September is for Volunteering
More Than Ever -
Your Community Needs You!
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As communities across Virginia work to deal with COVID-19, civil unrest, and economic distress (on top of ongoing needs), volunteers are needed now more than ever! Reach out to your local Volunteer Center and find out how you can help. There are numerous opportunities to serve (safely) in September.
Day to Serve (Sept. 11-Oct. 11) is a multi-state effort that transcends politics and religious differences by uniting people of all faiths, races, cultures, and backgrounds with the goal of helping those in need.
Virginia Volunteer Centers have loads of virtual and safe in-person opportunities for you to serve. From making and distributing various kits to serving meals to students who are now learning virtually -- there are ways you can serve right in your own backyard.
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Learn How to Become
an AmeriCorps Program!
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We'd love to tell you how AmeriCorps can expand the reach of your programs and this is the perfect time of year for those discussions. Our next application process is currently underway. We will be seeking new applicants and we'd love to talk to you about AmeriCorps in general and our Virginia priorities. Find out more at VirginiaService.virginia.gov and/or contact Samantha Lukasiewicz, samantha.lukasiewicz@dss.virginia.gov, (804) 726-7925. The deadline for applications is September 17, 2020. |
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AmeriCorps NCCC Teams Deployed Across Virginia |
AmeriCorps NCCC Teams are arrving in Virginia from the Southern Regional Campus in Vicksburg, MS, for their first round of projects! One team is serving at JK Community Farm in Sterling helping to meet their goal of donating 135,000 pounds of healthy food this year. Stream Sweepers, in St. Paul, is hosting a team to help make the Clinch River Valley riverfront safer. The City of Norton will again host a team who will work to connect the Flag Rock Trail System to a newly built campground. Finally, a team has been deployed to George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Harrisonburg, to assist with a variety of work including tree planting, prescribed burns and wildfire support. Interested in having an NCCC team help your community? The deadline for the next round of Concept Papers is September 17th. Welcome NCCC teams! |
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Disasters Don't Wait.
Make Your Plan Today.
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National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.
As organizations serving communities all across Virginia, follow Ready.gov's National Preparedness Month Calendar below to get the word out and make our communities safer!
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Sept. 1-5 - Make a Plan
Talk to your constituents about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus. More
Sept. 6-12 - Build a Kit
Communicate to your constituents to gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in their home. More
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Sept. 13-19 - Prepare for Disasters
Help limit the impacts that disasters have on your community by communicating the risk of disasters in your area and encourage your constituents to check their insurance coverage. More
Sept. 20-26 - Teach Youth About Preparedness
Talk to kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case they are separated. More
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COVIDWISE App is now available to track COVID-19 exposure and keep our communities safe. Encourage your constituents to download this free app today!
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VAReady.org is a new initiative designed to help unemployed Virginians who dedicate themselves to training for in-demand jobs.
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Virginia Dept. of Education's English Learner Instruction Program is offering a new series of webinars geared to support families as they prepare for the upcoming school year, specifically supporting learning at home. The links below are for the respective Zoom sessions:
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Help1RVA.org is a fantastic resource for individuals needing vital services not easily found through other means in Central Virginia. For instance, are you a senior who needs help getting to and from your doctor appointments or a housebound individual who needs periodic check-ins? Check here for resources.
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COVID-19 Fundraising Template Kit for Nonprofits contains email and social media templates to help you raise money and engage donors during these challenging times while following social distancing guidelines that keep your entire community safe.
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Roanoke Area CARES Act Recovery Funds are available to cover expenses incurred during and directly related to COVID-19 for nonprofits, mental health/substance abuse providers, and nonprofit food banks/food pantries/food delivery services.
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2020 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grants are available for 12 state and local governments (including Virginia Beach) to assist in developing innovative regional solutions to issues relating to catastrophic incidents, including pandemic preparedness.
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Do Good From Home Challenge donates up to 25,000 Hasbro toys and games to organizations providing care to the children of COVID-19 essential workers for every kind act shared through #dogoodfromhome.
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Take the ServiceVote Challenge and complete 5 activities - one in each of five categories - between now and Election Day (November 3, 2020) to be eligible for one of three $250 awards. (Additional awards may be added later.)
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2020 Virginia Governor’s Honor Awards recognize noteworthy accomplishments by state employees that significantly contribute to the advancement of the Commonwealth’s strategic goals, mission, objectives and overall administrative excellence. Deadline: Sept. 15.
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Esha & Shreyaa Venkat Ashburg, VA
Esha and Shreyaa have been selected as honorees for the 2020 George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award! The award recognizes uplifting, outstanding individuals who drive sustained change within and outside their communities. Esha and Shreyaa are founders of NEST4US, which supports the homeless population in Northern Virginia. Shreyaa was also honored as Outstanding Youth Volunteer at the Virginia Governor's Volunteerism Awards last year. The duo will be honored at a special ceremony on Sept. 26 hosted, in part, by Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager.
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Adrian Allred
Alexandria, VA
17-year-old Adrian has supplied first responders in Fairfax County with a tool they might not have realized they needed: anxiety and autism comfort kits Adrian, who has autism, saw the need and made it happen -- the kits are now now carried on all 42 medic units in the county. Adrian is also a Boy Scout member of
Sea Scout Ship 818 in the Colonial District of the National Capital Area Council, BSA, and the kits complete his Eagle Scout Service Project. Just hours after a kit was placed in one unit, it helped calm a nonverbal child they encountered during a call.
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Alex Blank
Charlottesville, VA
Alex Blank found a way to give back to her community during
the ongoing pandemic. She founded covkids-20.com, a website designed to help keep families entertained during quarantine. With assistance
from her family, she’s been
able to include a list of 100
things to do along with ways
to show acts of kindness.
Alex says that her favorite
activity included in the
list is indoor putt-putt golf. “It includes acts of kindness so
you can keep spreading it
and help other people out as well," she says.
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Online Training Opportunities |
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Virginia Office on Volunteerism & Community Services
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