It's National AmeriCorps Week! I am more and more amazed by all of the things AmeriCorps members are accomplishing in Ames and Central Iowa. Our VISTA at the Volunteer Center of Story County, Laura, is full-fledged into a project that she dreamed up months ago... and it's becoming a reality. Back in September, almost right away when she began her VISTA term, she heard about a homeless garden in California, where people who were homeless had the opportunity to work on this garden, gain skills, and produce food to feed themselves. From that minute, she knew she wanted to do something similar here.
After months of planning with the AmeZone youth group, the Service Patch is becoming a reality. On Global Youth Service Day, organized by Laura and a fellow VISTA in Ames, volunteers joined together to kick off the Service Patch by building raised planters, a compost bin, a shed, a deer fence and more. By the end of the day today, weather permitting, there may be the start of vegetables in the garden.
The motto of The Service Patch is "Growing More Than Food." Laura's vision was that this garden would not only produce food (all to be donated to local food pantries and shelters), but that it would also grow relationships. It is a community space where people of all backgrounds can come together to volunteer, learn, grow food and friendships. Already youth and adults have joined together, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, and soon people from area shelters will be out working on the garden. Throughout the summer, there will community events with music, food and friendship.
We'd like to get the whole community involved - so I hope you can make it out sometime!
And, if you'd like to learn more about AmeriCorps and how AmeriCorps members are creating change in Central Iowa, join us for an AmeriCorps Week Panel Wednesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ames Public Library. All are welcome.
-Amanda
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Recognize your volunteers
National Volunteer Week is quickly approaching - this year's celebration of volunteers will be April 18-24.
The Volunteer Center of Story County recommends a number of ways to recognize the volunteers putting in hours at your agency.
1) Nominate your volunteers that are under the age of 25 for the 2010 Story County Youth Volunteer Award. This is a great way to appreciate your young volunteers. Awards such as these look great on resumes when applying for colleges, scholarships or jobs. Nomination forms are due March 23 and can be found on our Web site at www.vcstory.org. Recipients will be recognized at a reception on April 19 at the Iowa State University Memorial Union.
2) Encourage volunteers to sign up for the 10,000 Hours Show. This is a program to recognize young volunteers for all of their work. For volunteering 10 hours at your organization, volunteers can attend a free concert with other volunteers around Central Iowa. This year's concert will be by nationally-known band Cold War Kids on April 9 in the Great Hall of the ISU Memorial Union. To sign up, visit http://www.10000hours.stuorg.iastate.edu/Home.html.
3) Help your volunteers get a free ticket to a Disney Theme Park with the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program. Sign your organization up at http://VOP.HandsOnNetwork.org, and verify the hours of your volunteers. One million tickets are being given out - sign up soon!
There are many, many other ways to recognize your volunteers - hold your own awards ceremony, give small tokens of appreciation, write a letter of recommendation, give volunteers more responsibility, provide additional training or professional development, or just say THANK YOU!
The Volunteer Center of Story County recommends a number of ways to recognize the volunteers putting in hours at your agency.
1) Nominate your volunteers that are under the age of 25 for the 2010 Story County Youth Volunteer Award. This is a great way to appreciate your young volunteers. Awards such as these look great on resumes when applying for colleges, scholarships or jobs. Nomination forms are due March 23 and can be found on our Web site at www.vcstory.org. Recipients will be recognized at a reception on April 19 at the Iowa State University Memorial Union.
2) Encourage volunteers to sign up for the 10,000 Hours Show. This is a program to recognize young volunteers for all of their work. For volunteering 10 hours at your organization, volunteers can attend a free concert with other volunteers around Central Iowa. This year's concert will be by nationally-known band Cold War Kids on April 9 in the Great Hall of the ISU Memorial Union. To sign up, visit http://www.10000hours.stuorg.iastate.edu/Home.html.
3) Help your volunteers get a free ticket to a Disney Theme Park with the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program. Sign your organization up at http://VOP.HandsOnNetwork.org, and verify the hours of your volunteers. One million tickets are being given out - sign up soon!
There are many, many other ways to recognize your volunteers - hold your own awards ceremony, give small tokens of appreciation, write a letter of recommendation, give volunteers more responsibility, provide additional training or professional development, or just say THANK YOU!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Get involved with the AmeZone community garden!
