National Service in the News for Saturday, May 6, 2017 through Monday, May 8, 2017.
Dozens
of women turn out for Habitat build
The Hawaii Tribune Herald (HI), May 8, 2017
With a swing of a hammer and a pull of a saw, more than 60 women on Saturday
helped two local families get that much closer to realizing the dream of
homeownership. The dozens of women were among about 100 total people taking
part in a build organized as part of Habitat for Humanity’s National Women
Build Week, which runs from Saturday through May 14. Nationwide, the initiative
invites women to spend one day helping families in their community to “build
strength, stability and independence through housing,” according to the
national Habitat for Humanity organization. In September 2013, Habitat for
Humanity West Hawaii purchased six lots from the county at Kamakoa Nui to build
houses for families below 80 percent of the median income line, according to
news files. The first four houses were blessed in February, bringing the
organization’s total to 32 homes in West Hawaii.
Little
Rock Elementary School Gardening Program Helps Combat Childhood Obesity
Little Rock Family (AR), May 8, 2017
Eight Little Rock School District elementary schools are working to combat
childhood obesity through a program called Love Your School. The program serves
4,000 students and teaches them how to grow, cook and eat fruits and
vegetables. Each grade cultivates a garden, learns about nutrition and hosts
student-run events such as farmers markets. There are also cooking classes for
parents and health fairs twice a year at each of the schools. The program was
previously run through a partnership with AmeriCorps but was restructured this
year to partner with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; student interns
help run the program.
My
Turn: Volunteering to help others changed my life
The Salisbury Post (MD), May 8, 2017
After graduating from South Rowan High in 2015, I attended Rowan Cabarrus
Community College for one semester. College seemed to be the standard route,
but it just did not feel like the path I wanted to follow at the time. A
passion that had been brewing for many years is to serve others. Ready to serve
in any role, I took a year to do just that. AmeriCorps NCCC (National
Civilian Community Corps) changed my world. I joined in July 2016 with a
10-month commitment. I was assigned to the Southern Region in Vicksburg, Miss.,
one of five campuses in the U.S. Selected to be part of the subsection FEMA
Corps, I spent one month of training involving diversity awareness, disaster
preparedness, public speaking and professional development, and I learned about
FEMA and its mission.
Iowa
Reading Corp tutoring children across the state of Iowa
KTIV-TV (IA), May 7, 2017
A mind is a terrible thing to waste. And to make sure that no student goes
unchallenged when it comes to reading, the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation
has partnered with Tyson Foods and AmeriCorps. Children grades K-3rd are an
area of focus for the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation. The third grade reading level is a crucial point in a child's
development. "By the time they get to third grade the text that
students are reading in different content areas starts to switch from learning
to read to reading to learn, learning information," said Mimi Moore,
Principal Spalding Park Elementary. The Iowa Reading Corp who oversees
the statewide initiative says it wants to ensure that all Iowa students are on
track and reading at grade level by the third grade.
AmeriCorps, Delta Regional Authority will receive funding through Sept. 30, official says
The Vicksburg Post (MS), May 5, 2017
AmeriCorps and the Delta Regional Authority - two programs slated for extinction by President Trump - will be funded through Sept. 30 under the 2017 Consolidation Appropriations Act passed Wednesday by Congress, officials with both organizations said Thursday. "We've been operating on continuing resolutions for quite some time, and we've got our budget and we got even a bump up from what the president asked last year," said Delta Regional Authority Chairman Chris Masingill.
Flint River patrols to increase under program expansion
The Bristol Herald Courier (VA), May 7, 2017
Additional patrols will be hitting the Flint River Trail in and around the city's downtown area following an expansion of a University of Michigan-Flint program. The patrols will be added beginning this week through the end of October, the Flint Journal reported. The university announced the addition of two golf carts for the River Trail Watchers program in partnership with several local community organizations and police departments, as well as new weekend patrols along 15 miles of the river. University Department of Public Safety director Ray Hall says the response has been positive toward the program's 2016 pilot year and they would like the effort to continue moving forward with aid from a $200,000 Urban Safety Corps grant through the United Way of Genesee County.
Rain has stopped, but water still a problem in Valley Park
KTVI-TV (MO), May 5, 2017
The rain may have ceased and the sun may have returned, but flooding is still very much a reality in places like Valley Park. Aerial footage from the past week shows the magnitude of flood waters that have ravaged local businesses and residences. Subdivisions like Highland Village and Summertree are in desperate need of assistance from volunteers as the cleanup begins. Alderman Mike White and the City of Valley Park have coordinated a cleanup effort with St. Louis County, the Salvation Army, and AmeriCorps. They're providing some equipment to clean up by adding dumpsters and front-loaders to portions of Valley Park. But now man-power is needed as thousands of sandbags still need to be taken down.
