Days of Service Archives - Nevada Volunteers

The Main Course: Community Discussion

Youth from the Reno community came together to discuss issues and create solutions in honor of MLK Day of Service.

Children’s Cabinet AmeriCorps members hosted a Sunday Supper for twenty-seven youth in the Reno community in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his ability to bring the community together to discuss issues, and create solutions to those issues. They discussed civil rights and how Dr. King shared his mission of equality through peaceful means. Children’s Cabinet AmeriCorps Program Director, Laura Marineau, facilitated the discussion with AmeriCorps Alum, Jason Brown.

Hanin Abboud, a Children’s Cabinet AmeriCorps member serving at Washoe County School District’s preschool at the Community Assistance Center’s homeless shelter, shared her insights on discussing civil rights as a female immigrant from Israel. She loved that she was able to give her opinion and create ideas about how the children could make a difference in someone else’s life. (more…)

A Whole New Look in Southern Nevada!

AmeriCorps Members from United Way of Southern Nevada and Luz Community Development Coalition make MLK Day, "A Day On, Not A Day Off."

Over 200 community volunteers joined AmeriCorps members from United Way of Southern Nevada and Luz Community Development Coalition to revitalize the City Impact Center in Las Vegas. City Impact Center is a community outreach center in the heart of Las Vegas that encourages, empowers and equips community members to better themselves and their families. The City Impact Center integrates faith-based solutions and mobilizes people to act in their community.

Volunteers spent the day cleaning up trash and overgrown plants, painting, or giving the Center a head-to-toe scrubbing. City Impact Center shines from the hard work of the volunteers:

A clean and freshly painted recreation center for youth after-school programs
A clean and freshly painted preschool with three inspirational and diverse murals to brighten the facility
Freshly painted parking lines for safety

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MLK Day: Hard Work Makes A Dream Come True

Bright and early on MLK Day, 35 Great Basin Institute Nevada Conservation Corps (NCC) AmeriCorps members gathered with volunteers from Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a family in need. Members spent the day helping the single mother create a home of her own, and worked tirelessly to clean up three empty lots surrounding the house so that she could feel pride in her neighborhood when she looked out her window.

Krista Johnson, NCC member, shared her experience, ” I was initially disappointed that I wouldn’t be working on the house and would be cleaning up trash and pulling weeds at a vacant lot across the street until I realized the view the family would have from the front would be that of the vacant lot. It reminded me that a house never stands alone; it’s always a part of a neighborhood, the way a person is never just a single person but part of a community. By helping beautify and improve the neighborhood, we were helping the family too. In the end, I felt great about our work on MLK Day.” (more…)

MLK Day of Service at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada!

Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps members Kim Daniels (left), Kimberly Carsten (middle), and Matt McEttrick (right) at the Food Bank facility at the end of the Martin Luther King service day.

Northern Nevada families will receive 5,000 pounds of produce and 9,000 pounds of canned food because of 30 volunteers who made MLK Day “A Day On, Not A Day Off”.

AmeriCorps members from Great Basin Institute’s Nevada Conservation Corps (NCC) and community volunteers joined together to help the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Kimberley Carsten, an NCC member reflects on her experience, “I was most impressed that they [Northern Nevada Food Bank] can provide four meals for just one dollar. That means they are making the most of the items and money that are donated. I was proud to work for this organization for the day; making a big impact on the community in a time where so many people are depending on their services to feed their families.” (more…)

MLK Day of Service in Rural Nevada!

Community Fair

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Community Fair

Red Cross Canvassing

This year in rural Nevada, 14 local AmeriCorps members from Nevada Outdoor School, planned a weekend of activities to give back in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

AmeriCorps members planned and hosted a local nonprofit community services fair to highlight and showcase the services offered in order to connect community members with those who provide essential services in the area. 18 nonprofits were in attendance, available to answer questions, and provide information to the attending community members.

Lisamarie Barnett, Nevada Outdoor School AmeriCorps member, described the nonprofit fair. “All the vendors showed up and were bustling around, arranging their tables and standing ready for the crowd. The representatives were all very outgoing and eager to answer questions and network with other organizations.”

After the nonprofit fair, AmeriCorps members organized eight additional volunteers to help the Red Cross canvass neighborhoods and inform residents about fire safety and preparedness. The outcome was excellent! 300 homes were canvassed in Elko, Nevada and 106 people came to the door and spoke with an AmeriCorps member or a volunteer. In Winnemucca, Nevada, the group canvassed a total of 200 homes and spoke with 52 people. (more…)