The Volunteer Center has some exciting opportunities available to get involved with the AmeZone homeless community garden project. Go to our website (http://www.vcstory.org/) for more information and applications. These positions offer volunteers a great chance to gain experience with volunteer management and event planning, in addition to connecting with community members from diverse backgrounds and serving a community need.
Global Youth Service Day Intern
Assist the Volunteer Center and United Ames in planning a volunteer event on Global Youth Service Day that will bring community volunteers together to create a community garden on April 24 and May 1. Contact laura.logsdon@vcstory.org to express interest by March 10.
Volunteer Garden Supervisor
Manage volunteers and garden tasks at the homeless community garden this summer, May-August. Basic training will be provided and all experience levels encouraged to apply. Email application to amezone@vcstory.org or return to the Volunteer Center 130 S. Sheldon Ave. #201 by March 30.
You can also get involved with the garden on Global Youth Service Day (April 24) when we break ground on the garden, and the following weekend (May 1) when we begin planting. Lots of volunteers are needed!!! We can't wait to get started on this project, and we've loved working with United Ames to facilitate the AmeZone youth group during this planning process. It's really a huge group effort and the more people working us on it, the more this will truly be a community garden!
Here are some websites to check out for more info:
http://amezone.webs.com/
http://unitedames.webs.com/
http://www.vcstory.org/
- Laura
Global Youth Service Day Intern
Assist the Volunteer Center and United Ames in planning a volunteer event on Global Youth Service Day that will bring community volunteers together to create a community garden on April 24 and May 1. Contact laura.logsdon@vcstory.org to express interest by March 10.
Volunteer Garden Supervisor
Manage volunteers and garden tasks at the homeless community garden this summer, May-August. Basic training will be provided and all experience levels encouraged to apply. Email application to amezone@vcstory.org or return to the Volunteer Center 130 S. Sheldon Ave. #201 by March 30.
You can also get involved with the garden on Global Youth Service Day (April 24) when we break ground on the garden, and the following weekend (May 1) when we begin planting. Lots of volunteers are needed!!! We can't wait to get started on this project, and we've loved working with United Ames to facilitate the AmeZone youth group during this planning process. It's really a huge group effort and the more people working us on it, the more this will truly be a community garden!
Here are some websites to check out for more info:
http://amezone.webs.com/
http://unitedames.webs.com/
http://www.vcstory.org/
- Laura
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Following in Dr. King's Footsteps
We were thrilled to have more than 200 volunteers of all ages, races, and cultures come out to to follow in Dr. Martin Luther King's footsteps on Jan. 18. We never imagined we would see that sort of response.
I was really inspired to see several of our AmeZone youth volunteers step up as leaders that day. In the midst of a bit of chaos, they took charge, leading a number of service projects to support their Homeless Community Garden. They built benches and created mosaic stepping stones. They got young kids interested in planting and gardening by helping them plant flower and herb seeds in pots. They helped volunteers assemble care packages for the residents of local homeless and domestic assault shelters. This event hopefully generated interest for other youth present, and these AmeZone youth will prove to be great mentors and leaders for them.
Dr. King has always been a huge inspiration to me. I have his quotes plastered around my office and bedroom. So, to be able to participate in and help create a day in his name, where volunteers were working to better their communities as Dr. King did, really meant a lot to me. Paxton Williams, our keynote speaker, who is the executive director of the George Washington Carver Birthplace Association, made great connections about the importance of giving back to our local communities in such an energectic way.
To have elected officials, the press, and other important members of our community come out to support the cause was also very hopeful. This MLK Day project was a great launch of our semester of service. We will spend the next couple of months continuing to design and plan the community garden, and will break ground on Global Youth Service Day, April 24. Thanks to everyone who came out and made MLK Day a day ON, not a day off!
-Amanda
I was really inspired to see several of our AmeZone youth volunteers step up as leaders that day. In the midst of a bit of chaos, they took charge, leading a number of service projects to support their Homeless Community Garden. They built benches and created mosaic stepping stones. They got young kids interested in planting and gardening by helping them plant flower and herb seeds in pots. They helped volunteers assemble care packages for the residents of local homeless and domestic assault shelters. This event hopefully generated interest for other youth present, and these AmeZone youth will prove to be great mentors and leaders for them.
