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