From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Fri Jan 15 21:09:49 2016 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 13:09:49 -0800 Subject: [Cacommunity-service] Fwd: [Community-service] {Disarmed} MLK Day of Service Unites Americans in Volunteer Service References: Message-ID: <916D6BCC-19E8-4358-92A6-4468F7872EEA@gmail.com> > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Darian Smith via Community-service > Subject: [Community-service] {Disarmed} MLK Day of Service Unites Americans in Volunteer Service > Date: January 15, 2016 at 1:06:50 PM PST > To: Community Service Discussion List > Cc: Darian Smith > Reply-To: Community Service Discussion List > > >> >> http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCNCS/bulletins/1306ae4 >> >> 4 <> >> Receive Updates >> >> MLK Day of Service Unites Americans in Volunteer Service >> Corporation for National & Community Service sent this bulletin at 01/15/2016 12:52 PM EST >> <> >> Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page . >> >> >> For Immediate Release >> Samantha Jo Warfield, CNCS >> Friday, January 15, 2016 >> pressoffice at cns.gov ; 202-606-6775 >> >> MLK Day of Service Unites Americans in Volunteer Service >> Hundreds of thousands will mark the day of service with projects in all 50 states >> >> WASHINGTON, D.C. ? On Monday, January 18, thousands of organizations across the across the country will lead Americans in the nation's largest day of civic engagement, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. >> With an emphasis on creating opportunity for all, citizens in all 50 states will deliver meals, refurbish schools and community centers, and collect food and clothing. Volunteers will also recruit mentors, build homes and provide other services for veterans and military families, and help citizens improve their financial literacy skills. >> ?Dr. King?s life is a shining example that one person can make a difference and change the course of history,? said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). ?By volunteering in communities across the nation on the MLK Day of Service, we honor his legacy through the spirit of service. I am honored to serve alongside the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are dedicating a day to give back, and I am convinced that the day will inspire many to make volunteering part of their lives all year long.? >> In 1994, Congress designated MLK Day as the first and only federal holiday observed as a national day of service, and charged CNCS with leading this effort. Participants in the agency's AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs are leading and participating in projects across the country. Americans may visit MLKDay.gov to find a service project for MLK Day or a year-round volunteer opportunity in their own community. >> CNCS provides grants to six national organizations that play a leadership role in the MLK Day of Service: Youth Service of America, Iowa Western Community College, Points of Light, the Arc of the United States, Tennessee State University, and Service for Peace. In addition to these grantees, more than 30 other organizations are strategic partners, including AARP, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, City Year, United Way of America, and YouthBuild USA. >> Sample projects are highlighted below. More information, including details about local service opportunities, is available at mlkday.gov . >> >> Atlanta, Ga.: Covenant House Georgia's AmeriCorps (CHGA) team members will clean the grounds of CHGA and their shelter and facilities. Project activities will include outdoor clean-up of leaves and trash, indoor clean-up of shelter, and clean-up of sheds and storage space. >> >> Boston, Mass.: In partnership with ServiceWorks AmeriCorps VISTA members, Boston Cares will engage 650 volunteers to create Reading Success Kits for Boston public elementary schools. Each toolkit will include a small bookshelf, grade-specific books, literacy games, hand-made picture books, and classroom sets of literacy flashcards and reading journals. >> >> Birmingham, Ala.: The Alabama Environmental Council (AEC), through HandsOn Birmingham, will engage a team of volunteers in a clean-up of roadways, railways, and sites. Volunteers will participate in various activities including installing donor tiles, and trash pick-up around railroad tracks at the organization's new recycle center in Avondale. >> >> Chicago, Ill.: City Year Chicago AmeriCorps members will join hundreds of volunteers to transform and beautify Thomas Kelly High School and Brighton Park Elementary School with murals, painting, and construction projects. Additionally, ServiceWorks, a CNCS partnership with Points of Light and the Citi Foundation, will host a presentation on homelessness and engage volunteers in developing homeless kits for the community. >> >> Dallas, Texas: In preparation for the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance Point in Time Homeless Count on January 21, CitySquare AmeriCorps members will prepare project materials and package snack packs and hygiene kits to be given out during the count. >> >> Detroit, Mich.: The AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program will work with community volunteers to create safer pathways to school by securing 25 vacant properties on student walking routes to Pulaski Elementary and Osborn High Schools. Additionally, EcoWorks will lead volunteers of all ages in gathering and distributing cold weather items to those in need around the Cass Corridor. >> >> Lafayette, La.: AmeriCorps Director Bill Basl will join Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, U.S. Congressman Charles Boustany, Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux, Volunteer Louisiana Executive Director Judd Jeansonne, and AmeriCorps members and alums serving with Rebuilding Together to repair homes for homeowners in need. >> >> Lawton, Okla.: City of Lawton Senior Corps RSVP volunteers will participate in several events across the city including the collection of new and gently used children's books for donation to the students and library of Lincoln Elementary School; the collection of clothing items