Dr. King has always been a huge inspiration to me. I have his quotes plastered around my office and bedroom. So, to be able to participate in and help create a day in his name, where volunteers were working to better their communities as Dr. King did, really meant a lot to me. Paxton Williams, our keynote speaker, who is the executive director of the George Washington Carver Birthplace Association, made great connections about the importance of giving back to our local communities in such an energectic way.
To have elected officials, the press, and other important members of our community come out to support the cause was also very hopeful. This MLK Day project was a great launch of our semester of service. We will spend the next couple of months continuing to design and plan the community garden, and will break ground on Global Youth Service Day, April 24. Thanks to everyone who came out and made MLK Day a day ON, not a day off!
-Amanda
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Resolve to Volunteer
So it’s time to make your resolution. You’ve been thinking about starting a new exercise program the minute the sun comes up on January 1. Stopping smoking is a noble goal. You might want to get organized by throwing things out or cut back on your spending.
But what if you add something to your life instead of taking something away? It’s easier to have a goal that is adding something instead of taking it away. Wouldn’t you rather eat more fruits and veggies than stop eating junk food? You’ll accomplish the same thing. You will still reach the goal of being healthier.
Why not add volunteering to your list of resolutions?
Three reasons to volunteer:
1.It’s good for you heart. Studies show that volunteering can help lower blood pressure, and help prevent heart disease.
2.It’s good for you head. Volunteering creates social bonds and support that can lower rates of depression by giving the volunteer a sense of purpose.
3.It’s good for you waistline. Studies show that volunteers have more weight control. You can also do volunteer opportunities that help you exercise, like building houses for Habitat for Humanity, planting trees or playing in the park with you “little” brother or sister.
Tips on how to make volunteering your resolution:
1.Plan your volunteer opportunities. Look at www.vcstory.org and your calendar and come up a plan. Think of things you’d like to do all year, not just in January. Don’t wait to sign up for some of the opportunities. They can go fast!
2. Volunteer with a group or family. Children can learn a lot from watching their parents volunteer. It also creates family memories and holds you accountable.
3. Make volunteering a priority. Just like work and family obligations, volunteering can become a habit you enjoy.
4. Connect volunteering to another goal. Resolving to meet new people? Take a part in the Volunteer Center’s new group, Do Good Mixers. This group is open to anyone 21 and over. Members volunteer with a group on a one time project, then socialize afterwards. It’s a great way to get to know your community and meet like minded people.
Resolving to get involved with your community? Join one a board of a local organization.
Want to get into shape? Do a walk or run for charity. Be a mentor. Take your mentee out to play catch or go to the park. Help clean up Iowa State with Keep Iowa State Beautiful.
Plant trees at Threshold Learning Center or plant at Reiman Gardens.
So what are you still sitting on the couch for? Help out someone in need, and help yourself live well. Sign up for a volunteer opportunity at www.vcstory.org.
Trish
But what if you add something to your life instead of taking something away? It’s easier to have a goal that is adding something instead of taking it away. Wouldn’t you rather eat more fruits and veggies than stop eating junk food? You’ll accomplish the same thing. You will still reach the goal of being healthier.
Why not add volunteering to your list of resolutions?
Three reasons to volunteer:
1.It’s good for you heart. Studies show that volunteering can help lower blood pressure, and help prevent heart disease.
2.It’s good for you head. Volunteering creates social bonds and support that can lower rates of depression by giving the volunteer a sense of purpose.
3.It’s good for you waistline. Studies show that volunteers have more weight control. You can also do volunteer opportunities that help you exercise, like building houses for Habitat for Humanity, planting trees or playing in the park with you “little” brother or sister.
Tips on how to make volunteering your resolution:
1.Plan your volunteer opportunities. Look at www.vcstory.org and your calendar and come up a plan. Think of things you’d like to do all year, not just in January. Don’t wait to sign up for some of the opportunities. They can go fast!
2. Volunteer with a group or family. Children can learn a lot from watching their parents volunteer. It also creates family memories and holds you accountable.
