Archive for the ‘Service’ Category

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Simple Acts Make a World of Difference

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

April is a day to get involved in raising awareness. Why? Today is TOMS Shoes’ One Day Without Shoes. One Day Without Shoes is a time dedicated to raising awareness about world health issues that arise when one does not have access to a pair of shoes. Many children around the world go without due to economic factors. Children who do not have shoes to wear daily are more prone to diseases such as Hookworm and they are more prone to infection form injuries.

One Day Without Shoes is a great example of “slacktivism.” What is “slacktivisim?” Slacktivism is a way to give back to the community without directly doing acts of service. It is a way to not only make a difference for a beloved cause, but it is also a way to make someone feel good about him or herself due to a simple act of good.

Interested? Below is a list of other forms of slacktivism that you can participate in year round!

  • Use your money for good: Choose brands that support causes or sustainable practices. TOMS is a great example, whether you are buying their shoes or eyewear your purchase will go to a good cause. Other examples of brands that are making a difference are Warby Parker and Patagonia.
  • Tweet, tweet: Use Hashtags to support your favorite causes. Many organizations and brands will designate certain hashtags to be used for their campaigns. You can not only show your support, but also network with people who share your passion.
  • Clicking for good: Show your support by liking your favorite brands and organizations on Facebook or other social media channels. It will help you stay up to date on the latest news and happenings occurring at the organization.
  • Donations: Many organizations or brands will donate proceeds to a cause through clicks. If your organization is doing this make sure you click to help out!
  • Donate your status: Donate your Facebook status or profile picture to a cause. It will help your friends and followers understand your passions and will help get the organization’s mission and message out!
  • Wear a ribbon: Do you support a cause that is represented by a certain color? Wear a ribbon showing your support. When others ask you about it you can tell them to help show support for the cause.
  • Watch a documentary: Interested in a cause, but you do not know much about it? Check out a documentary that informs. Invite your friends or family to watch it with you to get the discussion going!

We hope these ideas get you out there to show your support for your favorite causes and organizations! Whatever you are interested in, find a way to get the word out around your community.

How are you showing support for your favorite cause? Share with us in the comment section below, we would love to hear about it!

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Volunteers, You’re Awesome Take a Bow

Monday, April 9th, 2012

We absolutely love volunteers! Not just because we are a nonprofit organization focused on volunteer listings and opportunities, but also because they are just plain awesome! Why?

Volunteers dedicate themselves to a cause or an issue in the community because they care and want to give back. They do not act for monetary rewards or even recognition. They volunteer their in many different ways from book drives to park clean up just to give back to their neighbors.

April is National Volunteer Month, so let’s celebrate the hard work volunteers are doing around the world by recognizing their efforts!

  • In 2012, 62.7 million people volunteered in America.
  • Thanks to those 62.7 million volunteers, 8.1 billion hours of service were logged for the United States. Imagine what the nation would look like without those 8.1 billion hours!
  • 26.5% of United States residents reported that they volunteered in some form over the past year in 2010. Those 26.5 percenters individually contributed 34.1 service hours in their communities.
  • The Independent Sector reports that those 8.1 billion hours of service were worth $178 billion in 2010. Each volunteer is worth $21.67 per hour, but they do the work for their love of the community, rather than salary.
  • 23.5% of volunteers are actively involved in food collection and distribution. How many residents would go hungry without these volunteers?
  • 26.7% of volunteers for education. How would our children succeed in school without the help of education volunteers?
  • 11.6 million Millennials volunteered 1.2 billion hours of community service to their community in the categories of fundraising, labor, mentoring, and food distribution. Do you still believe that young people cannot make a difference?
  • 9.2 million older Americans (65 years and older) donated 1.7 billion hours of hours to their communities. Older adults are able to find new meaning to their lives after retirement thanks to volunteer work.
  • Volunteers with HandsOn Network affiliates impacted the service economy by $546,638,278!

