa Place soon. She added the group already has finished work on
more than 20 houses in Southeast Rocky Mount. The work the group has done so
far includes landscaping and painting.
The announcement of the city being awarded the team came early last
month.
Thanks for a successful Kid Packs Program
The Independent Record (MT), March 24, 2017
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Doorsteps to Backpacks food drive
on March 8. We are overwhelmed by your generosity – you donated more than
10,000 lbs. of food and $3,500 in cash for Helena Food Share’s Kid Packs
Program. This program is vital to ensuring children don’t go hungry on the
weekend when they are out of school. Each granola bar, cup of fruit and packet
of oatmeal donated helps us provide Kid Packs to more than 1,000 Helena-area
elementary school children each week. Collectively, your donations of food and
funds will help build enough Kid Packs for five weeks, and carry the program
through the end of the school year.
Paid positions available for AmeriCorps
Service Crews
The Daily Press (CA), March 24, 2017
Are you ready to make a difference and make some money? You can help protect
and restore the San Bernardino National Forest and earn money for school at the
same time, according to the Southern California Mountains Foundation. When you
join the Southern California Mountains Foundation Urban Conservation AmeriCorps
program, you use your energy, ideals and talents to help protect natural
resources. Plus, you'll earn money, learn to be a leader and gain real job
skills. AmeriCorps service crew members will provide wildfire disaster
mitigation services that will target some of the most hazardous areas on the
San Bernardino National Forest that are at the highest risk of wildfires.
Munice Habitat CEO embraces ‘a hand up, not
a hand out’
The Star Press (IN), March 24, 2017
Lindsey Arthur acknowledged she didn't know much about Habitat for Humanity
before she started working there. "The only thing I knew was that they
built houses," Arthur said. But Arthur, now chief executive officer of
Greater Muncie, Indiana Habitat for Humanity, has long since learned the ins
and outs of the organization that connects people with homes. And she embraces
its philosophy. "I like the concept of a hand up, not a hand out,"
Arthur said. "Something is expected from both sides of the equation.
Volunteers recognized for efforts
The Register-Pajaronian (CA), March 24, 2017
Urging others to get involved and serve their community, 10 volunteers were
recognized Thursday during the 15th annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Awards.
The volunteers were recognized for their community work and activism that
exemplifies and promotes the values espoused by civil rights activist Cesar
Chavez. Put on by the Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department,
those who were honored at the awards ceremony at the Civic Plaza were Maria
Teresa Cerrillos, Paul De Worken, Alfonso Lobato, Camerino Padilla, Jaime
Sanchez, Sarah Squires, Dr. Frank Baudino, Janet Reyes, Sofia Perez and Isaiah
Johnson. In his keynote address, Digital NEST founder Jacob Martinez asked
everyone in attendance to take an action that benefits the community.
Editorial: Thumbs up for smart laws and
helping hands
The Times Herald-Record (NY), March 27, 2017
To Habitat for Humanity for getting involved in the national discussion about
the proposed new federal budget and pointing out its local effects. As the
national organization said last week, the proposed budget "would eliminate
every federal program that helps Habitat for Humanity." Among those losing
funding would be three branches of AmeriCorps National Service. "Our
organization would be hurt significantly by the elimination of this
program," the organization said. Also eliminated in the budget proposal
are several programs under the Department of Housing and Urban Development that
would "have a devastating impact on the number of families that will be
able to partner with Habitat to build strength, security, and self-reliance
through homeownership."
Volunteers
needed for Muscanetcong clean-up
The Observer-Tribune (NJ), March
27, 2017
The drive is on for volunteers for the 25th Annual Musconetcong River Clean-up
scheduled for Saturday, April 15. From 9 a.m. to noon along the river banks
people will be picking up trash and making the area a more scenic place to be.
“It's our annual river cleanup,'' said Karen Doerfer, of the Musconetcong
River Watershed Association. “It takes place every year the week after fishing
season opens. Basically it's all locations along the Musconetcong River.
Anywhere from Lake Hopatcong, Lake Musconetcong all the way down to the
Delaware River confluence.'' The event is sponsored by the association.
Porter-Leath Connects Generations through Foster Grandparents Programs
The Daily News (TN), March 25, 2017
They had done their part, put their work in for decades. George Watson had been a mechanic, worked right on past age 65 and into his early 70s. Ada McNeal had given 26 years to the Aeolian Piano Corp., first as a machine operator and then sorting parts after the rheumatoid arthritis came along, until the company closed its Memphis plant. Even then, McNeal continued to work in food service at the Hyatt Regency/Omni/Adam’s Mark in East Memphis. Brands changed. She didn’t. She kept going. Today, they are working as volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program sponsored by Porter-Leath. Watson, 86, has been at it for almost a decade. McNeal, 83, for almost two decades.
