HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM NEVADA VOLUNTEERS!

“Amass for AmeriCorps” has struck a chord in our hearts, reminding us that the true spirit of the holidays comes from people who continue to give of themselves to improve communities throughout Nevada.

As the State Commission that promotes volunteerism, Nevada Volunteers sees the variety of avenues to contribute to our communities. This made us wonder, what are you doing this holiday season to give back? How are you giving of your time, talent, or treasure to those in your community?

This holiday season, Nevada Volunteers is grateful for all the volunteers in our great state. Without these everyday heroes, our communities would no longer continue to prosper and grow. And because of these individuals, our communities are able to offer those in need a special holiday.

From all us at Nevada Volunteers, we thank the great volunteers in Nevada and wish you a happy Holiday! We look forward to hearing of your wonderful contributions to our communities! (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 9

Behind the chain link fence and a few feet from the railroad tracks, through the winter landscape you can distinguish the red, green, brown, and blue of tents. Hidden away from Reno’s busy downtown area, at 4th and Record Street, these tents house people of all walks of life who ended up with no other place to live. They found their way to Reno’s Resource Center where people and their pets can receive the help they need. In the middle of this fragmented and impoverished group of people, you will find the heart of AmeriCorps pulsing strong through Karen Wilcox.

“As an AmeriCorps volunteer, I am lucky to have been chosen to help these folks move on to a more worthwhile existence.” Karen helps her clients by providing direction for specific resources as they fit the needs of each individual such as information about clinics, shelters, and food banks. She also is the primary point person for securing service donors for the annual service providers fair, a one-stop opportunity to receive free haircuts, dental care, clothing, and job information. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 8

One person CAN make a difference…

AmeriCorps Alum Zenaida Solano did it by breaking language barriers!

Zenaida Solano served as Nye County community’s AmeriCorps Hispanic Advocate, taking on large tasks to help the Hispanic community of Pahrump, Nevada receive the aid and services they deserve. She provided over 700 translations and/or interpretations for the Spanish-speaking community. Her primary role was working with the Nye County School District to help parents deal with the school system in areas of truancy, suspension, special education planning, parent-teacher conferences, behavior intervention, and registration. She helped parents get immunizations for their children starting kindergarten, helped secure medical appointments, and helped complete tax forms all through breaking the language barrier and being their translator. Throughout all of her efforts, she served as a resource for her own workplace to ensure cultural sensitivity when collaborating with the Hispanic Community by improving the knowledge and skills of fellow staff members. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 7

What inspires Celinda Pena to volunteer? “It’s the faces and the reactions I get from the people that I touch the lives of.”

Celinda was born in San Isidro, Cabañas, El Salvador. Her family relocated to Las Vegas in 1993 when she was 4 years old. After graduating from Desert Pine High School in 2007, she began classes at UNLV and joined AmeriCorps to serve through the United Way of Southern Nevada program. “AmeriCorps is a perfect opportunity for me to develop and grow as an individual. I started when I was 17 and now I am 21. I have really seen a big difference in how I touch people’s lives.”

Celinda decided to serve a second AmeriCorps term because she enjoyed being able to make a difference. She became a Luz Community Development Coalition AmeriCorps member in October 2009 and is currently the volunteer coordinator at Luz, where she recruits and manages a diverse group of volunteers that serve a number of area nonprofit organizations. Many of her volunteers are college students. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 6

A willingness to work hard and a great attitude – that is what Amanda Schwantes brought to her AmeriCorps year with the Parasol AmeriCorps Team in Incline Village, Nevada. Amanda took charge of her assignment as a volunteer recruiter for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association with gusto.

For the Rim Trail, a scenic trail system along the crest of the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe, it was a time of major expansion. That meant finding more volunteers, lots of them. It was a huge job. Amanda understood she had to get out of the office and get her hands dirty—literally, working side-by-side with the volunteers on the trail, getting grubby, sharing blisters and jokes and small talk. She realized the secret to finding and keeping volunteers was the personal touch, letting volunteers know their effort would be recognized and appreciated. Attending every tabling event available in the Reno-Tahoe area, she reached out with a big smile and passion for the hard but gratifying work the volunteers would find if they signed up. The result: Amanda recruited more volunteers than ever. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps! Field Update 5

Dannyn Smith was awarded Nevada AmeriCorps Member of the Year in 2010. Why? Take a moment and read about his AmeriCorps success story!

Dannyn had just graduated from high school when he signed up for the Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program, which works throughout Nevada on public lands doing field research and conservation service. “Entering the Corps at 19, I was unsure of myself and did not know if I had what it took to fulfill my commitment.” Dannyn embraced the challenge, working 10 hour days in rain and freezing temperatures, carrying tools weighing up to 25 pounds for miles in and out of a trail. He never complained, in fact he flourished. Before the end of his first year, his natural leadership skills became apparent. Dannyn was promoted to Crew Leader and then Senior Crew Leader in his second year, making him the youngest person given a supervisory position in the NCC program. (more…)

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