National Service Press Clips, May 2, 2017

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National Service in the News for Tuesday, May 2, 2017.


AmeriCorps

State awards almost $1 million for Paterson youth center project
The Paterson Times (NJ), May 2, 2017
The state awarded a $985,000 grant to the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) to help fund the conversion of the American Legion Hall on Front Street into a youth center, according to the New Jersey Division of Community Affairs (DCA). Funds being provided through the state’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program will be used to renovate the old American Legion Hall in the Totowa section the nonprofit purchased in July of 2016, said Bob Guarasci, president of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation. “We’re very excited about taking a building that one time was a vibrant center of this community’s life and bringing it back so that current residents can benefit from it,” said Guarasci on Monday afternoon.

Shorebirds migrate through Hoquiam on their way to Alaska
KING-TV (WA), May 1, 2017
The wonders of nature never cease to amaze. Take for example, the journey that some breeds of Shorebirds makes each year. They migrate from Argentina all the way up to Alaska. At Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge in Hoquiam, hundreds of thousands of Shorebirds fly through on their migration. Wildlife biologist Marian Bailey keeps track of the amount of birds stopping by. "I've learned to look through my telescope and kind of get a sense of what a hundred birds are," said Bailey. There are at least 50 types of Shorebirds in North America, but Bailey says the ones stopping at Grays are mostly Dunlin and Western Sandpipers. "They just migrated in from the South," said Bailey. "They are frantically eating, probing the mud flap, looking for food."

Budget deal would spare AmeriCorps, which supports thousands of schools
Chalkbeat, May 1, 2017
chools and education nonprofits that rely on AmeriCorps members may soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief — at least temporarily. Funding for AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps programs would hold steady under the federal budget deal expected to pass this week, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency that finances the programs. President Trump proposed eliminating all funding for the agency earlier this year. The deal would be a win for 11,000 schools across the country where corps members serve as mentors, tutors, and extra sets of hands in classrooms. As we wrote in February, about half of the agency’s grant funding goes to education-related work, making it a significant player in school improvement efforts across the country.

Patrols along Flint River to increase under expansion of UM-Flint program
M Live (MI), May 1, 2017
Additional patrols will hit the Flint River Trail in and around the downtown area beginning this week through the end of October following an expansion of the River Trail Watchers program. The University of Michigan-Flint announced the addition of two golf carts for the program in partnership with several local community organizations and police departments, as well as new weekend patrols along 15 miles of the river along University Avenue from Mill Street to Ballenger Highway. After a pilot year in 2016, University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety director Ray Hall said the response has been positive and they would like the effort to continue moving forward with help from a $200,000 Urban Safety Corps grant through the United Way of Genesee County.

Women Should Go Local To Break The Glass Ceiling
Bustle (NY), May 1, 2017
In the past six months since Donald Trump's presidential victory, an increasing number of women are determined to continue Hillary Clinton's legacy. As a way to create the political shift they wish to see in the United States, more women are planning to run for office, according to a number of recent reports. As NPR noted in a February report, "Early signs from the groups that work with women considering a bid for office suggest a level of intense interest not seen in at least a quarter century." One organization that directly supports women looking to run for office is Emerge America, which provides 70-hours of training classes to Democratic women planning their campaigns. 

Earth Day volunteers clean up Grover Meadow
The Record Courier (NV), May 1, 2017
More than 60 volunteers celebrated Earth Day in Alpine County working on Grover Meadow near Markleeville. Volunteers from California and Nevada pulled 150 pounds of invasive weeds, planted 120 native plants, and cleared 104 acres of meadow and park areas of trash on April 22, according to Alpine Watershed Group Restoration and Watershed Monitoring Coordinator Alyson Cheney. "Grover Meadow is an unusual and valuable ecosystem," Cheney said. "Fed by water from the hot spring, it has alkaline soils that support an unusual community of plants that is not duplicated anywhere else in the world, including 23 special-status plants."

Students help restore critical habitat along Choctawhatchee Bay
The NWF Daily News (FL), May 1, 2017
As the school year begins to draw to an end, students across Okaloosa and Walton County are also wrapping up a year-long restoration project. Throughout the 2016-2017 school year, around 2,300 students from 22 elementary schools participated in Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance’s Grasses in Classes Program. Grasses in Classes encourages students to develop an interest in the local environment by growing shoreline grasses at their school. Throughout May, these students will see the hands-on, science program full circle by taking a field trip to Choctawhatchee Bay. Rotating through stations, students will not only explore the habitat they learned about all year, but will also plant their smooth cordgrass at a restoration site.

