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The national service family is saddened by the tragic loss of life and devastation resulting from Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. We are grateful to the international organizations and agencies engaged in the relief effort. We encourage you to learn more about how you can help.
 Dear Colleagues and Communicators,
Service to country takes many forms. For
some of our young people, it means shouldering a rifle or climbing into a
cockpit. For others, it means helping a child graduate, assisting the
jobless, or rebuilding after a natural disaster. Read on to see how we are
fostering the connection between military service and national service:
Veterans Day
AmeriCorps Director Bill Basl joined Rep. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, and local leaders this week at the inaugural opening of a Chicago food pantry at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. TaQuoya
Kennedy, an Air Force veteran serving in AmeriCorps, is mobilizing volunteers for this
effort. Meanwhile, David Gosling, an AmeriCorps VISTA member and Army veteran, attended a special White House breakfast to honor those who have given so much.
Looking Ahead
CEO Wendy Spencer will join Gen.
Stanley McChrystal on Tuesday to celebrate the graduating class of AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps members
in Sacramento. AmeriCorps NCCC was inspired by the best principles of the
Civilian Conservation Corps and the military, and we are proud to honor the tradition of service. Meanwhile, Sacramento's incoming AmeriCorps NCCC class was recently welcomed to campus, where they formed a giant "XX" (above) to rep their year of service - the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps.
Lastly -- stay tuned later today for an exciting announcement about mayors and national service!
Thank
you and have a great weekend,
The
External Affairs Team
 AmeriCorps Hearts Batkid: A team of FEMA Corps members shows love to Batkid - the San Francisco five-year old whose Make-A-Wish dream is coming true thanks to thousands of volunteers.
AmeriCorps
Parkway grad gives back through AmeriCorps program
St. Louis Jewish Light (MO), November 13, 2013
Not only is 22-year-old Ben Rubin living in the city of his dreams, but the
2009 Parkway Central graduate also spends every day educating kids in
underperforming schools. Rubin has taken a job at Chicago-based City
Year, an AmeriCorps program that places young educators in underperforming
schools to help at-risk students. The ultimate goal is curb the current
national dropout crisis.
AmeriCorps NCCC
NCCC volunteers roll up sleeves at Fort Verde
The Bugle (AZ), November 14, 2013
Nicole Armstrong-Best describes the AmeriCorps NCCC program as a domestic Peace Corps. "Not only do state and local governments and nonprofits - like Habitat for Humanity - get much needed help, but these young people get a detailed understanding of community service and the needs out there," Armstrong-Best said.
AmeriCorps VISTA
Volunteer's goal: Healthful eating
Portage Daily Register (WI), November 10, 2013
Megan Evans, a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is
two months into her one-year term as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. She’s
working under the auspices of the University of Wisconsin-Extension Columbia
County, but her mission – promoting healthy eating habits – will take her to
places such as grocery store aisles, the Portage Public Library, Head Start and
area schools.
Senior Corps
"SHIP" is helping others with Medicare plan
KJCT-TV (CO), November 14, 2013
Since open enrollment for Medicare started in October 15 nearly 40 people
came to SHIP for help. There's only a few short weeks left to review your
coverage and make changes before the December 7 deadline. SHIP is
affiliated with RSVP, an organization that offers volunteer opportunities for
senior citizens. Wednesday's event was held at US Bank's lower level where
professional counselors were there to answer questions and provide resources.
Boys & Girls Clubs are fun places to make good
choices
OregonLive.com (OR), November 7, 2013
Joe Mahoney, known as “Grandpa
Joe,” started volunteering this summer, after helping in schools for 12 years
through the Foster Grandparent Program. With literacy as his goal, he’s working
with two brothers who are behind on their reading. The Boys & Girls Clubs focus on collective learning and career development, and providing structure outside school. Kids at the Blazers Club also participate in programs in the arts room, tech room, literacy room, teen room, gym and games room or get homework help.
West seniors reunite over six months after explosion
KXXV-TV (TX), November 11, 2013
More than six months after the fertilizer plant explosion in West, former seniors of
a destroyed rest home are reunited. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program,
which has aided in over 80 other West events, helped make the reunion happen.
The Atrium in North Waco hosted the event where former West New Haven Rest Home residents were brought. Since the
explosion the seniors have be scattered across Central Texas.
Social Innovation Fund
An Important New Task for the U.S. Government
Forbes (NY), November 4, 2013
The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) is showing real results and has changed the conversation about scale and impact. The SIF was created in 2010 at the Corporation for National and Community Service. The program leverages public and private resources to identify the most promising community solutions and help scale them.
National Service Blog
Profiles in Service: Army Veteran Annette Parker
NationalService.gov, November 10, 2013
After that chance meeting, Annette embarked on a 23-year career in the U.S. Army. Now she uses the lessons she learned in the military in her current work as a volunteer with Senior Corps RSVP, one of the largest volunteer networks in the country for people age 55 and older. As part of RSVP’s Vets Driving Vets Initiative in Brevard County, FL, Annette has volunteered more than 200 hours and driven more than 2,000 miles in the past year to help those in need.
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