Volunteer Florida puts Service Spotlight on Children of Inmates, Inc.
The Foster Folly News (FL), May 7, 2017
With the support of AmeriCorps members, Children of Inmates enhanced bonding programs at 16 correctional facilities and organized over 400 bonding visits in 2016. In addition, AmeriCorps members launched a literacy campaign, 5,000 Books Read, to encourage children and their incarcerated parent to read books aloud during bonding visits. Over the last several months, children have read over 250 books during their visits. Additionally, AmeriCorps members have collected over 2,500 donated books. AmeriCorps members also recruited 75 community volunteers, providing 1,078 hours of volunteer service to build the capacity for bonding visit trips. Amazing work, Children of Inmates!
Student
Loan Forgiveness And 6 Ways To Have Debt For Education Paid Off
Yahoo Finance, May 7, 2017
As the cost of a college education continues to rise, student loans become both
more necessary and more burdensome. A study by One Wisconsin Institute revealed
that on average, a graduate with a bachelor's degree will take 21 years to
repay their student loans -- and the repayment period is even longer for those
holding advanced degrees. If you'd like some help getting rid of your own
student loan debt, consider taking part in one of these student loan
forgiveness programs.
City
Year Hosts Star-Studded Spring Break: Destination Education Event
Style & Society (CA), May 7, 2017
City Year Los Angeles’ hosted the 7th annual Spring Break: Destination
Education, their largest fundraising event open to teens, tweens and adults in
support of education on May 6 at Sony Studios. Host Octavia Spencer, City Year
AmeriCorps members and celeb supporters including Mahershala Ali, Orlando
Bloom, Liam Hemsworth, Ne-Yo, Emma Roberts, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jussie Smollett,
Pharrell Williams and Zendaya was in attendance. There was also a special
performance by OneRepublic, as well as food, games and interactive booths. City
Year is a national education-based nonprofit organization that helps high-need
urban schools keep students in school and on track to graduate.
Volunteer Florida: See what’s going on
The Foster Folly News (FL), May 7, 2017
In April, Volunteer Florida held our second annual Emergency Management Convening in Tampa, Florida. This event brought together partners from across the state for training sessions on volunteers and donations management and other emergency management issues. Over 150 individuals representing 24 counties and 43 cities from across the state, including 70 County Emergency Management Officials and local volunteer partners, participated in the conference. During the Emergency Management Convening, attendees participated in a Comcast Cares Day service project, assembling flood buckets for those impacted by Hurricane Hermine and Hurricane Matthew.
State
College Named a Tree City USA for 33rd Year
State College (PA), May 7, 2017
State College has been recognized as a Tree City USA by The Arbor Day
Foundation for the 33rd consecutive year. To receive the designation a
community must meet four standards. They include establishing a tree board or
department that is legally responsible for taking care of all trees on
municipal property; a community tree care ordinance; a community forestry
program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; and an Arbor Day
observance and proclamation. “Everyone benefits when elected officials,
volunteers, and committed citizens in communities make smart investments in
urban forests,” said Matt Harris, chief Executive of The Arbor Day Foundation,
in a statement.
Regional
AmeriCorps VISTA service opportunities available
The Brainerd Dispatch (MN), May 7, 2017
The Initiative Foundation is seeking participants to serve as national service
members in its AmeriCorps Volunteers In Service To America program. Fourteen
year-long positions are available in Brainerd, Backus, Little Falls, Maple
Lake, St. Cloud, Sebeka and Waite Park. "We're committed to helping our
VISTA service members discover and grow their personal and professional talents
during their year of national service," stated Amanda Whittemore, program
specialist for the Initiative Foundation's AmeriCorps VISTA program, in a news
release.
Our
Good Deeds: Local man to spend 10 months with AmeriCorps program
The Rapid City Journal (SD), May 7, 2017
A Rapid City native has pledged 10 months of service to a national service
organization. Joshua Haisch of Rapid City will serve with the Atlantic
Region’s 23rd class of the National Civilian Community Corps, according to a
release from AmeriCorps. The NCCC is an AmeriCorps program. Haisch is one of
126 men and women pledging to perform 10 months of national service in the
program, "getting things done for America while strengthening communities
and developing his leadership skills," according to the release. “I want
to serve my community because I believe it is our duty as human beings to help
each other and be active parts of our society,” Haisch said in the release.