Are you still skeptical about the value of volunteer work? We hope not. Recognize the work being done in your community via volunteers. National Volunteer Week is just around the corner, April 15-21. Do something special for your volunteers! Whether you want to alert the media about your volunteer events and impact or you want to write personal thank you notes for your volunteers, make this a week of recognition for the unbelievable service work happening every day!

 

The statistics used in this report can be found in the 2010 Volunteering in America report conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

This infographic can be found via the Corporation for National and Community Service.

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9 Steps to Bloom Your Community

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Today at HandsOn Network, in Atlanta, we are volunteering, as a staff, at a local community garden! Taking part in a community garden is not only a great way to help the environment, but it is also a great way to form neighboring relationships.

You can fill your community garden with anything from vegetables to flowers, whatever your community members decide, will work! The most important thing is that you make sure to organize your gardeners and that the garden is taken care of by its members.

We encourage your to get out and embrace this beautiful spring weather, by starting your community garden. Not sure where to begin? Here are ten tips that will get your neighborhood growing today!

  1. Organize your interests: Determine whether or not your neighborhood actually wants a garden. If it does, determine what your neighbors would like to have planted in that garden. Find out who would like to be involved, and what would be needed to get the garden started.
  2. Forms a garden party: Gather a list of interested community members who would like to play a role in the garden activities. These members will be vital in funding the garden, keeping up with its maintenance, and planning events.
  3. Survey time: Research what resources your neighbors already have for the garden i.e. tools, plants, soil, etc. Make a plan for donation asks and sponsorships for needed materials.
  4. Location, location, location: Determine the best location for your garden. Whether you keep it within the neighborhood or at a community headquarters, determine which location would be best for all interested parties.
  5. Clean up time: Prepare your chosen land before you get your neighbors in. Whether you need to recruit volunteers for help or you can do it yourself, make sure your chosen spot is suitable for growing vegetation before the big planting day starts.
  6. Organize the space: After you have determined what you would like to plant in the garden, you must organize the plots according to growing needs. Some plants cannot grow in certain areas, soils, or lighting. It is important to know your plants needs before you stick them in the ground.
  7. Let the youth be involved: Make a space for a children’s garden in your community garden so that the youth in your community can be involved, as well. It will allow them to learn about forming neighboring relationships, while also volunteering for the environment.
  8. Organize duties: Make sure your members are clear on their assigned task, so that your garden can be maintained. It is important to design a system or contract that is agreed upon by the members, so that you can keep up with the condition of your garden.
  9. Keep in touch: Organize a system that will keep garden members in touch with each other. Whether you want to exchange phone numbers or email addresses, it is important that all members can get in touch with each other in case anything comes up. It will also help maintain that sense of community between all those involved!

Starting a community garden is a great way to volunteer this spring. You will be giving back to your community, while establishing relationships with your neighbors.

So, get out and get your grow on this season!

Have you started a community garden; let us know your tips in the comment section below!

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Spring Has Sprung, It’s Time to Volunteer!

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

The birds are chirping, bees are buzzing, flowers are blooming, and the pollen is everywhere. Today is the first day of spring! Goodbye cold weather and hello sunny days. Spring is a great time to have a new beginning by getting out and volunteering in your community.

Do you want to volunteer in your community this spring, but you are lost when it comes to finding things to do? No need to be confused any longer with this list of spring themed volunteering ideas!

