Each year, Nevada Volunteers is overwhelmed by the amount of nominations and the inspiring stories submitted for the Governor’s Points of Light Awards. Our distinguished panel of judges selected the following three finalists for this year. These three individuals will be honored at the awards luncheon on January 18, 2013, and the recipient of the category will be announced. Congratulations to the finalists and thank you for your service to our communities!

Southern Nevada Individual Finalists for the

2013 Governor’s Points of Light Awards

Brendon Dillman During the past two years as President of the Teen Explorer Volunteer Program at Valley Hospital, Brendon Dillman has scheduled weekly presentations, volunteer assignments and education speakers for 50 teenage volunteers that are interested in future medical careers. Because of Brendon’s leadership, the volunteer program has grown enough to include an Emergency Department training for the teens to achieve access to volunteer in the Emergency Department without the need of constant supervision by the hospital staff. This has allowed the hospital staff additional time to spend with patients while the teen volunteers stock supplies, transport, deliver lab work, escort patient family members, and offer patients pillows, blankets, ice chips, etc. From 2011-2012 the Teen Explorer Program had 84 participants that contributed 6,117 hours. Brendon himself has contributed 1,021 hours from October 2009 to present through the Emergency Department Explorer Program and summer volunteering. (more…)

We spelled AmeriCorps thanks to our generous donors! Can we spell it again?

When I started my freshman year at the University of Nevada Reno as an honors student, I was lucky enough to come across Alex Ellison, the AmeriCorps VISTA that had just been placed in the Honors Program. During her term of service, she had created a service club that I participated in, and told me about the opportunity to be a VISTA with Nevada Volunteers that coming summer. I jumped at the chance because I knew this was an amazing opportunity for me to gain new skills, to explore the nonprofit sector, and most importantly, to make a difference.

During my term, I was placed with Nevada Volunteers, where I worked on a number of different projects, but the main project that I worked on was creating a resource for the University of Nevada, Reno that housed volunteer opportunities that were specifically for college students, and were organized by major, interest, and skill set. I also worked on developing the alternative break program at the University. (more…)

On this Teacher’s Appreciation Day, all of us at Nevada Volunteers would like to thank the teachers that made a difference and impacted our lives, as well as those that continue to lead our future generations to a brighter future. We acknowledge the uphill battle that today’s educators face, and for that it is our honor to oversee AmeriCorps programs that foster a passion of learning and an environment to learn, and do our part in helping today’s teachers as well as encouraging others to help too.

Last year in Nevada, AmeriCorps members made significant strides in serving the education world:

• Provided case management/academic support to 286 students and families
  • 80% of those students showed improved attendance
• Educated 651 teen parents through the Infinite Campus software and provided them with local resources
• Educated 429 students/youth in energy-efficient and environmentally conscious practices
• Presented higher education option to 8,365 high school students through gotocollege.com
• Offered after-school education programs, in which 1,160 students completed the program

(more…)