Fall 2011
National Service Training Roundup
AmeriCorps State Programs Update
Comings & Goings of the ICVS AmeriCorps VISTA Team
In June, August, and September 2011, the ICVS AmeriCorps VISTA Team welcomed eight new members and a leader. These nine members serve at nonprofit and government agencies around the state of Iowa, and are serving one-year terms in the areas of economic opportunity, youth development, and environmental sustainability. Please join us in giving the new members a long overdue welcome to the team!
Erin Meek serves at the Chrysalis Foundation, in Des Moines. Her goals this year are to increase membership in the Women’s Alliance, provide technical assistance to Chrysalis After-School Providers, and increase community partnerships and funding for these programs.
Cassandra Creasy serves at the United Way of Johnson County, in Coralville. She is tasked with increasing the capacity of volunteer programs, developing and implementing an emergency volunteer program, and developing a plan for the Volunteer Program Networking Group.
Stephanie Corbett serves at the Volunteer Center of Story County, in Ames. Her volunteer assignment includes growing community-based youth service-learning in Story County, managing and developing a long term plan for a local community garden, and coordinating group service activities and days of service.
Mary Bridget Corken serves at the City of Dubuque, Leisure Services. Her service goals include researching current volunteer efforts in Dubuque, developing and establishing a sustainable Volunteer Center for the community, and organizing workshops to provide the necessary tools to community partners to ensure a successful Volunteer Center.
Heath Hupke serves at Trees Forever, in Marion. His goal this year is to build infrastructure and support a network of volunteer groups that will serve as local resources for citizens interested in green solutions to economic and social issues.
Sarah Beth Myren serves at the I Have a Dream Foundation, in Des Moines. Her goal is to increase the number of volunteer opportunities within the organization, implement a social media plan for the organization, and identify new funders to invest in volunteer initiatives.
Mary Runkel serves at Youth and Shelter Services, in Boone. Her volunteer assignment includes providing support to design year round activities for mentoring pairs, preparing community resource guides, and helping with the implementation of the Sparks mentoring program.
Jessica Martens serves at the Community Foundation and United Way, Fort Dodge. Jessica is tasked with promoting the new volunteer center through the Fort Dodge nonprofit community, marketing the center in the community for public use, and providing volunteer coordination training to nonprofits.