http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog en jpace@crt.state.la.us Copyright 2012 2012-05-08T12:58:07+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/cncs-grant-opportunity-for-louisiana/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/cncs-grant-opportunity-for-louisiana/#When:12:58:07Z The Corporation for National and Community Service announces the availability of a Foster Grandparent program grant for Louisiana. Applications are due on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 5 pm CST. The successful applicant will be notified by Friday, June 15, 2012. The Foster Grandparent Program, part of Senior Corps, engages individuals 55 and older, particularly those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to children and youth with special and exceptional needs to help those children and youth learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and otherwise guide children at a critical time in their lives. The purpose of this grant funding is to support one grant for Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) operations within Louisiana. Applications for this Federal grant must cover one or more of the following service areas: Rapides and Grant parishes. For more information on Senior Corps, Foster Grandparent program or how to apply, go to http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/senior-corps-grant-application-2008-2011. 2012-05-08T12:58:07+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/governor-jindal-proclaims-global-youth-service-day-april-21/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/governor-jindal-proclaims-global-youth-service-day-april-21/#When:13:44:42Z Whereas, Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that mobilizes and celebrates the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day through service and service learning; and Whereas, established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world and is now celebrated in over 100 countries; and Whereas, children and youth address the world's most critical issues in partnership with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments through service addressing local needs; and Whereas, thousands of youth in Louisiana participate in Global Youth Service Day to meet community needs through their service, and Whereas, youth participate in Global Youth Service Day to address the needs of their local communities through service, to be recognized for their contributions, and to be a part of a global youth service movement; and Whereas, thousands of youth in Louisiana participate in Global Youth Service Day to meet community needs through their service; and Whereas, through these service activities, youth are placed on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement; and Whereas, it is important for young people in Louisiana to be passionate about the issues affecting their communities and focus on finding solutions and serving as leaders and problem-solvers; and Whereas, Global Youth Service Day is an opportunity to recognize our youth for setting a positive example in their communities and for making an impact on the most critical social needs of our citizens, NOW THEREFORE, I, Bobby Jindal, Governor of the State of Louisiana, do hereby proclaim April 21, 2012, as Global Youth Service DayIn the State of Louisiana.     2012-04-20T13:44:42+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/two-named-as/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/two-named-as/#When:13:03:13Z Volunteer Louisiana congratulates its Comissioner Mike Manning and Teach for America executive Michael Tipton, one of its AmeriCorps grantee, for being named two of the three recipients of the 2012 John W. Barton Sr. Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award. The award is given by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Mike is President & CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Under Mike's leadership since 2004, BRAF says, the nonprofit's capacity to feed people has grown 60 percent. With nearly $12 million raised in a capital campaign, the food bank is retrofitting a warehouse to expand capacity and increase efficiency. Tipton is executive director of Teach for America-South Louisiana. In his five years leading the organization, he has seen local funding for TFA grow from $600,000 to $1.4 million annually, BRAF says. Now in its 11th year, the awards are named as a tribute to Barton, who led a group that created BRAF in 1964. Barton died earlier this month at the age of 95. Volunteer Louisiana is proud of these men who exemplify the best practices in providing needed services to our communities. We thank them for their work. 2012-03-23T13:03:13+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/500-mini-grants-available-for-volunteer-projects/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/500-mini-grants-available-for-volunteer-projects/#When:13:05:05Z Volunteer Louisiana announces the availability of $500 mini-grants for volunteer-led community service projects. These $500 mini-grants will be awarded to Volunteer Leaders who will design a project, recruit a minimum of 10 volunteers and promote the spirit of volunteerism within their community. To qualify, individuals must have completed Volunteer Leadership Training offered by a local volunteer center or Volunteer Louisiana. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and will be considered when submitted.  To learn more about this opportunity or to apply, email Nicholas Auck at nauck@crt.la.gov. 2012-03-16T13:05:05+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/join-us-for-global-youth-service-day-april-20-22/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/join-us-for-global-youth-service-day-april-20-22/#When:19:06:09Z Volunteer Louisiana invites you to be a part of this year's Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) celebration, scheduled for April 20-22, 2012. GYSD is the world's largest day of service event and is celebrated in over 100 countries. Every year, youth 5-25 of all abilities partner with adult volunteers, schools, youth organizations, faith and community based organizations and national service programs to address critical issues and change their communities.  