National Service in the News for Wednesday, May 3, 2017.
WHHS students not just learning in the
classroom
The State Journal (KY), May 3, 2017
Eric Shields has started off semesters in his Community Service Learning
classes at Western Hills High School with an innocent fib. “I tell them I don’t
necessarily care why you are here, whether you are just looking to pad your
resume, whether yomu are just here because you think it’s an easy ‘A’,” Shields
said. “The truth is I do care to the extent I want them to care. I am here to
help them and make them think, but I know many of them have to get there on
their own.” The proof that his altruistic ulterior motive is making a
difference is evident in both the massive amount of volunteer work completed
during the current school year and the lessons students say they’ve taken from
their time in the class. Shields, an
alumnus of AmeriCorps and later an employee of Habitat for Humanity, can easily
list some of the more impressive numbers.
Fairmont Community Development Partnership
lays out spring, summer project plans
The Fairmont News (WV), May 3, 2017
In September of 1992, a small group
of concerned citizens met in a neighbor’s basement to discuss how to improve
the community more commonly known as the Maple/Ogden Jackson Addition area of
Fairmont. The stakeholders chose to form a board of directors and start a
nonprofit named The Fairmont Community Development Partnership (FCDP). This
year marks the 25th year of neighborhood revitalization efforts, which now
extend throughout blighted areas of Fairmont. After decades of solid community
and economic development feats, FCDP is tackling some new challenges while
continuing the good work we have always done. Efforts to improve community
outreach and engagement, as well as plans for developing more
community-oriented spaces, are a few new additions to our strategy moving
forward. This summer, we will be hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA, as well as an
intern from the WVU School of Public Administration.
AmeriCorps help prep community garden
KTVH-TV (MT), May 2, 2017
Eleven AmeriCorps members got their hands dirty Tuesday installing irrigation
throughout the afternoon in Helena’s Sixth Ward Community Garden. The members
from AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Gold 3 were on hand as part of a weeks long
project to get the garden up and running. Laurel Johnston, a member of the
group, said the team is preparing the community to take over the garden. “This
is really just laying the groundwork for everybody else to come in,” Johnston
said.
Billings will have AmeriCorps VISTA workers
another year after congressional deal
The Billings Gazette (MT), May 2, 2017
This week’s congressional spending
agreement averted a government shutdown and gave Brenda Beckett the green light
to continue recruiting recent college graduates to serve the Billings Metro
VISTA Project for another year. “Funding uncertainty sometimes creates
uncertainty in the applicant pool,” said Beckett, the city’s community
development manager. Among other duties, Beckett oversees the Volunteers in
Service to America program, which helps Billings residents escape poverty
through such initiatives as community gardens, tribal programs, youth education
and mentoring, housing, employment and financial literacy. “We bring in a
talented applicant pool, and then we pick the best applicants from around the
nation,” Beckett said, adding she plans to place about 20 year-long VISTAs as
well as a half-dozen in the VISTA summer associates program.
AmeriCorps helps spiff up Camp Hope for
camping season
The Reflector (WA), May 2, 2017
Through gusting wind, spring
downpours and occasional bursts of brilliant sunshine, the AmeriCorps team is
helping spiff up Camp Hope for the 2017 camping season. The team of 14 is
staying at the camp for six weeks while they work on various projects
throughout the community. Once a week, they work at the camp for a full day. On
the other days, they plant trees, clean brush and do a variety of other
projects that help strengthen communities and develop their leadership skills. This
team has come together from all over the country. They have already worked in
disaster efforts, education opportunities and environmental services within
several communities in the United States. Some of the team members see this as
a time to sharpen their skills and learn about other communities, while
deciding on their own future path. While Sadie had only been camping one
time before this venture, she is reveling in the experience of communing with
nature at Camp Hope.