  1. Make the flowers bloom: Clean up your community park for the spring. Plant flowers, repair playgrounds, or pick up trash. Whatever you can do to beautify your park to make it more enjoyable will make a difference!
  2. Walk a dog: Volunteer to be a dog walker or check out your local shelter to see if they need dog walkers. You can enjoy the beautiful weather, while hanging out with a furry friend.
  3. Get your feet wet: Join generationOn for their project of the month “Get your feet wet.” Track your water footprint for World Water Day to see how you can better conserve.
  4. Got lemonade? Set up a lemonade stand for good in your community. Pick a nonprofit or cause that you feel passionate about and raise money for them by selling lemonade to your neighbors!
  5. Build a house: Love being outside? Join a Habitat for Humanity build for the spring!
  6. Grow your own: Want to get more involved with your community members? Plant a community garden and buy local. Your neighbors can contribute all of their favorite plants to the garden. What a great way to live sustainably!
  7. Plant a tree: Arbor Day is just around the corner reduce your carbon footprint and plant a tree. Check out the Arbor Day Foundation to get started!
  8. Paint your school: Who doesn’t love a little color? Donate your artistic abilities to your local school and paint a mural.
  9. Spring break for good: Is your school’s spring break coming up? Choose an alternative spring break this year and make a difference. Check your school website for options. United Way also has many options for alternative spring breaks.
  10. Explore the zoo: Volunteer to be a mentor to a child and bring them to the zoo.
  11. Spring cleaning: Do you have a lot stuff lying around that you have no idea what to do with. Clean out your house and donate your goods.
  12. Egg hunt: Volunteer to host a egg hunt for the kids in your community.

Spring is a great time to volunteer because not only is the weather awesome, but you have so many volunteer options! Start your new beginning this season with these volunteer ideas or one of your own.

 

Are you volunteering or do you have another idea to add to the list? We would love to hear it, share your comments below.

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Kevin’s Story: Music is his Motivation

Monday, March 19th, 2012

Today’s blog post comes from MusicianCorps, a nonprofit organization sector of The Center for Music National Service. MusicianCorps trains and places musicians to serve full-time as teachers and mentors in low-performing public schools, youth centers, and other high-need community settings. MusicianCorps uses music to reengage youth in their academic and civic lives, and provide them skills to succeed in the 21st century economy.

“I play guitar in Mr. H’s class. He teaches me a lot of things about music—how to listen to it, how to make the music sound good—he’s helped me out a lot. Mr. H corrects us if we’re doing something wrong or if we’re off track. He’s an awesome teacher. Music is like my safe haven – if I’m mad or feeling bad about anything, I just go straight to my guitar and start playing. It makes me feel better.”

— Kevin, MusicianCorps student

As a freshman at June Jordan School for Equity in San Francisco’s Excelsior District, Kevin was having trouble fitting into his new surroundings. Kevin struggled with core academic subjects and was becoming discouraged by his poor grades.But no matter how frustrated Kevin would get with his math or English, he loved to play guitar. Realizing this, the school guidance counselor placed him in class twice a week with MusicianCorps Mentor Hernando Buitrago, or as Kevin liked to call him, “Mr. H.” MusicianCorps quickly became a big part of Kevin’s in-school and afterschool experience – he even became a regular fixture during lunch period drop-in jam sessions.

For weeks, Kevin and other students were preparing a performance for an upcoming school assembly. However, due to his poor grades in other classes, Kevin was not allowed to perform with the group. While he was disappointed, Kevin knew he would have to work harder so that he would never miss another opportunity to perform. Mr. H worked with him throughout the week to make sure he was getting his work done and keeping the right priorities.

In time, Kevin’s grades began to improve. Recognizing his commitment, Mr. H invited Kevin and other students to perform for Veteran’s Day at the Palo Alto VA center. Kevin seized the opportunity. On a day off from school when most of his classmates were still sleeping, Kevin was awake at 7:30am with his guitar in hand ready to be picked up for the performance. “It was cool to play for the Veterans,” Kevin said. “They seemed to enjoy it and some of them came up and played with us.”

With music as his motivation, Kevin continued to work hard and improve his grades. “MusicianCorps is the reason I want to keep coming back to school,” Kevin said. “I need music. It makes me feel a lot better about myself. It makes me feel like I have something to do.”

For Kevin, music provides motivation to succeed in school.

March is Music in Our Schools Month. Check out MusicianCorps and find out how you can promote the importance of music in our children’s schools today!

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Lessons from AmeriCorps

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Today’s post comes from Carrisa Pawell, Interactive Strategy AmeriCorps Member with Points of Light. She is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member.

