join service networkBreadcrumb
AmeriCorps News & Announcements
Are you a registered member? Do you know of AmeriCorps news and events in Virginia that are not listed? Log in and submit it here.
Page 1 of 6 pages 1 2 3 > Last »
MLK Day of Service Events in Virginia
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is January 19. Faith-based and community organizations are planning service projects and events to honor the holiday across the Commonwealth. The holiday has been mandated by the federal government as not just a day off from work set aside to honor Dr. King, but a national day of volunteer service. In Virginia, service projects and special events are planned in virtually every part of the state and include efforts concerning education, the environment, children's issues, mentoring, financial advice and more.
Virginia MLK Day Resources
- View a complete list of service projects planned for MLK Day in Virginia.
- Locate a service project in your community using our Virginia Service Map.
Additional Resources
- Visit the official MLK Day Web site for updated event listings, videos, tools and tips, and more.
- Spread the word with Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.
- Register your event on the 2009 Inaugural Event Web site.
- Tony Dungy. Jordin Sparks. Michael W. Smith. See who else is on the list of MLK Day Ambassadors of Service.
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Published on Monday, December 8, 2008
2009 Governor’s Volunteerism Awards Nominations Being Accepted
Each year the Commonwealth recognizes a group of individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to serving their communities. The 2009 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards will be presented in several categories, including youth, senior, faith-based organization, non-profit organization, emergency preparedness and disaster recovery, business, individual volunteer, and national service. Winners will be honored during an awards ceremony in Richmond this April. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 2. Find out more and get nomination details.
- Published on Wednesday, November 12, 2008
New Report Shows Student Service on the Rise
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has released a report showing that community service in America's schools has reached a new peak, with 68 percent of all K-12 schools offering or recognizing service opportunities for their students. "Community Service and Service-Learning in America's Schools 2008" found that while school-based community-service has remained robust, the percentage of schools with service-learning declined from 32 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in 2008.
The report provides an in-depth look at the prevalence of community service and service-learning in public schools and provides insight into recent trends. It is the result of a survey of a national sample of more than 2,000 K-12 public school principals across America conducted by CNCS in partnership with the independent research firm Westat. Read more.
- Published on Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Looking for Resources? Check the Map.
A comprehensive Service Map of the Commonwealth has been launched which details national service organizations and volunteer centers around the state. With a click of the mouse, organizations and individuals now have the ability to find resources in their area, including contact information and directions. Virginia organizations can also utilize a new Resource Library on vaservice.org which features a wide variety of publications including statistical reports and data, nonprofit management manuals, useful tools for faith-based and community organizations, and more. Check out these great new tools today.
- Published on Monday, November 17, 2008
AmeriCorps Members Kick Off a New Program Year
An energized group of AmeriCorps members gathered to pledge their commitment to a year of service at launch events at John Tyler Community College in Chester, Oct. 16, and Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Nov. 1. The ceremonies are held each fall to introduce new AmeriCorps members embarking on a year of service to the Commonwealth. Richmond-native Anthony Simpson was named the winner of the second annual Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service at the Chester event. Established in memory of Robert Wone, a member of the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service from 2002-2006, the award recognizes an AmeriCorps member who has exhibited exemplary civic engagement and community service. Simpson is a returning member to the VCU AmeriCorps - America Reads program and is being honored for improving the lives of others with disabilities through community education and awareness initiatives. Despite being bound to a motorized scooter, Simpson continually provided enthusiasm and energy into teaching and tutoring his students at Woodville Elementary School. Award nominees Jordan Begley of Big Stone Gap and Leah Raffeinner of Hillsville were recognized at the Big Stone Gap event. View photos from this year's launch events.
- Published on Monday, November 3, 2008
Free Online Course Available for Youth Mentoring Programs
A new online course, "Youth Impact: Starting and Strengthening Quality Programs," is designed to help organizations find, prepare, and retain members and volunteers involved with youth. The course will be helpful for anyone working with youth in tutoring, mentoring, out-of-school time, and other youth-development capacities. While many examples and resources are specific to programs funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the course will be helpful for many types of youth-serving agencies. Set up a free account and access the course at the CNCS Online Learning Center.
- Published on Monday, October 27, 2008
TIME Publishes Its Second Annual National Service Issue
TIME Magazine has released its second issue dedicated to the cause of national service. The article addresses both Presidential candidates' views on service and details "21 Ways To Serve America." The list of initiatives features ideas from service advocates including Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Orrin Hatch who introduced the Serve America Act; John J. Dilulio, Jr., and John Bridgeland who have worked with White House Faith-based and Community Initiatives; and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who recently created a cabinet position for service and volunteering. Read the article.
- Published on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Presidental Candidates Address Civic Engagement
Both leading presidential candidates addressed the ServiceNation Summit last week to present their views on national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement, Sept 11 at Columbia University in New York. The interviews of John McCain and Barack Obama were moderated by PBS' Judy Woodruff and Time managing editor Rick Stengel. The discussion was aired on CNN, MSNBC and other news outlets nationally. ServiceNation is a coalition of 110 organizations dedicated to solving problems through civic engagement and service. Read a complete transcript of this event.
- Published on Friday, September 19, 2008
Governor Appoints Advisory Board on National and Community Service
Governor Kaine has announced the latest appointments to the Advisory Board on National and Community Service. Governor Kaine established the Board in 2006 and its members work to advance Virginia's volunteerism and community service goals. Read the official announcement.
2008-09 Governor's Advisory Board on National and Community Service
- Nana Akyeampong-Ghartey (Charlottesville)*
- Mary E. Dean (Chesapeake)
- Charles Firestone (Virginia Beach)
- Tonyia Carter Gibson (Carroll County)
- Julie Grimes (Richmond)
- Holly Hatcher (Charlottesville)*
- Lucy Hutchinson (Fairfax County)*
- Perry D. Martin (Newport)
- W. Kevin Massengill (Sutherland)
- Rumy Mohta (Midlothian)
- Hung Nguyen (Fairfax County)
- Gabriel G. Rojas (Arlington County)
- Erick M. Sanchez (Fairfax County)*
- Pastor Herbert Scott (Russell County)
- Bobby T. Shockley (Henrico County)
- C. B. Sinclair (Hopewell)
- Jarris Taylor Jr. (Yorktown)
- Sarah L. Walsh (Fredericksburg)*
- Lisë Chandler White (Virginia Beach)
*Denotes new appointment.
- Published on Monday, September 15, 2008
Virginia AmeriCorps Training Survey
The annual Virginia AmeriCorps Program Director's and Staff Training Assessment Survey for the 2009 program year is available. This survey enables the Office on Volunteerism and Community Service to tailor training sessions to your needs. The deadline for submission is September 12. Take the survey now.
- Published on Tuesday, September 2, 2008