Lt. Governor Bell Announces New Federal Report Ranking

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Salt Lake City - Lt. Governor Greg Bell, the Utah Commission on Volunteers and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announce the 2012 Volunteering and Civic Life in America (VCLA) report ranking Utah as the #1 volunteering state in the nation for the 7th year running.

 

Volunteers in Utah demonstrated their commitment to improving their communities in a variety of ways last year and again earned the #1 ranking among the 50 states, according to the Volunteering and Civic Life in America (VCLA) report released yesterday.  More than 837,000 volunteers served approximately 144 million total hours, which is the equivalent of over 69,000 full-time employees.

 

“Involved citizens do so much to make our communities stronger,” said Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell, who chairs the Utah Commission on Volunteers.  “People here in Utah take pride in helping their neighbors and dedicating their time to address critical issues.  Our residents are committed to strengthening our state and our nation through service to others.”

 

The VCLA data is part of the most comprehensive study of volunteering and civic engagement across the country. The annual report is issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) as part of its efforts to expand the reach and impact of America’s volunteers, in partnership with the National Council on Citizenship, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau for Labor Statistics.

 

“This report quantifies what we already know about Utahns—that they are passionate about reaching out to their neighbors and in their communities,” said LaDawn Stoddard, Executive Director with the Utah Commission on Volunteers. “Finding ways to help others is ingrained in our culture and I hope Utahns will continue to dedicate themselves to this high level of service.”

 

Research from the VCLA 2012 report ranks Utah as the #1 volunteering state in the nation with 40.9% of adults volunteering. This volunteering rate is significantly above the national average of 26.8%. In addition to being ranked the #1 volunteering state in the nation, Utah ranked #1 in nine other categories.

 

The spirit of Utah's volunteerism is exemplified in individual cities also.  As well as ranking first among all 50 states, the report also ranks the nation’s largest cities and metropolitan areas for their volunteering and civic engagement rates. The city of Provo leads the nation with the highest volunteer rate in the country at 58.5%.  Ogden ranked 2nd overall and Salt Lake City ranked 4^th in the metropolitan cities category.  The complete report can be accessed at VolunteeringInAmerica.gov

 

 “All told, the total estimated economic value of volunteer service in Utah was about $3.7 billion based on the Independent Sector’s annual estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour, which was $21.79 in 2011,” said Spencer Eccles, Governor’s Office of Economic Development Executive Director. “Although the last few years have been a time of economic hardship, volunteering in Utah continues to be strong, providing positive tangible and intangible economic benefits.  The effects on both our state and individuals should not be underestimated.”

 

As volunteers fill critical voids in their community’s infrastructure, state and local leaders increasingly recognize the key role they play in addressing economic and social challenges at this time of fiscal constraint.  Governors work through state service commissions and local organizations to promote volunteerism and other resources to meet a range of state needs.

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About the VCLA Report

The Volunteering and Civic Life In America report is a joint effort of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the National Conference on Citizenship, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau for Labor Statistics to collect volunteering data annually through the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS is a monthly survey of about 60,000 households, (approximately 100,000 adults) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Selected supplements collect data on the volunteering and civic activities of Americans age 16 and older for volunteering and 18 and older for the civic supplement. Volunteers are considered individuals who performed unpaid volunteer activities through or for an organization.  The report includes information for all 50 states, Washington, D.C., more than 50 major metropolitan areas, and more than 140 other cities.  Complete report available at VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.

Executive Director Appointed for the Utah Commission on Volunteers

[Salt Lake City] – Lt. Governor Greg Bell, Chair of the Commission on Volunteers and the Department of Heritage and Arts announced today the appointment of LaDawn W. Stoddard as Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers.

"With her extensive experience, deep commitment and understanding of the complexities of National Service initiatives and volunteerism, LaDawn Stoddard is truly an asset to the State of Utah and the Commission on Volunteers," said Utah Lt. Governor Greg Bell.

Stoddard will be responsible for the day to day operations of the Utah Commission on Volunteers and, together with the governor-appointed Commission comprised of individuals representing all sectors of Utah, will help to set vision and strategy for accomplishing the Commission’s purposes.

 With a background in finance, Stoddard began working for the Commission in 2004 as the Grants Officer and then went on to fill the role of Development Director.  In 2007 she became the Utah State National Service program manager, working closely with numerous community organizations across the state and has recently served as the interim executive director.  She has served on numerous boards and volunteers committees at both the national and local level and has been personally engaged in volunteering from a very young age. 

As a resident of Wasatch County, she has a profound appreciation for the varied landscape in Utah, but finds her greatest appreciation for the state in its spirit of volunteerism. “Volunteers provide a valuable resource to Utah communities through non-profit and faith-based organizations as well as local and state agencies,” Stoddard said. “I feel honored to accept this position and am excited to collaborate with those individuals and groups who are working to help make Utah a better place.”

 “LaDawn Stoddard is the clear choice for the Utah Commission on Volunteers as this organization takes on new initiatives and focus,” said Julie Fisher, Executive Director of the Department of Heritage and Arts. “Stoddard’s finance background, and National Service expertise will be instrumental in fulfilling the Commissions mission of improving communities through service and volunteering.”