Volunteer Louisiana and its partners are seeking to engage young people of all abilities ages 5-25 in schools, youth organizations, faith-based organizations and social organizations to participate in or conduct a GYSD project. Some ideas for projects include beautification projects, conservation, education, litter pick-up, health and human needs and recycling. But the list is only limited by your imagination! Last April, 1,289 youth and 255 adult volunteers provided 11,089 hours of service to Louisiana communities. Using the Independent Volunteer Sector rate of $21.36 per hour, the economic impact of Global Youth Service Day in Louisiana was valued at $236,861.04. For more information or to register your project, go to www.gysd.org. 2012-02-28T19:06:09+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/citizen-service-before-self-honors-deadline-february-10/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/citizen-service-before-self-honors-deadline-february-10/#When:22:29:59Z Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is urging nominations for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors, which recognizes those ordinary Americans who become extraordinary through their indomitable courage and selflessness. This prestigious award is hosted by The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. Citizen Service Before Self Honors are uniquely meaningful, because they are presented to ordinary citizens who have demonstrated uncommon values through service to others.  These awards are presented by the nation’s most honored heroes—recipients of the Medal of Honor. Citizen Service Before Self Honorees represent the values and courage, sacrifice, and selfless service.    Individuals are encouraged to nominate any United States civilian who has clearly demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for others whether through a single act of extraordinary heroism at risk to one’s life or through a prolonged series of selfless acts. The nominee’s actions must epitomize the concept of “service before self” and must be performed “above and beyond” one’s professional area of responsibility or conduct.   Citizens may submit an eligible nominee by completing the nomination form online via the Citizen Service Before Self Honors website, http://citizenservicebeforeselfhonors.org/. The nomination period ends on Friday, February 10.   A panel, to include Medal of Honor recipient representation, will consider all nominations and select national finalists. Finalists will be announced on Monday, February 27. From among those finalists, a second panel of Medal of Honor recipients will select three individuals to receive Citizen Service Before Self Honors. The recipients will be announced on Monday, March 12, and honored at a ceremony on Friday, March 23, 2012 in conjunction with National Medal of Honor Day. The ceremony will be held near the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, VA.   ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR FOUNDATION The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to perpetuate the Medal of Honor’s legacy of courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, and to promote American values through increased  awareness, education, behavior and example. The Foundation supports the objectives, activities, and outreach programs of the Society, and raises funds for initiatives that promote what the Medal of Honor represents, operation of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society headquarters, and the public service activities of the Society’s exclusive membership. For more information, visit www.cmohfoundation.org     2012-02-03T22:29:59+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/lt.-governor-dardenne-urges-service-today/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/lt.-governor-dardenne-urges-service-today/#When:13:52:22Z Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is urging all Louisiana citizens to make Jan. 16 A Day On, Not a Day Off in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in one of many service projects organized throughout the state. A list of projects can be found on www.VolunteerLouisiana.gov by clicking the Martin Luther King Jr. Day banner. Projects include litter abatement, park beautification, mentoring and school renovations like painting and landscaping.  "Martin Luther King Jr. Day allows us to highlight both the needs and the opportunities for individuals to make a tangible difference in their communities," Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. "And for those not currently volunteering, it's the perfect time to make a commitment to give back." 2012-01-16T13:52:22+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/mlk-day-presidential-proclamation/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/mlk-day-presidential-proclamation/#When:20:31:37Z THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release January 13, 2012 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FEDERAL HOLIDAY, 2012 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On a hot summer day nearly half a century ago, an African American preacher with no official title or rank gave voice to our Nation's deepest aspirations, sharing his dream of an America that ensured the true equality of all our people. