Volunteer Virginia - October 2020

October 2020

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Virginia Honors 9/11 Through

Acts of Service

Individuals and organizations throughout the Commonwealth found innovate and creative ways to once again honor 9/11 Day. Events and projects honored both the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance AND Day to Serve (Sept. 11-Oct. 10). Virginia's AmeriCorps programs were among the many organizations who hosted projects from collecting donations for veterans homes to organizing food drives. In Hillsville, more than 20 Carroll County Public Schools Lift Up AmeriCorps members and volunteers spruced up the VFW 1115 property by painting their picnic shelter (top right). In Richmond, CARITAS AmeriCorps members built 16 tables to be distributed to families coming out of a housing crisis and served by CARITAS Furniture Bank (bottom right). Day to Serve continues until October 10th so there's still time to serve! Find an opportunity near you at http://www.daytoserve.org/map

Attention Youth!

Nominations Are Open

for the Prudential Spirit of

Community Awards!

Virginia students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for the 2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteering within the past 12 months — virtually or otherwise. The top middle and high school volunteers from each state will be named State Honorees in February. They will receive $1,000 scholarships, engraved silver medallions, and an invitation to the program's national recognition events. In May, the program will name America's top 10 youth volunteers of 2021 who will receive additional $5,000 scholarships, gold medallions, crystal trophies for their nominating schools or organizations, and $5,000 Prudential grants for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice. The deadline to apply is Nov. 10.

AmeriCorps Has a New Look!

The Corporation for National and Community Service has released a new brand strategy for the future, announcing it will now operate as “AmeriCorps” as part of a larger effort to grow awareness of service opportunities for all Americans. Along with the new name, the federal agency also revealed a new visual identity for the agency and all its programs, the first major update for the agency since it was created 25 years ago.

Virginia AmeriCorps Programs (Virtually) Kick Off Service Year!

Technology made it possible for 200 of Virginia's AmeriCorps members to join together for a day-long training and celebration on Friday, September 25, 2020. Members gathered on Zoom for a day filled with educational sessions on topics from trauma-informed care to diversity and inclusion. The highlight of the day took place when members from every corner of the state virtually took their oath for a year of service. Some programs were able to watch the day's events together, while socially-distanced. Congratulations to the 2020-21 "class" of AmeriCorps members who have committed to serving across the state!

Nonprofit Toolbox

If you would like to share additional resources with us, please pass them along to us via email at VirginiaServiceInfo@dss.virginia.gov.

COVIDWISE App is the best way to track COVID-19 exposure and keep our communities safe. Please continue to encourage your constituents to download this free app today!

Civic Life Today: A Look at American Civic Engagement Amid a Global Pandemic is the latest research from Points of Light which surveyed 1400+ adults of every generation from the silent generation to Gen Z.

Social Responsibility Begins Here: Use the Pandemic to Teach Your Kids to Be Good Citizens highlights seven ways you can teach your kids to be good citizens.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Your Nonprofit is a list of helpful resources compiled by Nonprofit Learning Lab.

Dismantling Systemic Racism in Schools: 8 Big Ideas presents some strategies for best serving our young people during this troubling time.

Youth Resources for Planning Anti Racist Projects is a great list of ways young people can get energized and plan projects that support diversity and inclusion.

Guide to Remote Community Engagement is a tool compiled by Cities of Service with ideas and best practices for safely and effectively engaging residents remotely.

Resources for Virtual Projects breaks down how you can get started planning and implementing great service projects that are safe but powerful.

How to Make Zoom Training Sessions More Interesting details key ways to make your virtual meetings more impactful and exciting.

How to Recruit Remote Volunteers During COVID-19 Using RemoteHub explains how to best utilize the global job marketplace which has 10,000 active companies and professionals offering services in 100+ categories.

Giving Tuesday is December 1st -- right around the corner! Click the link for some great resources for templates, social media messages, and more, to prepare for the effort.

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation National Grants support innovative projects that help youth with disabilities develop the leadership and employment skills they need to succeed. Deadline: Oct. 15

Comprehensive High-Impact HIV Prevention Programs for Community-Based Organizations provides funding for a vast array of HIV prevention efforts. Deadline: Nov. 20

Supporting Impactful Charities During The COVID-19 Pandemic supports impactful nonprofits, which will be awarded on a monthly basis starting in July and continuing through the rest of 2020. Deadline: Ongoing

Stories of Service

Colby Samide

Purcellville, VA

Colby, a 17-year-old junior at Woodgrove High School in Purcellville, decided to make a difference by building desks for kids who found themselves learning virtually without proper supplies. He got the idea from the Facebook group Desks by Dads. Colby started his own Facebook page called Desks for Distance. "So far, I’ve actually created 38 desks . . . Having it blow up overnight it’s awesome because I never thought I’d be able to produce this many and it feels amazing to give back and help my community,” he says.

Ra Shawn Johnson & Dustin Cason

Staunton, VA

Best friends for more than a decade, Ra Shawn and Dustin decided a year ago to commit to volunteering for Meals on Wheels every Wednesday. Despite the pandemic and day-to-day life complications, the pair haven't missed a meal delivery yet!

The friends routinely load up the car with 50+ meals for community members in need. “Hopefully, when we get to that age someone will take care of us, look out for us and bring us some meals,” Johnson said. “We end up getting blessed more than they do."