Collection sites set up for dead trees,
branches
The Pueblo Chieftain (CO), May 2, 2017
The U.S. Forest Service and Middle
Arkansas Wildfire Prevention Partnership are teaming up to provide two dead
tree and branch collection sites to Custer and Pueblo County residents from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Property owners can drop off wood at the gravel pit on
Colorado 78, mile marker 1 in San Isabel; or at the Comanche/Venable Trailhead
on Forest Road 140 B, 6 miles southwest of Westcliffe. Property owners can drop
off wood at the gravel pit on Colorado 78, mile marker 1 in San Isabel; or at
the Comanche/Venable Trailhead on Forest Road 140 B, 6 miles southwest of
Westcliffe.
‘Connect,
Discover, Evolve’ with AmeriCorps
The Racquet (WI), May 2, 2017
Serve Wisconsin is announcing the life-changing opportunity for young adults to
join a new class of public servants across the state for Fall 2017. Five
Wisconsin AmeriCorps members have shared their stories of making invaluable
connections, discovering themselves and changing the world through their
service with AmeriCorps. Videos,
photos and stories of these members show the many benefits of joining
AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps has provided these members and many others an
opportunity to find their place after college and develop leadership skills
that will put them on the path to success and personal fulfillment. All members
in this campaign agree: Joining AmeriCorps is an incredibly positive, life
altering experience.
Marion's Blue Ridge Job Corps to host open
house to raise awareness of its offerings
SWVA Today (VA), May 2, 2017
“Blue Ridge Job Corps remains this
area’s best kept secret.” Mike Steele, business community liaison at BRJC in
Marion, invites the public to visit the center during an open house on May 3
and learn just why this facility is so important to the community. “We are hoping
to increase the public’s knowledge of what we offer,” said Steele. The
offerings include 15 industry recognized medical credentials, high school
diploma, GED, driver’s education, internship opportunities and job placement
services. Students participate in the community while there, both through
internships and community service, and go on to full-time careers. Steele said
that 98 percent of the students come from more than five hours away. “So that supports
my theory,” he said. BRJC was established in the former home of Marion College,
a Lutheran junior women’s college that operated from the late-1800s to the
mid-1960s.
How to get
a ‘kid fix’
55 Plus (NY),
April 28, 2017
No grandchildren? No problem. If you lack grandchildren or yours live too far
away to visit often, you can get your “kid fix” through any of the many local opportunities
to help children. In addition to benefiting the children, you’ll receive the
satisfaction of giving back to the community’s youngest residents. Ann
Cunningham, executive director of Rochester OASIS, said that the organization
offers a few intergenerational tutoring programs that pair up youngsters with
mature adults. The adult mentors can help them reading, math or whatever school
subject needs more one-on-one help.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Holds annual appreciation banquet
The Ruidoso News (NM), May 2, 2017
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Lincoln County, under the Corporation for National and Community Service, and sponsored by the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department and the Village of Ruidoso, once again held its annual appreciation banquet at the Ruidoso High School cafeteria April 28. Village of Ruidoso Mayor Tom Battin, was again the keynote speaker. After congratulating the volunteers for their tireless service to Ruidoso and to the surrounding area, he referred to the poem, “The Lanyard,” by Billy Collins, about a boy who makes a lanyard for his mother, thinking he will “repay” her for everything she has done for him, but finally concludes that, because of the magnitude of what she has done for him, he can only honor and appreciate her for it.
Strengthening Communities with the Friends Program
Girard at Large (NH), May 2, 2017
Rich talked Laura Scott of The Friends Program. Laura spoke about the non-profit organization, bringing awareness to their origin as a youth mentoring program and sharing about how they took on more programs as they grew. After discussing the youth program, she told Rich about their homeless shelter, the RSVP program, Foster Grandparent Program and more.The Friends Program was established in 1975 and works to strengthen communities by building relationships through volunteer involvement. They annually serve approximately 4,000 at-risk youth, homeless families and fragile seniors with by mobilizing approximately 800 volunteers, who contribute over 250,000 volunteer hours annually.
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