Making a Difference: Nicole Stewart-Llamas

Nicole Stewart-Llamas has always had a special place in her heart for children, especially those with special needs. As an AmeriCorps member she has found a way to follow her heart by working with kids in her community who need to know that someone cares. Shortly after moving from the Los Angeles area to the small mountain community of Galax, Nicole became an Americorps member as a reading tutor with Carroll County Schools. Through her AmeriCorps service, she has been able to complete her degree in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She plans to teach at the school where she has served for the past two years. "Americorps was a perfect match for me because I wanted to work with children while finishing my degree. I was able to do so with the help of the education award which I also plan to use to obtain my masters degree." In addition to fulfilling her desire to help Virginia's children, Nicole is trying to set an example for her own two young children and instill the values of community service and volunteering in their lives. She encourages others to consider AmeriCorps: "I would recommend volunteer service to anyone who wants to change the lives of not only other people but their own life as well. Once you start volunteering, your life and the way you look at it will never be the same."

New Legislation to Support Mentoring Programs

The U.S. Senate has introduced The Mentoring For All Act of 2008 (S.3200) which would create a competitive grant fund of $50 million to strengthen and grow the mentoring infrastructure, known as Mentoring Partnerships, across the country. The legislation would provide more than $30 million in grants plus support for direct service mentoring organizations. Among their many roles, Mentoring Partnerships provide training and technical assistance, recruit mentors, and advance research to mentoring programs. Learn about the Virginia Mentoring Partnership.

Faith-based Groups Assist Returning Soldiers

Faith-based organizations and churches across the U.S. are joining together to address the problems of returning soldiers. Some of problems facing returning military members include addiction to alcohol or drugs, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and financial distress. Although help is available through government services, family support and nonprofit service providers, including faith groups -- many individuals don't get the help they need because they don't know they need help, don't know where to find it, or fear a stigma associated with their problem. Several states are bringing together government agencies, religious institutions and community-based nonprofits to address the needs of returning soldiers. Find out more.

Grants.gov Enhancements

Grants.gov has introduced several enhancements designed to improve the applicant experience and simplify the grant process for both the applicant and the grant-making agency. These enhancements were made based on applicant and grantor assessments and requests. Because the application process is a key component of the Grants.gov experience, application forms have been improved with expanded data fields, an improved "Save and Submit" feature, more information on the submission confirmation page, and an improved submission receipt e-mail. Visit grants.gov to see the enhancements for yourself.

Study Shows Young Leaders are Looking to Nonprofits

According to a new study from the Meyer Foundation, a skilled, committed, and diverse pool of next generation leaders would like to be nonprofit executive directors in the future. "Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out" polled 6,000 individuals and is the largest national survey of emerging nonprofit leaders. The survey also finds, however, that there are significant barriers: work-life balance, insufficient life-long earning potential, lack of mentorship and overwhelming fundraising responsibilities which may prevent many younger nonprofit staff from becoming executives. Take a look.

Youth to Lead Nationwide Drive for School Supplies

Do Something 101 is a partnership between dosomething.org and Staples office supply stores to collect new school supplies for kids in need across the U.S. The teen-led campaign will run throughout July and August and will feature public service announcements featuring American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. Donations will be accepted at Staples locations and then be deliered to students in need. If your organization would like to join the effort, visit dosomething.org for details.

Disability Law Makes AmeriCorps More Accessible

President Bush recently signed into law H.R. 6081, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 ("the HEART Act"), making AmeriCorps more accessible to people with disabilities. The HEART Act contains a provision that excludes AmeriCorps benefits from being counted as income for purposes of eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This extends the long-time AmeriCorps VISTA income disregard for SSI to all AmeriCorps positions. Find out more.

Fatherhood Resources Available

The National Fatherhood Initiative is offering quality skill-building fatherhood resources free to select organizations. Your organization may qualify to receive a "Fatherhood Resource Center," containing $3,000 worth of quality fatherhood curriculum, brochures, interactive resources, and posters. The deadline to apply is Aug. 4. For more information, or to apply, visit http://www.fatherhood.org/requestsforproposals/.