Don’t Waste Another Summer on Facebook — Get Out There and Volunteer!

With summer almost over, what would you say you accomplished? Did you go on a family vacation? Did you spend time with friends? Or did you spend your summer on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.?

While social media continues to become a larger part of our lives on a daily basis, it is our last ditch effort to encourage students to become truly “social” and get out in your community to give back. Here are some ideas we came up with to get you started…

Love to read? Want to become a teacher? History guru?

1. School Supply/Book Drive: As school quickly approaches, help those that might not be able to purchase new school supplies or schools needing some extra supplies. Host a school supply drive and distribute your donations to an elementary school in your city in need.

2. Library: Volunteer at your local library putting away books or reading to kids in the children area. Spend your time helping and completing that summer reading list. Contact your local library today to see what ideas they have to put your service to use. (more…)

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Green Economy: Does it include you?

Today is World Environment Day, established in 1973 by the United Nations Environment Programme. This year’s theme is “Green Economy: Does it include you?”

As the Nevada governor’s Commission on Service, we can say loud and clear that “yes, it does include us.” As as matter of fact, it includes three out of six of the AmeriCorps*State programs in Nevada that have an environmental component to their programs.

Only halfway through the current grant year, AmeriCorps members have impacted Nevada’s green economy in the following ways:

Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation

  • cleaning, improving, and/or creating 9.62 miles of trail or rivers
  • collecting and recycling 206.08 tons of materials

Great Basin Institute

  • restoring and improving 1131.88 acres of public land and waterways
  • building and maintaining 51.71 miles of trails
  • educating 475 youth on environmental issues

Nevada Outdoor School

  • giving 361 lessons on environmental stewardship to 6646 students

After completing their term of service, each AmeriCorps member receive an educational award to use in a higher education capacity, like pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. While in service, members receive a monthly stipend on average $1,000 per month, a small subsidy compared to the amount of impact they have on their communities. (more…)

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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…)

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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…)

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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 25th 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…)

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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…)

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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 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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