http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog en jpace@crt.state.la.us Copyright 2010 2010-09-10T13:10:02+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/learn-serve-k-12-grants-mid-year-application-released/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/learn-serve-k-12-grants-mid-year-application-released/#When:13:10:02Z The Louisiana Serve Commission in the Office of Lieutenant Governor has released its 2010-11 Mid-Year Learn and Serve America grant application. This grant provides funding for service-learning programs to be implemented in K-12 public schools during the period January 10, 2011 - May 31, 2011. Service-learning is a teaching methodology that connects the academic curriculum with the completion of service projects student participants that fulfill a community need. Funding is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service.Eligible applicants for this grant are K-12 public school teachers, schools, or school districts, and nonprofit organizations that have been in existence for over one year, have experience in working with at-risk youth, and can provide projects for the student participants.  For more information, go to www.crt.state.la.us/laserve/las     General 2010-09-10T13:10:02+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/airboat-volunteers/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/airboat-volunteers/#When:19:48:33Z The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana needs volunteers with airboats.   With the help of over 400 volunteers, CRCL will plant 70,000 marsh plants over 2 weeks.  We will plant over 5,000 plugs of smooth and marshhay cordgrass per day to help stabilize and vegetate the bare marsh platforms that were created by the CWPPRA Goose Point/Point Platte Marsh Creation Project.  This project dredged sediments from Lake Pontchartrain to create over 550 acres of marsh platform. The vegetation will help to stabilize the soils, create wildlife habitat, encourage species diversity and provide a seed source for natural regeneration.  Volunteers with airboats are needed to assist with logistics and help transport volunteers to and from the project site.   September  27th through October 8th,  2010 (except Sunday).  8:00 am until all the plants are planted (approximately 3:00pm)   Please contact Brendan Reilly at gold3brendan@gmail.com or 916-717-9992 for more information or to volunteer. 2010-09-03T19:48:33+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/la-serve-chosen-as-global-youth-service-day-lead-agency/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/la-serve-chosen-as-global-youth-service-day-lead-agency/#When:16:53:30Z The Louisiana Serve Commission was selected as the state’s 2011 Lead Agency for the 23rd Annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), the largest service event in the world, and the only one dedicated to mobilizing and celebrating youth volunteers. As lead agency, LA Serve will organize large scale, local, regional, or state-wide service events. GYSD is April 15-17, 2011.  Watch for details on how you can be involved. Experiences 2010-08-13T16:53:30+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/st.-bernard-project-to-host-50-hour-build-for-katrina-5th-anniversary/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/st.-bernard-project-to-host-50-hour-build-for-katrina-5th-anniversary/#When:20:01:16Z August 29, 2010 marks the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the greater New Orleans area. While Katrina may have come and gone, her effects continue to linger into the present. As the area continues to rebuild the homes and lives of Katrina survivors, yet another disaster has taken place. The Deep Water Horizon oil spill continues to gush into the Gulf Coast, jeopardizing the livelihoods and culture of so many residents. That is why St. Bernard Project has decided to commemorate the 5th anniversary with special events that will reinvigorate its efforts and renew its commitment to its mission as well as the people of New Orleans. One of those events is a 50-Hour Build.  The build will take place from 3 p.m. on Aug. 26 through 5 p.m. on Aug. 28. To volunteer, click here. Experiences 2010-08-04T20:01:16+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/emergency-shelter-volunteer-training-available/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/emergency-shelter-volunteer-training-available/#When:13:57:37Z The Emergency Management Disability and Aging Coalition is hosting a free training for volunteers to help people with disabilities and the elderly in emergency shelters during a disaster. After a disaster you can make a difficult situation a little less stressful. Volunteers will work in shelters in the northern part of the state where citizens would be evacuated.  The volunteer training will be July 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information or to register, contact Jeanne Abadie at 1-800-960-7705, ext. 130 2010-07-08T13:57:37+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/congratulations-baton-rouge-a-model-for-our-state/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/congratulations-baton-rouge-a-model-for-our-state/#When:15:31:35Z Baton Rouge is one of 10 U.S. cities that will receive grants to hire a senior city official who will help develop a program to increase volunteerism. The Rockefeller Foundation and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's foundation, which are funding the grants announced the awards today. A spokeswoman for the Rockefeller Foundation says the grant will allow Baton Rouge to hire a Chief Service Officer, who will determine what areas have the most pressing need for volunteers and serve as a resource for volunteers. The city-parish applied for the grant, saying the most pressing challenges in Baton Rouge were housing rehabilitation and neighborhood revitalization. Baton Rouge is set to receive a $200,000 grant over two years. Other cities selected for the grant include Atlanta, Houston, Pittsburgh and Austin, Texas.   