Program Helps Refugees Build Skills for Strong Futures
WHO-TV (IA), May 1, 2017
The language barrier is just one of many struggles refugees face when coming to Iowa. Several groups help refugees settle into the community, and one program helps both young workers and refugees get on the path to a career. The RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps program is about one year old. It’s run through EMBARC, which stands for Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center. The program has approximately 40 AmeriCorps members reaching out to refugees in seven communities across the state. The program partners refugee community members with native English speakers to serve refugee communities.

TPWD CO-OP Awards Nearly $1.5 Million in Grants to Texas Communities
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TX), May 1, 2017
Thirty-nine organizations across the state have been awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). This support helps connect Texas communities with their natural environment, provide hands-on environmental education and introduce underserved communities to outdoor recreation skills. The grants will help fund programs such as weekly fishing and kayaking experiences for all fourth-grade students at Livingston Intermediate School, a peer-mentoring program for Central Texas girls to explore the Pedernales River Corridor, and hunting opportunities for young people battling life-threatening illnesses.

Colleges offer experiential learning opportunity for students through Jumpstart partnership
Education Dive, May 1, 2017
When Lianna Pizzo teaches early education courses at the University of Massachusetts Boston, it’s generally clear which students come to the classroom with prior experience. Students who enroll in the four-year program from high school have little time to build up this real-world experience, but an early language and literacy program, Jumpstart, can get them into preschool classrooms right away. Jumpstart works in low-income urban early childhood centers across 14 states and the District of Columbia, helping prepare 4-year-olds for kindergarten. The vast majority of its nearly 4,000 volunteers are college students.

New program at high school promotes healthy mind, healthy life
The Paso Robles Daily News (CA), May 1, 2017
Project Teen Health, a nonprofit program through the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo, is new to Paso Robles High School this school year after being introduced to three other high school campuses, such as Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, and Santa Maria. The program, which has been around for ten years in the community, primarily focuses on preventing youth obesity, but also trains students for specific athletic events, offers tips on diet and exercise, and provides nutrition counseling. In addition, free or low cost after school workouts will be offered, where students can choose from a four day, four week boot camp or three day, three week boot camp. “[The program is] one of the most impactful things we can do. I really believe we can improve the health of our communities if we can improve the health of the students.

Whirlpool's Care Counts™ Laundry Program Expands to Provide Additional Students across the Country with Access to Clean Clothes
KTRE (TX), May 1, 2017
One surprising solution to improving school attendance? A washer and dryer. The Whirlpool Care Counts™ laundry program – now finishing its second school year (2016/2017) – is committed to helping create educational equality and improving school attendance by installing washers and dryers in schools. Since releasing the Care Counts™ laundry program pilot results in Fall 2016, showing that clean clothes helped improve school attendance for more than 90 percent of tracked participants, more than 900 school representatives reached out to Whirlpool to learn more and get involved. It is clear that access to clean clothes is a widespread barrier to school attendance – and starting this month, Whirlpool is working with Teach For America to help additional students in need. 

Future Five — Shelby Soberalski
The Ludington Daily News (MI), May 1, 2017
As nominators say, Shelby Soberalski has a heart of gold — and her kindness landed her a spot on this year’s Future Five. This is the fourth year the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce has selected five young professionals, age 21-40, who are growing and excelling in their fields. The other members this year are Crystal Young, Jamie Spore, Spence Riggs and Adam Lamb. They will be recognized May 6 at the chamber’s annual dinner at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. Soberalski was nominated by Patti Klevorn and Kaley Petersen. “I don’t know if a kinder heart could be found. Altruistic is a bold word but one I would use when describing Shelby. Shelby is purely motivated by doing good in the world and making a difference,” Petersen said

Youthbuild Springfield seeks ‘young people who need second chance’
The Republican (MA), April 30, 2017
The recruitment criteria for YouthBuild Springfield may not be your typical want ad -- applicants who dropped out of high school, may have had law enforcement issues, or parents who were incarcerated - but the workforce development  program at the YWCA of Western Massachusetts is designed to help such applicants overcome barriers and gain education for successful lives. "The program really is for young people who need a second chance," said Jenniefer Davis, director of workforce development at the YWCA of Western Massachusetts. "We are looking for young people, ages 17 to 24, who have had barriers to success. They may be from low-income families. They may have a criminal background. They may have had challenges in school. They may be from migrant families. We want those young people to come in."