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a movement that would push our country toward a more perfect Union. At a time when our Nation was sharply divided, Dr. King called on a generation of Americans to be "voices of reason, sanity, and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred, and emotion." His example stirred men and women of all backgrounds to become foot soldiers for justice, and his leadership gave them the courage to refuse the limitations of the day and fight for the prospect of tomorrow. Because these individuals showed the resilience to stand firm in the face of the fiercest resistance, we are the benefactors of an extraordinary legacy of progress. Today, Dr. King is memorialized on the National Mall where he once spoke, a symbol of how far our Nation has come and a testament to the quiet heroes whose names may never appear in history books, but whose selflessness brought about change few thought possible. Dr. King's memorial reminds us that while the work of realizing his remarkable dream is unending, with persistence, progress is within our reach. On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we celebrate the man who fought for the America he knew was possible. Dr. King's faith in a God who loves all His children and a Nation grounded in the promise of equality would not let him rest until victory was won. As we work to meet the challenges of our time -- from fixing our schools so every child gets a world-class education to ensuring all Americans have access to strong and secure economic opportunity -- let us draw strength from Dr. King's stirring affirmation that "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." In his memory, let us continue climbing toward that Promised Land, one more fair and more just for all people. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2012, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service projects in honor of Dr. King, and to visit http://www.MLKDay.gov to find Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across our country. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. BARACK OBAMA   2012-01-13T20:31:37+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/call-for-volunteers-for-baton-rouge-senior-olympics/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/call-for-volunteers-for-baton-rouge-senior-olympics/#When:22:32:06Z As spring inevitably approaches, the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging is preparing to host its annual Greater Baton Rouge Senior Olympics. Every year, hundreds of individuals 50 or older in the Greater Baton Rouge area participate in these friendly, yet competitive, games which qualify them for to compete in the state-wide Louisiana Senior Olympic Games.  Events include basketball, tennis, track and field, golf, archery, bowling, horseshoes, billiards, table tennis, weightlifting, swimming, ballroom dancing, pickleball and many, many more. Volunteer Louisiana and the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging are seeking individuals of all abilities and backgrounds to volunteer at these games. A wide variety of volunteer opportunities will be available beginning March 3. To volunteer, please visit: http://www.ebrcoa.org/PageDisplay.asp?p1=5309. If you would like to know more about the Senior Olympics, you may visit their website at: http://www.ebrcoa.org/senior-olympics. If you are interested in participating in one of these events, registration forms and schedules are available at the EBRCOA location at 5790 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 or by calling 225-923-8000, ext 239. 2012-01-11T22:32:06+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/looking-back-moving-forward/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/looking-back-moving-forward/#When:20:42:38Z As 2011 winds down, it is gratifying to reflect on this past year and realize the full impact that volunteers continue to make throughout the state. At Volunteer Louisiana, we are grateful for the role that we have in fostering volunteerism and an ethic of service among all citizens. This past year, Volunteer Louisiana leveraged federal and state funds totaling $7 million, which were matched by local communities with $4.9 million, which was invested in programming to engage citizens in service throughout the state. Here's a brief recap of what we've been able to accomplish together this year. AmeriCorpsThe 1,117 AmeriCorps*State members funded through Volunteer Louisiana served 279,625 hours in 14 agencies across 28 parishes and directly impacted 48,744 people through various programs, including tutoring and mentoring students, providing work training to formerly incarcerated adults, providing health education, supporting youth development, and building affordable housing, in addition to continued hurricane recovery projects. AmeriCorps participants also earned $4,460,392 in Education Awards to fund future educational opportunities. Learn and Serve K-12In the 2010-2011 school year, 23 service-learning programs were awarded grants totaling $240,000. These programs were located in 12 parishes, reaching an estimated 2,006 K-12 public school students, who contributed over 46, 505 hours of service at a value of $993,347 to their communities. Through projects linked to classroom curriculum, such as teaching proper oral hygiene, preventive activities to address costal erosion, recycling projects, visiting and partnering with nursing home residents, building projects and tutoring and mentoring peers, students were able to strengthen their academic skills. Volunteer OutreachThe goal of the Volunteer Outreach program is to engage all citizens in service regardless of skill, interest or ability. In 2010, 837,553 Louisiana residents volunteered 121 million hours of service, providing a value of $2.58 billion to the state. For additional information about our past and current programs and special initiatives, check out the 2011 Volunteer Louisiana Annual Report, highlighting the great work that has been happening all over our state to address the critical social needs in our communities. As we move into 2012, we are excited about the potential for engaging even more community members in service to others. We are already hard at work identifying projects for MLK Day on January 16, 2012 and Global Youth Service Day April 20-22, 2012. Check the links under Featured Programs to find projects in your community. We know that most people volunteer because someone asked them, so we are asking you today, Make 2012 the year that you get involved in your community by sharing your time and your talent with something you are most passionate about. Then let us hear from you by sharing those photos of service on our Facebook page, Volunteer Louisiana. We believe seeing other people serving is a great encourager for someone to become involved. And you might just win a coveted All We Need Is U t-shirt. 2011-12-28T20:42:38+00:00