for infants, toddlers, children and women for two Comanche Nation shelters and the Armed Services YMCA Soldiers Closet. >> >> Los Angeles, Calif.: AmeriCorps Hope for the Homeless will work with the homeless community in and around Skid Row, distributing clothing, hygiene products and food, as well as referring veterans at the event to those working with the Veterans Resource Corps. >> >> New York, N.Y.: Habitat for Humanity New York City will host its 17th Annual Building on the Dream: MLK Weekend of Service. Volunteers will revitalize and beautify local community centers, and renovate homes for two families. >> >> Norfolk, Va.: Virginia Veterans Corps AmeriCorps members will serve at the Union Mission Ministries to process clothing donations to prepare them for shelters, community assistance, and thrift stores. >> >> Philadelphia, Pa.: The Greater Philadelphia region is expecting a record 140,000 volunteers in 1,800 community service projects on MLK Day. Senator Bob Casey, former Senator Harris Wofford, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney will join volunteers at Girard College to sort business clothes to be donated to help low-income and unemployed individuals seeking employment. >> >> Salt Lake City, Utah: The YMCA of Northern Utah will serve donated food to the homeless on MLK Day when a lot of homeless people are limited to where they can go to receive food on a federal holiday. >> >> Seattle, Wash.: The United Way of King County will serve at the Colman Park Trail removing invasive plants, renovating the trail with new gravel, trail clearing, and cleaning around drains and gardening in the Heart Bed. >> >> Sioux City, Iowa: Morningside College will engage volunteers in making fleece tie blankets that will be donated to Support Siouxland Soldiers and homeless shelters in Sioux City. >> >> South Miami, Fla.: Branches South Miami will host the 4th Annual SoMi Lights MLK Day. More than 100 AmeriCorps members and volunteers will spend the day beautifying South Dade through painting, planting, and performing arts projects. >> >> Washington, D.C.: The Student Conservation Association (SCA), an AmeriCorps grantee, will engage 500 volunteers in river clean-up removing trash and debris at Anacostia Park. Also, the George Washington University will lead service projects to clean and organize the Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center. >> >> This MLK Day marks the first year CNCS will partner with Snapchat to curate MLK Day stories in Atlanta, Ga.; Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Iowa; Los Angeles, Calif.; New Hampshire; and New York, N.Y. Snapchat and CNCS are encouraging nearly one million volunteers, grantees, and AmeriCorps members serving on the day of service to show how they are giving back and the importance of making Monday ?a day on, not a day off.? Snapchat users can follow nationalservice on Snapchat as the official account of the MLK Day of Service. >> ### >> >> The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov . >> >> LinkedIn >> Print >> Gmail >> Favorites >> Google Bookmark >> Pinterest >> Tumblr >> More... (270) >> >> AddThis > > > Darian Smith > President, National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division > > Web: www.nfbcommunityservice.org > > Twitter: @NFBCSDivision, at goldengateace > > Facebook: search for ?National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division" > > E-mail: president at nfbcommunityservice.org > > (415)215-9809 > > > > The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the > characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the > expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles > between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; > blindness is not what holds you back. > ?We need your service, right now, at this moment - our moment - in history. I'm not going to tell you what your role should be; that's for you to discover. But I am going to ask you to play your part; ask you to stand up; ask you to put your foot firmly into the current of history? ? Barack Obama > Help drive change for the blind . > Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today! > For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call 1-855-659-9314 > ? > > _______________________________________________ > Community-service mailing list > Community-service at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-service: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/dsmithnfb%40gmail.com Darian Smith President, National Federation of the Blind of California, Community Service Division. dsmithnfb at gmail.com (415)215-9809 Personal Twitter: @goldengateace NFBC: @nfbca and NFB: @nfb_Voice > The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the > characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the > expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles > between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; > blindness is not what holds you back > > ? A good Head and a good heart are always a formidable combination? - Nelson Mandela. > Vehicle Donations Take the Blind Further > Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today! For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call 1-855-659-9314 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Gov_Bubble_20px-e8e8dd9fd4810bb5fb46e9fdd777a085.png Type: image/png Size: 3497 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: powered_by-be1cf98b95e53314edf62175570cb68c.png Type: image/png Size: 54137 bytes Desc: not available URL: From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Sun Jan 17 00:10:26 2016 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 16:10:26 -0800 Subject: [Cacommunity-service] {Disarmed} Newsletter, Fall 2015 | National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division Message-ID: <809B2F2C-6AFA-496E-87C3-BB3896908137@gmail.com> Hey all, Just wanted to share the following with all of you. feel free to check it out and give feedback as you see fit. > > http://nfbcommunityservice.org/newsletter_fall_2015 > > Skip to main content > National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division?Let's Get