Stark County – Mayor and County Day of Recognition for National Service
Press Release, March 24, 2017
Senior Corps of Stark County was grateful to have the Honorable Thomas M. Bernabei present a proclamation to the gathered group of volunteers, Advisory Council members, local Site Supervisors and F&CS Staff in honor of Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service. The celebration took place at the Community Campus at Goodwill on March 20. Mayor and County Day of Recognition for National Service is an annual, nationwide event in which over 3,500 elected officials participated last year. In addition to Senior Companion, RSVP and Foster Grandparent volunteers, several Stark County Senior Corps Advisory Council Members were present. Lisa Turklj-Painter from Canton City Schools and Shelley Kizer-Hays from SCCAA Head Start also showed their enthusiastic support for hard-working, local National Service volunteers.
Council Bluff school salutes ‘Grandpa Bill,’ mentor to hundreds of kids
The Omaha World Herald (NE), March 27, 2017
William Johnson had hundreds of grandchildren. Known to many as “Grandpa Bill,” Johnson spent his time as a volunteer in the Foster Grandparent program, mentoring hundreds of students at Franklin Elementary School. The program, sponsored by the Connections Area Agency on Aging, sets up volunteers age 55 and older to work one on one with children in elementary schools, Head Starts and day care centers in the community. After Johnson started as a volunteer with the program in 2013, he quickly grew close to the students, developing personal relationships through his compassion and friendship, Principal Kevin Brown said.
GENERATIONS:
You don't have to go it alone, respite care is available
The Herald Palladium (MI), March 26, 2017
For caregivers whose loved one lives in their home, it can be overwhelming in
ways they never imagined. It doesn’t matter how good our intentions are,
or how committed we are to doing the right thing, it is nearly impossible
to be prepared for the caregiving role. “Normal” has taken a turn, and we must
adjust quickly. You and your spouse now take turns going to the grocery store,
the post office, the bank, the gas station. You carefully synch your calendars
to be sure one of you is always home. It’s not so bad running errands alone.
It’s probably more efficient, and maybe we make fewer spontaneous purchases.
But every caregiving family needs some precious time together without the
responsibility of 24/7 caregiving. It’s how we recharge our own batteries.
Central
Montgomery County community calendar: Week of March 26
The Ambler Gazette (PA), March 26, 2017
Lower Providence Community Library: 50 Parklane Drive, Eagleville
(610-666-6640) Storytime Programs: Mondays and Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m., ages
infant through 2 years; 11:15 a.m. ages older 2 through 3 years; Thursdays:
10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., ages 4 years and up; Saturdays: 10:30 a.m., ages infant
through 3 years; 11:15 a.m., ages 4 and up. Introduction to Flower Gardening:
The Lower Providence Community Library will host Introduction to Flower
Gardening presented by Master Gardener Karrie Hontz March 30 at 6:30 p.m. This
course is for the beginner gardener. Hontz will review the basics of soil
preparation, site evaluation and provide recommendations for plant selections
that grow well in our local soils, in both sun and shade. Hontz is a master
gardener from the Penn State Cooperative Extension of Montgomery County.
How
can you help? Wish list from local nonprofit organizations, March 26
The Journal Times (WI), March 26, 2017
Below is a wish list of items and volunteer opportunities from nonprofit
organizations in Racine County. They were provided by local nonprofit
organizations. Other nonprofit organizations in Racine County who would like to
have their wish lists published here may email them to Features Editor Ann
Walter. Please include contact information
and information about where to donate or volunteer. Updated lists should also
be sent to Ann Walter. New lists and updated
lists should be sent the Monday prior to the requested publication date. These
organizations offer their thanks to all who have made donations so far.
Harry
Harelik, Board of Contributors: Don’t stop the music
The Waco Trib (TX), March 26, 2017
The March 18 Waco Symphony concert at Baylor University’s Waco Hall featuring
music by George Gershwin set me to pondering. While Gershwin’s most popular
compositions including “Porgy and Bess” and “An American in Paris” echoed in my
mind, I thought upon Gershwin, the second son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, and
his stature as one of America’s most enduring composers, notwithstanding his
death at age 39. I wondered where American music might be today had Gershwin’s
parents not come to America. As always in Waco Hall, I thought of my own
parents performing song, dance and comedy as part of the 101-year-old Waco
Founder Lions Club’s old-time minstrels at this very venue more than six
decades ago. The impact of watching Mother and Father on stage surely
influenced me. I later participated in drama, debate and public speaking. The
stage was a place of great creation and comfort for me.
Senior Corps Community Resource Day rings
in 10th year
The Daily Mail (NY), March 27, 2017
The Washington Irving Senior Center in Catskill held the 10th annual Senior
Corps MLK Community Resource Day on Thursday where 35 vendors promoted various
resources and services available to the area’s seniors. Some of the vendors
displaying information about their services included Catholic Charities of
Columbia and Greene Counties, Community Action of Greene County and the Greene
County Department of Human Services, among others. The event used to be known
as the Senior Corps MLK Health Fair, but the name was changed because not all
the services offered were healthcare related, the event’s organizer, Ruth
Pforte, said.
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