Fall 2011
National Service Training Roundup
AmeriCorps State Programs Update
Other Commission Updates
Mini Grant Awards and Availability: Inclusion Service Project
Congratulations to the Dubuque Foster Grandparents, VSA Iowa, and Passageway, Inc., recipients of an ICVS Inclusive Service Project Mini Grant for late summer and fall service project activities.
To celebrate the Summer of Service, volunteers from Passageway, Inc. and AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates partnered to assemble and distribute emergency personal care kits to domestic violence shelters in the Des Moines area.
VSA Iowa partnered with AmeriCorps State and Senior Corps programs represented at the 2011 Serve Iowa Mini Conference to complete a service reflection and community art project. The project took place in Coralville and was affiliated with the 9/11 Day of Service.
The Dubuque area National Service programs, lead by the Dubuque Foster Grandparents have partnered with Hills and Dales, Operation New View and Black Hills Energy to complete caring home visits to older adults, adults with disabilities and families with great socio-economic needs, This project occurred on Make a Difference Day (10/22/11).
Funds are available at an amount of less than $1000 to complete an inclusive service project. The next deadline for applications is December 14 to coincide with projects that might occur on MLK Day. Eligible organizations include Iowa based national service programs and nonprofits, government entities, or educational agencies that serve or advocate for people with disabilities.
Projects should meet a community need and must include partners from a national service site in Iowa (AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Learn & Serve) and an agency that serves or advocates for people with disabilities. Project possibilities are endless! It is encouraged, but not required, that projects occur on a recognized Day of Service. Volunteers with disabilities and national service members must be the key stakeholders in these projects. To view the funding application and other support materials, please visit: http://www.volunteeriowa.org/disability_inclusion.aspx.
Coaches Mentoring Challenge
As high school, college, and university coaches from across the state of Iowa progress through the 2011 football season, they are also working to bring home a win for Iowa’s youth. For the first time, 78 local coaches in Iowa have teamed up with University of Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz and Iowa State University Coach Paul Rhoads to participate in a “Coaches Mentoring Challenge” with University of Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini, Kansas State University Coach Bill Snyder and University of Kansas Coach Turner Gill. The friendly challenge will gauge which state can recruit the most new mentors this football season.
In Iowa, it is estimated that more than 5,000 young people are currently in need of a mentor. The “Coaches Mentoring Challenge” strives to lower the “mentoring gap” in Iowa by recruiting more adults to volunteer as mentors. In support of the Coaches’ Challenge, the Iowa Mentoring Partnership (IMP), an initiative of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, has joined forces with Governor Branstad’s Office to distribute statewide “Coaches Challenge” press releases and to encourage state employees to volunteer as mentors. In addition, the IMP will host a mentor recruitment event at a home University of Iowa and Iowa State University football game and will release statewide “Coaches’ Challenge” PSAs and promotional materials.
To date, 1241 Iowans have taken the Coaches’ Challenge by signing up to become a mentor. In comparison, 722 new mentors have been recruited in Nebraska and 2415 new mentors have been recruited in Kansas. By signing up to become a mentor, fans can not only show their state/team pride, but can help improve the life of a child. Any new mentor application that is received between August 1 and November 21, 2011 will count toward the “score” of the respective state. The Iowa/Nebraska winner will be announced during the Iowa vs. Nebraska football game on November 25, 2011 in Lincoln. Likewise, the Iowa/Kansas winner and overall winner will be announced during the Iowa State vs. Kansas State game on November 26, 2011 in Manhattan.
Take the “Coaches Mentoring Challenge” today by visiting www.iowamentoring.org!