I started my year of service with AmeriCorps with not much of an idea what AmeriCorps did. I had heard them called the “domestic PeaceCorps”, and that is the description I still use with my friends and family! However, I may yet adopt the AmeriCorps week slogan, AmeriCorps Works! as it encompasses the breadth of the wide variety of service AmeriCorps members provide.

Approximately halfway through my term of service at Points of Light, my definition of volunteerism has expanded in ways I never expected. As a support member on the Interactive Strategy team, I volunteer mainly through the computer! In my past service experiences, I have volunteered in retirement communities, libraries, children’s day camps, and food kitchens. Although I use it for the majority of my entertainment and education, I never dreamed that the Internet would be the next frontier for service.

I’d like to share with you a few things I’ve learned over my term so far.

Volunteer online! You don’t have to be a Twitter expert to volunteer online. Did you know that you can play online games for free that donate to charities on your behalf? One example is Charitii – a charity-donating crossword Web site that raises money to provide clean water, food for the malnourished, and protection of the rainforest worldwide.

Be open to opportunities outside of your expectations Why limit yourself? My AmeriCorps term of service has taken me in so many directions I couldn’t have predicted a year ago, including a big move from California to Georgia! Service can take you in a variety of directions. I know the option of voluntourism is next on my list! Consider combining your travel and service experiences with a voluntourism vacation.

Microvolunteer Not all acts of service have to be year long commitments! Sparked provides a place where nonprofits can post small, digitally-based volunteer opportunities that can be done in a small amount of time. These opportunities aren’t just computer-based; many of the opportunities can be done on a smart phone, so time spent waiting in line at the grocery store can turn into time helping to improve a user’s experience with a nonprofit’s website.

Embrace your “Aha!” Moments As my AmeriCorps predecessor, Ken Tran, wrote in his Turning Point post for Points of Light, AmeriCorps members experience many “aha!” moments during our service years. Those situations are when the imaginary light bulb finally lights up and we realize that what we’re doing has purpose and direction. That our actions are positively impacting those around us and that the effects of our service will be felt long after we have left. During “AmeriCorps Works” week, I invite you to think back and remember your own “aha!” moment. What is your purpose and direction in the service field? How do you feed the need to impact others in a positive way? Take some time to refocus on that moment and the resulting actions; it can only increase your commitment to service!

Are you an AmeriCorps alum? If so, how will you be celebrating this week?  Be sure to register as an AmeriCorps Alum and register or join an AmeriCorps Week event.

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Go Out and Show How AmeriCorps Works

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

So it is AmeriCorps Week, what can you do to celebrate? AmeriCorps Week runs from March 10 to March 18, and it is being celebrated across the nation! It is a week dedicated to recognizing the commitment to service made by each member and the hard work they do everyday in their communities.

The theme of this year’s AmeriCorps Week is “AmeriCorps Works. ” What does this theme mean exactly? AmeriCorps “works and gets things done” in the community and around the nation. It is a program that not only benefits the organizations that host members, but also the members themselves. Benefits for members include: professional development, money for higher education, self-fulfillment, friendships, and so much more. AmeriCorps benefits the community and various organizations because they gain creativity, a dedicated work force, new ideas, etc.

So how can you show AmeriCorps works this week? Try out these tips this week and show others you are proud to be a part of AmeriCorps!