Myriad
of programs available at library
Record Courier (OH), May 7, 2017
Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna offers many different programs for all ages in
May. Adults may visit the library at 1:30 p.m. May 17 for an informal
discussion of the book "The Last Camel Died at Noon" by Elizabeth
Peters. In this Amelia Peabody mystery, Amelia finds herself caught in a web of
treachery and deceit when she receives an ancient papyrus that contains an
archaeologist's plea for help. Light refreshments will be available or
participants may bring their own bagged lunch. Copies of the book will be
available to borrow at the Circulation desk.
Community
turns out for annual April spring-cleaning
KRTV (MT), May 6, 2017
NeighborWorks Great Falls hosted its 34th annual “MApril” Cleanup effort
on Saturday. Organizers say more than a thousand people overall will volunteer
for this event, and will have cleaned up roughly twenty tons of
rubbish and waste in the communities of Great Falls, Black Eagle, and
Manchester. Girl Scouts, family volunteers, and AmeriCorps VISTA members met at
Gibson Park to pick up garbage. More than 200 Malmstrom Air Force Base
personnel also pitched in by cleaning up garbage on River's Edge Trail, and by
driving dump trucks and pickups from the base, all over the communities picking
up unwanted debris in alleyways.
No
summer melt: Programs help students negotiate college route
The Sioux City Journal (IA), May 6, 2017
On Friday, several seniors at West High School in Sioux City energetically took
markers and wrote their names on posters with the names of varying colleges,
signing those where they plan to attend in a few months. They are three weeks
from donning gowns to graduate. Graduating seniors can have the grades and the
diploma to move to the college level, but some won't get far without financial
aid to cover the often considerable costs, which are often at least $20,000 per
year. Some will unfortunately fall victim to "the summer melt"
factor, where following through with all the details to get to college don't
get carried out and they don't make it to campus, Sioux City School District
official Jen Gomez said.
Helena
YMCA saw kids achieve in summer school program at Bryant
The Independent Record (MT), May 6, 2017
Until last summer, Helena didn’t have a summer program for low-income kids who
were struggling academically. That’s when the YMCA stepped in and started the
YMCA Summer Literacy Academy at Bryant School, with 13 kids signed up. Now
they’re entering year two, running June 19 to Aug. 9. They’d already enrolled
23 students as of last week and are making room for more. All are either going
into first or second grade. “We’re very excited that the school district has
really gotten on board this year,” said Helena YMCA CEO David Smith. This year
Helena School District is kicking in about $7,000 to help expand the program to
45 kids. The national YMCA of the USA and a private donor are also helping to
make this happen, and the program will use AmeriCorps volunteers to help, as
well.
Tending the Path
The Times Argus (VT), May 6, 2017
Montpelier High School soccer players
Kaleth Torrens-Martin, left, and Ian Keene mulch around a Zestar apple tree
Friday along the Montpelier recreation path. Members of the team and a crew of
AmeriCorps volunteers spent the morning removing invasive weeds and tending
fruit and nut trees in a day of community service.
Good
News: Fairfield resident pledges 10 months of national service
The Daily Republic (CA), May 6, 2017
Kwame-Sename Akoto of
Fairfield will spend 10 months getting things done for America while
strengthening communities and developing his leadership skills through 10
months with the AmeriCorps.
Akoto and his team will work on a variety of projects and service areas,
focusing on infrastructure improvement, urban and rural development, energy
conservation, disaster response and recovery efforts and environmental work. He
may work with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, the National Park Service and various state agencies and
nonprofit organizations.
Brewster
ref nabs MIAA award
The Cape Cod Times (MA), May 5, 2017
Brewster resident Rachel Hutchinson has been named the Massachusetts
Interscholastic Activities Association’s Official of the Year for girls ice
hockey. The MIAA announced all 22 award recipients Monday. Hutchinson, a
34-year-old from New York, has been officiating since 1999, moving here in 2005
to work with AmeriCorps Cape Cod. “I grew up playing hockey, so it was a way to
earn a little extra money while playing,” Hutchinson said. “I do like
refereeing. It’s a way to stay involved in the game, and it’s a way to at the
lower levels give back to the kids who are playing.”
Perryville
tornado shows value of mapping systems, planning
Midwest Messenger (NE), May 5, 2017
New technology and old-school knowledge mixed in the aftermath of the
tornado that struck Perry County Feb. 28. The EF4 tornado ripped a 14-mile-long
path through Perryville, population 8,225, and rural Perry County in
southeastern Missouri. One motorist died when the tornado lifted a parked car
and slammed it into the path of traffic on Interstate 55. The tornado stripped
more than 50 homes and farm buildings to their foundations. University of
Missouri Extension natural resources engineer Frank Wideman stepped into action
to direct volunteer efforts as part of the Community Emergency Response Team.