General 2010-07-01T15:31:35+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/first-lady-supriya-jindal-launches-school-supply-drive/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/first-lady-supriya-jindal-launches-school-supply-drive/#When:14:00:31Z As you know, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has greatly affected the lives of many Louisiana citizens. As we face the challenge of cleaning and restoring our marshes and wetlands, with its vibrant fisheries anddelicacies, many of our citizens will need our help and our continued prayers. Adults and wildlife are not the only ones affected by this spill; our children are affected as well. With the start of school in the not too distant future, many families in coastal Louisiana will be faced with the strain of providing the necessary school supplies our children need for success in school. To help our children start off the school year, and to help alleviate the additional burden on families already faced with unprecedented challenges, I am launching a school supply drive. I am hoping that you will aid me by collecting school supplies for children along Louisiana's coast.Please find below a sample school supply list to use when considering joining this effort. All supplies can be sent or dropped off at Louisiana's Governor's Mansion, Attn: Kellie Duhon, 1001 Capitol Access Road, BatonRouge, LA 70802 by August 1, 2010. Feel free to contact Kellie Duhon at 225-773-1415 if you have any questions. Thank you, in advance, for considering joining us in this endeavor. Sincerely,Supriya School Supply List for One Elementary StudentMesh or clear school backpackCrayons - 24 countScissors (Fiskers or other child friendly brand)2 Marble backed composition booksLarge pink pencil eraserGlue sticks- 3 packWashable markers (8 basic colors)Yellow highlighter4x6 ruled index cards- 1 packSelf-stick post-it notes (100 sheets, approx. 3"x3" size)Wide-ruled loose leaf paper, 1 packMulti-colored pack of construction paper(3) Plastic pocket folders with prongsManila file folders, 1 pack#2 pencils, 12 packBaby wipes, 1 packageBox of tissues (kleenex or other brand)Ziploc bags (1 pack gallon and and 1 pack quart size)1 large roll of paper towels1 bottle, hand sanitizer Other items for consideration: sneakers, khaki pants, socks General 2010-06-21T14:00:31+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/baton-rouges-lanier-charter-elementary-selected-for-nbc-school-renovation-s/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/baton-rouges-lanier-charter-elementary-selected-for-nbc-school-renovation-s/#When:20:31:59Z Lanier Charter Elementary School in Baton Rouge will be featured on NBC's School Pride, an Extreme Makover for schools in need of renovation. The program calls upon volunteers in the community to participate in the 10-day construction project. Lanier, a charter school run by Advance Baton Rouge, needs volunteers from July 12 to July 18. Lanier was built in 1958, and its enrollment last year was 274 students. "This is an awesome opportunity, not just for us but for Baton Rouge," says Advance Baton Rouge spokesman Matthew Broussard. "Things like this will affect our school and the community around us." A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held July 17 at 8 a.m. School Pride, which is produced by Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines, will air Fridays at 7 p.m. on WVLA this fall. To volunteer, click here. Experiences 2010-06-14T20:31:59+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/2010-louisiana-hurricane-preparedness-sales-tax-holiday/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/2010-louisiana-hurricane-preparedness-sales-tax-holiday/#When:18:26:41Z The 2010 Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday takes place Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30. Louisianans can get a tax break when buying emergency supplies, including self-powered light sources like flashlights and candles; portable self-powered radios; two-way radios and weather-band radios; tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting. Other state-tax exempt items include gas or diesel tanks, cell phone batteries and chargers, storm shutters and carbon monoxide detectors. The tax holiday exempts the 4% state sales tax on the first $1,500 on the items' cost. Local sales taxes still apply unless local governments specifically exempt them. Hurricane season starts Tuesday. General 2010-05-28T18:26:41+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/service-learning-reflections/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/service-learning-reflections/#When:14:35:35Z This is from an 8th grade student who has participated in an LA Serve-funded service-learning project for three years through Hurst Middle School in St. Charles Parish: The Journey of a Wetland WatcherBy Katie PHarry Hurst 8th Grader You ask me to go backAnd remember what I've learnedOn all the years of Wetland WatchingAnd the new perspective I've learned. You must return to remember my 5th grade year,Already so far away.The first time I experienced these bayousWas on a hot and humid day. The big kids would look down at me,But never did they teaseInstead they smiled and shared their knowledgeOf strange creatures, waters and trees. In the blink of an eye I'm in middle schoolDoing things I never had before.Never did I know how my life would changeWhen I walked through Mr. Guillot's door. Oh, we watched clips and read passagesAnd even petted an animal or two,But I still could not understandWhat was so important about what I now knew. It wasn't until I revisited the groundsThat I understood our purposeOf preserving these swampy landsAnd learning through our service. If you squinted one eye and tilted your head,You could catch a glimpse of the glow.It's more than just muggy days and moss,But what keeps us from letting this go. Difficult to find, but once it's found,The wetlands become something good.Though it's not all, one thing I can say,I now value what I hadn't understood And not only this hidden grace,But also my task to teach.I'm now surrounded by eager kiddiesWith a lesson I must share to each. It takes me back to my 5th grade year,How the time went by so fast. It's humbling to recognizeThat I'm now the "big kid" of my past. So all and all, what have I gainedOn this journey of crawfish and gator?You might say it's nothing but a vanishing landscape,But I have found something much greater. Experiences 2010-05-21T14:35:35+00:00