AmeriCorps Archives - Page 2 of 4

Nevada Outdoor School teaches the way in Rural Nevada!

Nevada Outdoor School AmeriCorps Program

Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) inspires exploration of the natural world, responsible stewardship of our habitat and dedication to community. As one of two AmeriCorps programs in Rural Nevada, NOS partners with a variety of host agencies to place AmeriCorps members in direct service to the community meeting locally identified needs.

In the first quarter of NOS’s 2011-12 grant, AmeriCorps members have already accomplished a lot!

Engaged 203 volunteers who have served more than 705 hours in their communities

Taught 15 Red Cross programs

Served 1,267 individuals at a local soup kitchen

Delivers meals to 875 home bound seniors and served 1112 seniors lunch in a congregate setting

Began tutoring 37 youth in Lander County to improve math and reading skills.

Assisted 108 seniors in Humboldt county access services

Provided outreach at 2 community events concerning Domestic Violence touching then lives of 160 individuals.

Amount of 2011-2012 funding received through Nevada Volunteers: $154,720

Number of AmeriCorps members serving in rural Nevada: 17 members (more…)

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

(more…)

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

NOS_Community_Fair7

NOS_AmeriCorps_Red_Cross_Canvass3

NOS_AmeriCorps_Red_Cross_Canvass1

MLK7

MLK5

MLK2

NOS_Community_Fair10

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…)

Governor Sandoval Makes Service a Cornerstone of His Administration

Nevada Volunteers was thrilled to have Governor Brian Sandoval hammering down shingles with our AmeriCorps members at a Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas project early on MLK Day. By afternoon, he was up north, mingling with young people at a presentation on cyber-bullying hosted by the Children’s Cabinet AmeriCorps program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Truckee Meadows.

MLK Day 2011: A Day On, Not A Day Off

“Service above self will be the cornerstone of my administration as Governor,” Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval proclaimed. He joined approximately 70 AmeriCorps members bright and early in Las Vegas, Nevada on Martin Luther King Jr. Day morning to celebrate the Day of Service.

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, Nevada Volunteers’ AmeriCorps members gathered together to build three special homes in honor of the 25^th anniversary of the holiday recognizing one of America’s great heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More than 40 years after his death, Dr. King’s example continues to guide Nevadans in addressing the state’s most critical issues.

The event in southern Nevada brought together AmeriCorps State members from Great Basin Institute’s Nevada Conservation Corps, Luz Community Development Coalition, and the United Way of Southern Nevada, along with AmeriCorps VISTA members serving southern Nevada nonprofit agencies. The Governor jumped in to lend a hand with the AmeriCorps members, at one point even aiding them on the roof by nailing on shingles. (more…)

Thank You for Your Support!

On behalf of Nevada Volunteers and the AmeriCorps members serving throughout our communities, thank you for your dedicated support of the "Amass for AmeriCorps" campaign this holiday season! Nevada Volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to share ten in-depth and inspirational AmeriCorps…

Last Chance to Give!

Nevada Volunteers knows you care about continuing Nevada’s service and volunteer efforts. That’s why we are reminding you that this is your final chance to make a tax-deductible donation for 2010. Remember, all gifts to Nevada Volunteers are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Thanks to your generous contributions, Nevada Volunteers has raised $1,300 for the Nevada AmeriCorps programs this holiday season and has had the ability to share our AmeriCorps members inspirational stories with you. But we need your help if we want our communities to continually receive the chance to grow and prosper. We hope you’ll join us as we work to continue Nevada AmeriCorps programs, helping Nevadans to enrich their lives through service and our communities to benefit from their incredible efforts.

Please don’t miss this opportunity to give back to our communities through admirable programs. For more information about Nevada’s AmeriCorps programs, visit blue.nevadavolunteers.org. (more…)