Involved!? National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division Let's Get Involved! > Main menuHome > About > Contact Us > Blog > Newsletter > Events > Resources > > Subscribe to Our Blog! > Please enter your email: > > > > Follow National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division on: > Facebook > > Twitter > > You are hereHome <>Newsletter, Fall 2015 > National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division > > Darian Smith, President > Newsletter: Fall 2015 > Hindley Williams, Editor > To give us feedback on this publication, suggest articles to be featured in future issues, or for any pertinent questions, please email us at newsletter at nfbcommunityservice.org > Letter From the President > Note from the Editor: Darian Smith is the president of the Community Service Division. In this letter, he describes the extensive accomplishments of this new and proud division of the NFB. > > Dear Fellow Federationists, > > The National Federation of the Blind is celebrating 75 years of raising expectations of blind people, and the Community Service Division is, naturally, doing its part to support the work and celebrate the collective realization of our dreams thus far. > > Our division started as an interest group back in 2011 with a handful of committed leaders coming together to dream what could be when we focus our minds and share our experiences. > > Four years later, we've seen the culmination of our efforts to organize this new division come to fruition and are proud to be counted among the number of divisions changing what it means to be blind for all of the nation. > > Thanks to the work of our leadership this year, we've seen the growth of our blog, a medium through which we communicate real, true stories of blind people showing in action that they are not the "takers" society might perceive us to be. > > We've also seen the establishment of new committees, such as "publications," "partnerships," "fund-raising," and "social media". > > We are glad to see our numbers grow on our Facebook and twitter platforms, as more people will come to know of our division and how community service can paint a picture of blindness not being the characteristic that defines us and what we choose to do with our lives. > > I truly hope that you find energy in the words, empowerment in the actions, and a drive to not only serve your community and change perceptions of blindness by these great stories, but that you take an opportunity to learn about the Community Service Division and come to know and understand who we are in the National Federation of the Blind. > > We are creative, courageous, loving, inclusive, and familial in all that we are and all that we do. > > On a personal note, I want to take a moment to recognize in this, our first of hopefully many newsletters to come, the wonderful and indescribable amount of love, energy, and enthusiasm that has come from every person who's given of their time, talent and treasure to build the foundation of this Division, because what we see today would not be possible without them- Thank you so much! > > We look forward to seeing most of you in Orlando in July at our national convention. Until then, let's continue to seek out ways to expand and increase true opportunity for the blind, let's continue to serve in our communities, and let's get involved! > Darian Smith > President, National Federation of the Blind, Community Service Division > > 75 Days of Service > > by Libra Robinson > Note from the Editor: Libra Robinson is the president of the D.C. Community Service Division, and played a critical role in planning and executing the 75 Days of Service Campaign. Here are her reflections on the campaign halfway through the 75-day period. > > The 75 Days of Service Campaign is a project intended to encourage members of the Federation and their families and friends to volunteer in and around their communities. From there, we encourage people to share their service experiences or to ask questions via the Community Service Division's Facebook group, the division's blog, bi-weekly conference calls held throughout the campaign, and to Tweet using the hashtag #NFB75Serve. The name of this campaign reflects the 75th anniversary of the existence of the National Federation of the Blind. > > We have had three conference calls, and it seems that our fellow Federationists are really geared up about this project. On our first call, we had the pleasure of hearing from our national President, Mark Riccobono, who shared his thoughts and ideas on how to volunteer in our communities. In addition, we have had chapter members from different states share ideas and ways they have volunteered or are going to volunteer on all three of the calls. Together, we brainstormed ideas on how to create hands-on service projects. I personally am very excited and can't wait to read the many blog posts about the different ways people have chosen to serve during this campaign, and I know that the two remaining conference calls will be filled with many new ideas and enthusiasm. > > If you have not as of yet volunteered or created a service project, you still have time! This campaign lasts from April 12 through June 26. I encourage everyone to get involved and share with others about The 75 Days of Service Campaign! > > The Importance of Volunteerism > > by Mary Jo Partyka > Note from the Editor: Mary Jo is a devoted member of the division's Publications Committee. She has been serving for many years, and in this article, she shares her experience with a particular service organization. To read more stories about blind individuals serving in their communities like Mary Jo, check out our blog . > > Although I was employed for 35 years, it is important to me that I am an active and involved member of my community. After college, I saw a newspaper article about a training class for a 24-hour crisis-intervention program hotline and figured, why not? > > The organization, called Contact, serves people all over the United States and the world. Many of our callers have serious mental health concerns including alcoholism, difficulties with family members, depression, and suicidal thoughts. In order to