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Volunteers Needed for AARP’s Operation Energy Save
Virginia AARP is launching a new volunteer program this fall to help those in need. With energy costs rising this winter, many older Virginians and those on fixed incomes will be at risk. One way to help is to provide assistance in reducing the amount of energy that is consumed. AARP is working to mobilize an army of volunteers to communicate to their friends and neighbors about the many low or no cost modifications they can make to their homes that can result in significant savings during the heating season. Every dollar saved can make the difference between buying food and medicine or staying warm.
The Plan:
- Virginia organizations are invited to take part in this effort -- nonprofits, government agencies, faith-based organizations, service clubs, and volunteer networks -- using their resources to jump into action.
- AARP will provide simple tools that volunteers can use to do a home assessment and make these tools easily accessible online so that organizations and volunteers have everything they need to get the job done.
- Volunteers can be engaged either as individuals who are self-directed or through their associations that have strong roots in local communities.
- Feedback mechanisms will be in place to capture data to measure impact, record stories of how volunteer engagement made a real difference to real people, and provide a means to recognize the thousands of people who volunteered their time.
Visit the AARP Virginia Web site for complete details on how individuals and organizations can help. Checklists, tip sheets, and other information to spread the word is available.
- Published on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Connect Network and Richmond Magazine Announce Partnership
Beginning in December, Richmond Magazine will publish a selection of highlights from the organizational profiles on the Connect Network. These highlights will showcase the information organizations post about items, services, needs and wants. The new section will also encourage readers to visit local Connect sites to see all organizations' listings. The Connect Network is encouraging organizations to update their profiles.
- Published on Tuesday, November 18, 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
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
Volunteerism a Top Priority for Boomers
A new report reveals that almost half of Americans ages 44-79 have increased or desire to increase the amount of time they spend volunteering in the community. The study looked at their preferences for volunteer opportunities, as well as the barriers keeping them from volunteering more often. Data was collected from a series of focus groups commissioned by AARP through Civic Enterprises. Read the report.
- Published on Tuesday, November 11, 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
Virginia Students Outperform National Average in SAT Scores
Virginia surpassed the national average on the reading and writing SAT taken by high school students last year. The Virginia Class of 2008, including both public and private high school students, earned an average score of 511 for reading, 499 for writing and 512 for math. Although the Commonwealth boasted an improvement on testing scores, the number of high school students taking the test declined by 1,200 students. Virginia was 10th in the nation for public school participation in the SAT, with 59,573 public and private high school graduates taking the tests. About 51,000 of them attended public schools. Find out more.
- Published on Thursday, October 30, 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
Poverty Numbers Increase in Virginia
The Census Bureau has just released new data revealing an increase in Virginia's poverty levels and growth in the number of uninsured in the state. While the national poverty rate fell slightly in 2007, Virginia saw an increase in the share of its population that lives below the federal poverty threshold -- from 9.6 percent to 9.9 percent. While the number of uninsured also fell, the number of Virginians who are uninsured continued to climb. The number of uninsured in the state topped one million for the second year in a row.
2007 Median Household Income/Poverty*
Virginia's Metropolitan Statistical Areas
- Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, $39,462/20.8%
- Charlottesville, $53,398/13.3%
- Danville, $33,239/16.1%
- Harrisonburg, $44,172/15.5%
- Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, $36,458/15.9%
- Lynchburg, $42,086/14.7%
- Richmond, $56,739/10.4%
- Roanoke, $46,896/10.5%
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, $54,824/10.4%
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, $83,200/6.8%
- Winchester, $55,860/9.9%
*US Census Bureau
See the full results of the census.
- Published on Thursday, October 23, 2008
Problems in Rural America are Diverse
Researchers at the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire have completed the first stages of the Community and Environment in Rural America (CERA) survey. Nearly 8,000 residents in 19 carefully selected rural counties were interviewed to determine their opinions, experiences, and attitudes about the changes occurring in their lives, the lives of their families, and in their communities. The report examines rural life using socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic indicators as guides, rather than outdated notions of what "rural" is. According to "Place Matters: Challenges and Opportunities in Four Rural Americas," rural America is no longer predominantly farmland and consists of at least four distinct regions facing different problems. The report found that while areas like the Appalachian region are amenity-rich and draw tourists and retirees but face challenges such as affordable housing and urban sprawl; areas like the Great Plains must contend with the loss of industry due to globalization, depleted resources, and a shrinking population. In its most recent farm bill, Congress set aside $4 million a year for a new rural development program, but only four percent of rural residents make their living farming. The report contends that federal policies can no longer be dominated by agriculture if the problems of rural America are to be addressed. Read the report.
- Published on Monday, October 20, 2008