Wideman and others prepared for this role for many years.
Phenomenal
Woman - Garst named 2017 Most Influential Women honoree
Miami OK (FL), May 5, 2017
Many give excellent lip service to humanitarian and community efforts, but
Mackenzie Garst has always strived to be boots on the ground in such endeavors.
Now serving as the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa
County, Garst has been designated as a one of the Joplin Regional Business
Journal’s 2017 Class of Most Influential Women. Honorees are nominated annually
by community members in the Four State region and then selected by an
independent panel of judges. Submissions are narrowed down to a distinguished
list of 15 who are honored in the summer at a special luncheon and then
profiled in the Business Journal. Garst’s selection as one of this year’s Most
Influential Women is a reflection of the community’s recognition of her notable
career in nonprofits and vision of leadership.
Jules
DeFriese Is New AmeriCorps Vista For The Lula Lake Land Trust
Chattanoogan (TN), May 5, 2017
The Lula Lake Land Trust's first AmeriCorps Vista, Holley Roberts, will be
replaced by Jules DeFriese. Officials said, "Holley has been
instrumental in launching our educational programming, getting our pollinator
garden started, and participating in Adopt-a-Stream water quality testing.
Under her tenure, she has hosted over 400 school age children from preschool
through high school from Walker County and Chattanooga area schools. Ms.
DeFriese grew up in Chattanooga and moved to California in her mid 20's to
work with youth in recreation in the private sector. In 2004, she adopted a
sibling group of four from California foster care (Moises, 21, Gissella, 17,
Victor, 15 and Lupe, 14).
Two
Lick Valley Social Center honored
The Indiana Gazette (PA), May 7, 2017
Community Action Inc. announced the Two Lick Valley Social Center was selected
to be the Senior Corps-RSVP Volunteer Station of the Month for May. The center
has been a Senior Corps-RSVP Station since 1990. Betsy Miller, the center
director who has been with the center since 1997, said she feels volunteering
gives seniors a social life and makes people feel good. “Our door is always
open to new volunteers and participants. We are looking for individuals willing
to teach and learn other skills such as crafts, office work, crocheting,
knitting and food preparation,” Miller said. “The center is open Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.” Clymer residents are welcome to visit the
center and view the festive decorations; currently a beautiful flower tree is
on display.
Elder
orphans a growing concern in North Dakota, where 1 out of 3 seniors live alone
The Bismarck Tribune (ND), May 6, 2017
Elsie Brenkworth doesn’t like people telling her what to do. So when her
daughter who lives in Maryland lined up someone to visit the 93-year-old weekly
at her home here, Brenkworth resisted. Volunteer companion Mary McCormack, 64,
admits it was a stumbling start for the two. “At first, she tried to get rid of
me,” McCormack laughed, “so we did have some weeks when we didn’t get
together.” Now, their friendship is humming along, with a two- to three-hour
visit every Tuesday. “I do enjoy her, and I look forward to her coming,”
Brenkworth said. Brenkworth is among a growing number of seniors in the state
who live alone. In fact, North Dakota tops all states in the percentage of
seniors living solo, a situation that for some means a day-to-day feeling of
deep isolation.
Quality
Life Concepts seeks help with fundraiser
Great Falls Tribune (MT), May 6, 2017
Quality Life Concepts is looking for a few aces to help out with its annual
Vegas in the Falls fundraiser. The May 20th event is the nonprofit’s biggest
fundraiser of the year, raising money to provide direct support care for more
than 120 adults with disabilities and early intervention for more than 700
children across nine northcentral Montana counties. Volunteers are needed to
wrap silent auction baskets in the two weeks prior to the event. Another 15-20
volunteers are needed that night to help run the silent auction. Ushers are
needed to help guests to designated tables.
Washington
County recognizes community involvement award winners
The Lowdown (MN), May 6, 2017
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized Community Involvement
Award-winning volunteers for their service April 25. The board also approved a
resolution acknowledging the many Washington County volunteers who contribute
their skills, time and energy for the betterment of the community. The
resolution proclaims April 23-29 as National Volunteer Week in Washington
County. The awards were presented in conjunction with Community Thread, a
nonprofit social services agency based in Stillwater, serving residents
throughout the county. This is the 42nd year that Community Thread and Washington
County have partnered to recognize exceptional volunteers through the Community
Involvement Awards. Community Thread and the Washington County Board of
Commissioners recognized these volunteers with awards April 25.
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