  1. Smize! Take part in the AmeriCorps Works Here photo campaign. Take a picture at your current place of employment to show the diversity in career paths and leadership rules pursued after AmeriCorps. You can share these pictures through AmeriCorps Alums social media with the hashtag #AmeriCorpsWorksHere.
  2. Find an AmeriCorps themed event: Participate in activities ranging from mentoring future members to service projects in your community. Check out AmeriCorps Alums to find an event near you.
  3. Host an AmeriCorps party: Invite friends over to tell them about AmeriCorps and what it is like to serve or go to dinner with your AmeriCorps friends and supervisors.
  4. Tell your supervisors thank you: Let your supervisor know that you appreciate them.
  5. Share your service story or promote AmeriCorps through social media: Use hastags #AmeriCorpsWorksHere, #ACWeek, or #AmeriCorps
  6. Keep up with the latest develop
    ments in AmeriCorps
  7. Wear your AmeriCorps gear to work
  8. Take part in the AmeriCorps Online Townhall: “Inspirational Paths of Service and Leadership” will take place Tuesday, March 13 from 3 to 4:30 PM ET. Participate in this webinar to hear from 5 different alums who have benefited from their time as an AmeriCorps member, and now as an Alum.

No matter what you do to celebrate your term of service this week, take pride in the hard work that you have dedicated yourself to. When the going gets tough just remember AmeriCorps Works!

We hope that you have a wonderful AmeriCorps Week!

Are you celebrating this week, how are you showing that AmeriCorps works?

 

Check out this from to get some “Smizing” inspiration!

 

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It’s AmeriCorps Week, but what is AmeriCorps?

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Hooray, hooray! Happy AmeriCorps Week everyone! Let’s kick off the week by explaining what exactly AmeriCorps is, in case you still do not know.

AmeriCorps is a United States federal government organization set up under former President Bill Clinton, and it was later expanded under President George W. Bush. AmeriCorps is a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service whose focus ranges from service in education to the environment. Each year AmeriCorps offers more than 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities in a variety of ways.

Why is AmeriCorps the coolest?

Your term of service through AmeriCorps will have multiple benefits. By serving in an AmeriCorps program, members become eligible to for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This award can be used toward the payment of student loans or graduate school tuition. Many programs offer an allowance that will cover the basic costs of living.

A term of service will also be beneficial when searching for professional work. Those who make a commitment to service have better networking options, and become more competitive in the job force, than those who do not. Members also have the opportunity to develop skills that they may not have had the chance to use otherwise.

What options do you have?

AmeriCorps is split into three different programs that have different focuses.

  • AmeriCorps State and National: Refers to a broad range of service areas in your local community. The main focus is intensive service in community programs. Members have the opportunity to serve in a variety of agencies including faith-based, community organizations, higher education, and public agencies. Their goals are to raise awareness in the fields of education, environment, public safety, and health. They engage in direct service such as after-school tutoring, volunteer recruitment, and capacity building.

Does AmeriCorps State and National Work?

  • AmeriCorps VISTA: VISTA was originally created under Lyndon Johnson as a way to fight poverty. Former president Bill Clinton brought it under the AmeriCorps program during his presidency. There are currently over 5,000 VISTAs serving throughout the country in various organizations. They work to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and strengthen community groups.

Does AmeriCorps VISTA Work?

  • AmeriCorps NCCC: NCCC is a full-time program for adults ranging from the ages of 18 to 24. NCCC stands for National Civilian Community Corps. Their goal is to strengthen communities, while building leaders out of team service. NCCC members focus on aiding national crises.

Does AmeriCorps NCCC Work?

AmeriCorps Week is March 10-18, it is the perfect time to recognize and celebrate the dedication to service that AmeriCorps members make every year. There are many great ways to get involved in celebrating AmeriCorps and service this week! The theme for this week is AmeriCorps Works. Although, these are just a few examples of how it works, you can see that AmeriCorps truly accomplishes its goals and provides a great deal of service to our communities.

Now that you know more about AmeriCorps, how will you show that it works?

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Volunteer for International Women’s Day

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Happy International Women’s Day! Today countries around the world celebrate the contributions of women to the strength of history and their nations. American women have played a unique role throughout the history of the country by providing the majority of the volunteer labor force. They were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions.

Juliette Gordon Low Low started the first Girl Scout troop in 1912. Low brought girls of all backgrounds into the out-of-doors, giving them the opportunity to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She encouraged girls to prepare not only for traditional homemaking, but also for possible future roles as professional women—in the arts, sciences and business—and for active citizenship outside the home. Girl Scouting welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were excluded from many other activities.