prepare myself for talking to callers, Contact required me to attend a training, where I learned from guest speakers, practiced active listening, and worked through simulated phone calls. Although I have a degree in counseling, the experiences I had during and after the training had more of an impact on me than anything I had learned in college. > > The calls I have received over the years are often from people in great pain, and they share with me what they are feeling. I have received calls from friends and family members of people who are threatening to commit suicide. There are times when the potential suicide victims themselves call me and, in many cases, these callers are individuals who feel trapped. Other times, calls are not as immediate, but stem from a place of deep sadness. > > Being involved as a blind person in this organization has never been an issue for me. After rejoining Contact in 2013 after a 30-year hiatus, I found that members of this organization continued to be committed to helping people, and that recent changes in the technology used by the organization have allowed me to be a more independent volunteer as I log calls into the computer rather than the printed forms from years past. Contact has been very accepting of me and my capabilities, and the volunteers I work alongside understand that I have much to contribute to the cause, just like they do. > > This kind of volunteerism keeps me on my toes, but I'm committed to it. I have been asked to be a group leader for several training sessions. I was also elected chairperson of the board of directors. I'm always ready to learn and grow. > > You may be wondering why I decide to spend 20 hours a month answering calls from people who are unhappy. I want people to know that they are valued, and I believe that, in helping other people with certain parts of their personal lives, I am helping the people in the community. Although I have never been in their positions, I want to provide them with sufficient information so they will know what to do to help their friend, relative, or themselves. > > I am just one person, and although I do my best, I don't have all the answers. But providing help to people in pain or crisis makes me realize how important our service is here at Contact and how much it is needed. > > Let's Get Involved: The American Red Cross > > By Michele Mitchell > Note from the Editor: Michele Mitchell is a co-chair of the division's Publications Committee. In the below article, she encourages individuals to get involved in one of the most active and well-known service organizations in the world. > > Today, we generally think of The Red Cross as being a disaster relief organization, but it did not start that way. The Red Cross is the world's largest volunteer network, and has a variety of services that it provides. The founder, Henry Dunant, wanted to create an organization which protected the sick and wounded during wartime regardless of nationality and allowed national organizations to provide aid on a neutral basis. Dunant's organization adopted the symbol of a red cross on a white background, which is now an internationally recognized symbol of relief and neutrality in wartime. > > The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, who got her start in service during the Civil War, collecting and distributing supplies to the troops and providing personal comfort to soldiers in the field as well as their families at home. During a post-war visit to Europe, Barton was introduced to the global Red Cross network and took part in some of their relief activities. Upon her return to the U.S., Barton succeeded in procuring U.S. membership in the global Red Cross network in 1882. At this point, the United States was no longer at war, so The American Red Cross primarily provided disaster relief during its first 20 years, distributing aid and supplies to victims of fires, floods, famine, and countless other catastrophes both in the United States and abroad. This expansion of Red Cross services caught on globally, and in 1884, aiding victims of natural disasters was noted as one of the primary functions of The Red Cross worldwide. > > Today, the organization continues its traditional commitment to the American Armed Forces, with service now expanded to include veterans, reserves, the National Guard, and military families. In addition, The Red Cross provides food, clothing, shelter, and medical care to victims of disasters ranging from single family home fires to earthquakes that devastate entire regions. Services also include Health and safety classes, such as first aid and CPR, swimming and water safety, disaster preparedness and emergency prevention, and even child care. > > The Red Cross is a service organization that serves many purposes, inviting people who come from all backgrounds and skill levels to join the cause. Visit their Web site or call to get involved in your area. > > Tags: > Newsletter > > 0 > > inShare <> > Monthly archive > January 2016 (1) > December 2015 (1) > October 2015 (1) > May 2015 (2) > January 2015 (3) > December 2014 (4) > November 2014 (2) > October 2014 (2) > August 2014 (1) > April 2012 (2) > February 2012 (1) > January 2012 (1) > March 2011 (1) > February 2011 (2) > ? 2015 National Federation of the Blind Community Service division > > Darian Smith President, National Federation of the Blind of California, Community Service Division. dsmithnfb at gmail.com (415)215-9809 Personal Twitter: @goldengateace NFBC: @nfbca and NFB: @nfb_Voice > The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the > characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the > expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles > between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; > blindness is not what holds you back > > ? A good Head and a good heart are always a formidable combination? - Nelson Mandela. > Vehicle Donations Take the Blind Further > Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today! For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call 1-855-659-9314 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: logo.png Type: image/png Size: 5116 bytes Desc: not available URL: