Governor's Awards will Honor Virginians Who Serve

Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards. The awards highlight the efforts of outstanding Virginians who seek to enhance the lives of others in their communities. Honors are given each year to groups, individuals and families whose volunteer and community service efforts exemplify extraordinary volunteer service. Winners will be announced at a ceremony during Volunteer Week in April. Nominate someone today or review the nomination frequently asked questions.

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 in Chester, Oct. 16, and 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 (see below) 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. View photos from this year's launch events.

Anthony Simpson is Honored with Robert Wone Award

This year's recipient of the Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service was Anthony Simpson, a returning member of the VCU AmeriCorps - America Reads program. Anthony was honored for improving the lives of others with disabilities through community education and awareness initiatives. Despite being bound to a motorized scooter, he continually provided enthusiasm and energy into teaching and tutoring his students at Woodville Elementary School. Anthony graciously accepted the honor saying, "Working with AmeriCorps has afforded me a great opportunity. It has helped me to grow in many ways by allowing me to help children improve themselves academically." Read Anthony's story.

Is Your Organization Right for AmeriCorps?

The Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service and the Corporation for National and Community Service Virginia State Office are sponsoring a series of orientation sessions for organizations interested in acquiring AmeriCorps members and administering an AmeriCorps State or VISTA program. In-depth informational sessions will be held at several locations throughout the Commonwealth. Review the orientation dates and locations, register for a session, and take our self-assessment to determine if your organization has the capacity for successfully competing for an AmeriCorps grant.

Get to Know Julie Grimes

Virginia Advisory Board on National and Community Service

Julie Grimes is someone who feels that community service is not just a nice thing to do -- it is a necessity of life. "Volunteering is not something I do . . . it's something I can't not do," she says. Her commitment to service has included a wide range of organizations and efforts. She has been active with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity since 1987, serving on the board of directors and as a newsletter editor. Ms. Grimes coordinated a number of builds (including the First Lady's Build in 2000) and has recruited additional volunteers for Habitat from her church with other congregations. She also volunteers her time in the Bon Air Baptist Church library and enjoys sharing her passion for volunteering and service to others with elementary school girls each week. A two-time breast cancer survivor, Ms. Grimes offers support and encouragement to those recently diagnosed. In September, she traveled to South Africa where she volunteered at the Door of Hope orphanage in Johannesburg. Ms. Grimes received a bachelor's degree in mass communications and speech from the University of South Florida and a master's degree in library and information science from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Grimes has worked with the Virginia Department of Education for eight years and is currently the communications manager. Ms. Grimes, her husband Mark Fagerburg and their 11-year-old daughter Alia live in Bon Air.

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.

EMBRACE Richmond to Host Inaugural Chair Affair

EMBRACE Richmond, a faith-based organization and AmeriCorps program which helps Richmond area families and individuals experiencing housing problems achieve and sustain self-sufficiency, is hosting its first annual Chair Affair event, Nov. 8. The event is designed to raise money to serve an additional 100 households in 2009 and to train and supervise 12 formerly homeless individuals though its transitional employment program. Donations will also help provide aftercare support to 50 formerly homeless families for up to one year. Find out more about EMBRACE Richmond.

Get Certified in Volunteer Administration

The Council for Certification in Volunteer Management is now accepting registration for the 2008-2009 certification program. If you mobilize and manage volunteers, this unique program recognizes practitioners in the field of volunteer resources management who meet specified standards as measured through an exam and a written portfolio. This is a self-study process requiring no travel or special classes. Individuals with the equivalent of at least three years of experience leading and directing volunteers are eligible. The deadline for registering for the next cycle is March 1, 2009. Find out more.

Grants Target Social Networking and Youth Service

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has recently awarded two Virginia organizations grants aimed at tapping the skyrocketing popularity of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to promote social good. The $2.3 million in grants will provide seed funding to develop the next generation of technology innovations to support college student service. Administered by CNCS's Learn and Serve America program, Virginia's Youth Venture and the Phoenix Project received awards. The grants are part of a larger initiative by the Corporation to engage five million college students annually in service by the year 2010. Find out more.

Nominate a Virginia Mentor

Virginians who have shown exceptional commitment to mentoring young people will be honored Feb. 12, at the Annual Virginia Mentoring Awards. Nominations are being accepted by the Virginia Mentoring Partnership until Dec. 1. Nomination instructions and details.

Nonprofit Resources

• The U.S. Dept. of Labor offers an informative training module for faith-based and community organizations and government grants.
• Modest Needs Foundation is a new funding program designed to assist smaller nonprofits from start-up organization to the realm of development departments and grant writers.
• Virginia Foreclosure Prevention Task Force has created an online mortgage clinic that provides important information to help prevent a foreclosure on your home or to recover from one. The site also links to other housing resources.
• A Billion + Change, the federal challenge to corporate America to deliver $1 billion in pro bono volunteering support for nonprofits, has reached $406 million in pledges.
• Grants.gov "Find and Apply" sessions can be requested by any organization or group. These presentations are interactive and tailored for individual audiences.
• Grants.gov blog features updates on system functionality, meeting announcements, grant opportunities, media responses, and more.
• The Community Kindness Calendar has been launched. Organizations can earn $5 per calendar when sold at special events. All proceeds go to Operation Community Kindness.
• The Community Tax Law Project provides pro bono legal assistance to potential and existing nonprofit organizations in Greater Richmond and Central Virginia whose primary mission is to assist low income populations. Contact Mirna Hernandez, mhernandez@ctlp.org, 804-358-5855.
• A new feature will appear in Richmond Magazine which will promote a selection of highlights from the organizational profiles on the ConnectRichmond Web site. Make sure your organization profile is up-to-date!

• Lifeline Service, through SafeLink Wireless, allows qualified individuals the ability to receive free cellular service, a free cell phone and free minutes every month. Individuals must participate in one of several assistance programs.

In the News

• The Faith-Based and Community Initiative Advisory Council is presenting a Best Practices Forum in Martinsville, Dec. 4. The forum will discuss ways to partner to get the resources necessary to run successful programs to deliver services to people in need, allow discussion of current unmet human service needs in the region, and enable individuals to meet potential partners.
• "AmeriCorps Dedicates Make a Difference Day to VCU 40th Anniversary Celebration" - The VCU View highlights Make a Difference Day plans for the VCU AmeriCorps - America Reads program and also recognizes Anthony Simpson as this year's Wone Award winner. See the article.
• "Justice Department Decision Could Extend Religious Hiring Rights" - The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy reports that the Justice Department has determined that a federal grant program could exempt a Christian relief organization from a prohibition against hiring only those of its own faith. Read more.
• "Blogging Like the World Depended On It" - Newsweek explores efforts among America's youth to transform social networking in to social change. Take a look.