Awards presented at AUW breakfast
Highland News (CA), May 1, 2017
Arrowhead United Way President Doug Rowan welcomed a large crowd to the Annual Arrowhead United Way Breakfast Thursday, April 27. Rowan announced that the organization’s fundraiser for families of victims of the terrorist attack in San Bernardino had raised $2.5 million and emphasized that Arrowhead United Way goals are health, education and financial stability. He said 22 people and 18 agencies were being honored for their outstanding service to the community.

Two UMass students dedicate themselves to service upon graduation
The Daily Collegian (MA), May 2, 2017
The Peace Corps, an organization dedicated to sending young volunteers to the developing world, announced the University of Massachusetts is among its top volunteer producing institutions. UMass ranks first among all New England schools and No. 21 nationally among universities with 15,000 undergraduates. Last year, 37 alumni served in Peace Corps positions around the world as 1,302 graduates have participated in the program since its inception in 1961. Beyond those numbers are the hundreds of alumni that have volunteered with similar organizations like AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps domestic equivalent. Two UMass students will be dedicating themselves to service upon graduation, and each described their decision to join their respective program.

FENCE announces Wellness Walking Wednesdays
The Tryon Daily Bulletin (NC), May 1, 2017
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) announces the formation of a new group to promote a healthy lifestyle. Wellness Walking Wednesdays is a weekly event that will begin on Wednesday, May 3. Incorporating physical activity into a weekly routine has proven to benefit one’s health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing risk of heart disease and stroke and increasing mental well-being. Enjoy a relaxing morning in nature, meet new people and form a healthy habit with Americorps member Michael McClure. This group is free and open to all ages—simply show up at the main office at FENCE. 


Senior Corps

Volunteers honored at Arbutus event
The Daily American (PA), May 1, 2017
A fundraising Franciscan friar and two community organizations were honored for their service to the community at the 2017 Arbutus Senior Spirit Awards, held April 21 at the downtown Johnstown Holiday Inn. Now in its fourth year, the Senior Spirit Awards program, sponsored by Arbutus Park Retirement Community, recognizes senior volunteers for their service, as well as organizations whose efforts help improve the lives of area seniors. Proceeds from the annual event go to Arbutus' Benevolent Care Fund, which helps care for residents whose financial resources have run out. This year's Spirit of Leadership award was presented to Brother Shamus McGrenra, whose yearly "Brother Shamus Charity Ride" has so far raised nearly $200,000 for the Dorothy Day Outreach Center at St. Francis University.

Teas a way to get to know schools
The Deerfield Valley News (VT), may 1, 2017
In the coming weeks, teddy bears will be making their way into the elementary schools in the valley, in the arms of Dover and Wilmington’s youngest residents. Dover Elementary and Twin Valley Elementary are both set to host Teddy Bear Teas, events where will-be students of the schools will be able to come together with their future friends, classmates, and teachers, some for the first time. Teddy Bear Teas happen at 15 schools across Windham County each May. The events are coordinated and co-sponsored by the Early Education Services of Windham County, which is the region’s Parent Child Center.

Applauding the volunteers
The Petoskey News (MI), May 1, 2017
National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, is about recognizing those that have shared their time and talent by volunteering, as well as inspiring and encouraging others to seek out imaginative and fulfilling ways to engage in their communities. This is a wonderful time to honor the 200-plus active volunteers in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties, sponsored by the Friendship Centers of Emmet County-Council on Aging. RSVP, along with the Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program, are the three volunteer programs that make up Senior Corps. All three programs consist of members who are 55 years of age or older.

LAVA Shows Appreciation to Volunteers
The Los Alamos Daily Post (NM), May 1, 2017
Gloria Baca, who volunteers at Sombrillo Nursing Home, participated in the Los Alamos Volunteer Association's (LAVA) volunteer appreciation party Friday afternoon at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Particpiants were served ice cream floats and treated to music performed by Eddy and the Nomads. LAVA has 503 volunteers in its program and more than 100 volunteers were expected to attend the festivities Friday. LAVA, which was previously known as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program or RSVP, has partnered with local nonprofits to provide volunteers since 1972.