Lillian Wald Often called the “mother of public health nursing”, Wald the Visiting Nurse Service of New York in 1893 on New York’s Lower East Side, when it was the world’s most densely populated slum. Wald blazed a trail for a multicultural workforce, and pioneered American social work to establish the Henry Street Settlement House, which was nonsectarian and would charge fees only to those who could pay.

Despite the contributions of these women, and countless others, women still face hardships in our country and across the world. This International Women’s Day, take some time to do good for women.

Volunteer at a women’s shelter Women’s shelters are often under-served and underfunded, while domestic abuse is the leading cause of injury among women 15 to 44 years old in the United States. One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the United States, and 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Consider spending some of your volunteer time at a women’s shelter.

Invest in women with microfinancing Consider making your next donation a loan, through a microfinancing organization, like Kiva or WAM (Women Advancing Microfinancing). Women are a significant untapped resource for creating opportunity that can change lives. And yet millions across the world struggle to access the resources they need and deserve to jumpstart change.

Organize a feminine hygiene product drive Domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters often face  a shortage of feminine hygiene products. The lack of these products prevents women from attending work and school. Find out which organization in your community could most benefit from your donation and start a collection. To take this project world wide, check out Pads4Girls, which provides reusable pads for girls in developing nations so they can continue to attend school.

Find an International Women’s Day event near you! What will you be doing to celebrate women today? Let us know in the comments below!

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It’s Time to Feed the Hungry in March

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

In 2010, it was reported that a record 17.2 million American households were food insecure. This was the highest number ever reported in United States history. Although the American economy is slowly starting to pick up, food insecurity is still a major concern in the daily lives of Americans.

The media is constantly reporting about the problems of childhood obesity, food insecurity, and malnutrition. With all these negative topics, it is easy to feel overwhelmed to the point that it feels like there is nothing that can be done.

March is the perfect month to become proactive about this issue. Why? March is National Nutrition Month!

  1. The obvious, but always helpful: Volunteer at your community food bank or soup kitchen. These organizations are always appreciative of some extra hands.
  2. Volunteer with organizations focused on hunger: Nonprofits such as Feeding America, FoodCorps, Meals on Wheels, and many others are great sources to not only find volunteering opportunities, but also to get facts on hunger and who it affects.
  3. Hold a canned food drive: Food banks always need donations, especially after the holidays when their shelves run low. There are many ways that you can spice up your canned food drive. It is a great way to get your whole community involved to tackle hunger.
  4. Tackle hunger as a team: Organizations such as generationOn have excellent resources to tackle hunger with your family, neighbors, or friends. Make fighting hunger fun by turning it into a competitive game.
  5. Educate your community about nutrition: Obesity is a serious issue, especially in communities where food diversity is scarce. Talk to your local school about teaching students about the benefits of good food choices. Suggest healthier lunch options, if they are not already available.
  6. Join the local food movement: Encourage your friends and family to buy local. Your body will be thankful that you are feeding it well! Your local farmers will be happy that you are supporting them too.
  7. Got leftovers? If you have a decent amount of leftovers after dinner, give them to someone who truly needs them, instead of taking them home to the dog.
  8. Raise money for organizations that feed the community: Hold a fundraiser at your child’s school, your church, workplace, or neighborhood. You can donate the proceeds to your community’s soup kitchen, food bank, or your favorite hunger cause.
  9. Spend a day in the life of the hungry: Volunteer to fast for a day, see what it is like to be hungry.
  10. Lobby to get better food options: Does your local school not provide nutritious lunches to school children? Have you noticed that your community only has fast food options for its residents? Make a change! Educate your community members on the harmful effects of bad nutrition and make a plan to make a change.

 

By incorporating just one of these tips into your volunteering schedule, you can really make a difference in the American hunger statistic!

Are you volunteering to end hunger? We’d love to hear about it in the comment section below!

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