3. Make volunteering a priority. Just like work and family obligations, volunteering can become a habit you enjoy.
4. Connect volunteering to another goal. Resolving to meet new people? Take a part in the Volunteer Center’s new group, Do Good Mixers. This group is open to anyone 21 and over. Members volunteer with a group on a one time project, then socialize afterwards. It’s a great way to get to know your community and meet like minded people.
Resolving to get involved with your community? Join one a board of a local organization.
Want to get into shape? Do a walk or run for charity. Be a mentor. Take your mentee out to play catch or go to the park. Help clean up Iowa State with Keep Iowa State Beautiful.
Plant trees at Threshold Learning Center or plant at Reiman Gardens.
So what are you still sitting on the couch for? Help out someone in need, and help yourself live well. Sign up for a volunteer opportunity at www.vcstory.org.
Trish
Friday, December 18, 2009
Do Good Mixer update
I am amazed how much can be accomplished with only a few dedicated people. Jennifer Garret from Iowa State and Cory Kleinheksel a student at Iowa State helped me come up with some amazing ideas for our new group, Do Good Mixer.
Some of the ideas for projects include:
Serving meals at Food at First
Participating in Stash the Trash on March 27
Help distribute food at Share
Participating in Keep Iowa State Beautiful
Helping at Iowa Games and Special Olympics
Doing clean up for the Story County Conservation
Shoveling snow and doing lawn work for elderly and disabled
Some of the ideas for socializing afterwards include:
Cooking out or having a picnic
Going bowling
Going for coffee
$1 movies at North Grand Mall
Exploring restaurants outside of Ames
Doing a restaurant tour
Pizza and game night
We decided our first event is going to be a family friendly one since many people have MLK day off. We are going to join the Volunteer Center of Story County and the service learning group AmeZone in helping to plan and decorate the new Homeless garden the group is creating. The event will be held at 130 S. Sheldon in the auditorium from 12-3pm Jan 18, 2010. More details to come as plans begin to firm up.
Please send your suggestions on ideas for after volunteer options.
Thanks!
Some of the ideas for projects include:
Serving meals at Food at First
Participating in Stash the Trash on March 27
Help distribute food at Share
Participating in Keep Iowa State Beautiful
Helping at Iowa Games and Special Olympics
Doing clean up for the Story County Conservation
Shoveling snow and doing lawn work for elderly and disabled
Some of the ideas for socializing afterwards include:
Cooking out or having a picnic
Going bowling
Going for coffee
$1 movies at North Grand Mall
Exploring restaurants outside of Ames
Doing a restaurant tour
Pizza and game night
We decided our first event is going to be a family friendly one since many people have MLK day off. We are going to join the Volunteer Center of Story County and the service learning group AmeZone in helping to plan and decorate the new Homeless garden the group is creating. The event will be held at 130 S. Sheldon in the auditorium from 12-3pm Jan 18, 2010. More details to come as plans begin to firm up.
Please send your suggestions on ideas for after volunteer options.
Thanks!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Help Those Around You
While I was sitting in my house during a snow storm yesterday, I saw the TV scrawl that Meals On Wheels in some communities were being canceled due to the weather. It made my heart ache to think while I was warm in my house with plenty, there were people in my community and the ones surrounding that weren’t going to get a meal that day. I don’t blame Meals On Wheels. They have to look out for their drivers and the roads were impassable. But this is the time to reflect on what community and volunteering mean to us.
Volunteering is not just going to the food bank one time a year and helping strangers. Volunteering is looking out for your elderly neighbors to make sure they’re doing OK during a storm. It’s snow blowing the driveway of a single mother who doesn’t own a snow blower. It’s holding the door open for someone in a wheelchair or one crutches. It’s about the small things you do everyday for those around you. So volunteer with an organization, but also look at ways you can help the people around you on a daily basis. It will make your heart feel good.
Trish
Volunteering is not just going to the food bank one time a year and helping strangers. Volunteering is looking out for your elderly neighbors to make sure they’re doing OK during a storm. It’s snow blowing the driveway of a single mother who doesn’t own a snow blower. It’s holding the door open for someone in a wheelchair or one crutches. It’s about the small things you do everyday for those around you. So volunteer with an organization, but also look at ways you can help the people around you on a daily basis. It will make your heart feel good.
Trish
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