Lt. Governor Bell Honors Utah’s Top Youth Volunteers

Summer of Service Youth Winners Receive Private Luncheon and Presidential Service Award

[Salt Lake City] – In recognition of receiving the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Lt. Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are honoring three outstanding youth on September 27^th, 2012 with a private luncheon held in their honor. The awardees contributed the most hours of volunteer service in their age category between June 1 and August 31 as part of the Utah Summer of Service campaign. This year hundreds of youth volunteers participated throughout the state in the program and over 10,000 hours were totaled.

Sierra, Jory Peppelaar, and Becky Payne, recorded the most service hours in their age categories over the past three months, earning both a Presidential Service Award and lunch with Lt. Governor Bell.

Sierra, age 12 from Ogden, volunteered over 400 hours at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah. As tasks were taught and assigned to Sierra, such as species identification, food preparation, weighing diets, and charting food intake, she would work diligently to master them and want to learn more. 

Jory Peppelaar, age 17 from Richfield, volunteered almost 300 hours at various events in Utah and throughout the world. Jory spent time teaching kids all over Utah with 4-H, assisting people with muscular dystrophy and even participated in humanitarian work in Cambodia.

“Simple acts of service can be the most rewarding,” Peppelaar said. “Each was a rewarding experience that I wouldn’t change for the world. Even though I took on some big projects, some of the greatest rewards were just getting to know the people I served and seeing the change I could make for a child or a community.”

Becky Payne age 24 from Roy, spent her summer volunteering over 250 hours at the Living Planet Aquarium. Some of Becky’s duties included prepping and feeding fish and other animals, keeping systems clean. This past summer Becky had the opportunity to design and construct her own system.

What started out as a curiosity about Zoology and an opportunity for networking ended up in a realization that Payne wanted to pursue a career in this line of work.

“After doing it for my first summer I fell in love with the job and the work,” Payne said.

“Volunteering is at the heart and soul of Utahns from a young age, as evidenced by these volunteers,” says Allie Dixon, Youth Engagement Chair for the Commission.  “We hope their examples serve as inspiration for all of us to increase our level of volunteerism in our local communities no matter what our age may be.”

In addition to the three top volunteers, all volunteers ages 5 to 25 who logged minimum hour requirements for their age group were honored with a Presidential Service Award and Recognition Pin.

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Utah Residents Mark 11th Anniversary of 9/11 by Serving Others

Volunteers across the state serve as part of a National Day of Service

[Salt Lake City] – The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups, who worked to establish the charitable service day as a forward-looking way to honor 9/11 victims, survivors, and others who rose up in service in response to the attacks. Individuals are encouraged to take this opportunity to honor the memory of 9/11 by joining in service projects taking place in their communities.

The Utah Commission on Volunteers is working with four organizations throughout the state to provide opportunities for Utah residents to serve on this year’s 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. “In commemoration of this event, Utahns across the state and people throughout the country will be serving in the week leading up to and culminating on September 11, 2012,” said LaDawn Stoddard at the Utah Commission on Volunteers.  “There are so many activities taking place throughout the state, and so many opportunities, that everyone can participate on some level.”

To learn more about participating in a variety of projects and events in commemoration of 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, please visit volunteers.utah.gov. 

For interview and photo opportunities, please contact:

·               Sherilee Griffiths, Cache Valley Volunteer Center, 435-770-0748 or 435-753-1745

·               Gail Jesson, Salt Lake Community College Thayne Center, 801-957-4689

·               Mike Moon, Weber State Community Involvement Center, 801-626-7737

·               Summer Valente, United Way of Utah County, 801-374-2588

 

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Availability of AmeriCorps State Funding for FY2013-2014

(Salt Lake City) The Utah Commission on Volunteers announces the availability of AmeriCorps State funding for Program Year 2013 – 2014 to eligible organizations in Utah. The purpose of these grants is to establish AmeriCorps programs in local communities focusing on needs in the key objective areas of education, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, veterans, economic opportunity, and disaster services.

AmeriCorps is a national service network that provides full- and less than full-time opportunities for participants, to serve their communities and build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to meet local environmental, educational, public safety, homeland security, or other human needs. Within these issue areas, programs may submit proposals that address specific problems of local communities. Program operation for this funding cycle will begin in fall 2013.

The application process will be explained in detail in mandatory AmeriCorps Funding Technical Assistance Meetings. Those interested in applying must attend one meeting held September 25-October 5 at locations throughout the state. For more information about meeting locations and dates, please visit www.volunteers.utah.gov.

In order to maximize the impact of the investment in national service in Utah, the Commission on Volunteers is seeking to fund programs that can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems through an evidence-based approach (e.g. performance data, research, theory of change).

 “AmeriCorps programs are improving the lives of citizens and making a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our state,” said LaDawn Stoddard, at the Utah Commission on Volunteers. “AmeriCorps members and the volunteers they manage are an indispensable resource to nonprofit and government leaders at a time of social need and fiscal constraint.”

The national public/private partnership supporting AmeriCorps is the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). CNCS receives AmeriCorps program funding from Congress and awards funding to state service commissions and organizations, such as the Utah Commission on Volunteers, to grant and oversee AmeriCorps programs in their state.

For additional information or technical assistance regarding this Notice of Funding Availability, please contact LaDawn Stoddard at ldstoddard@utah.gov or 801-715-6716.

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Utah Commission on Volunteers Awards 5 AmeriCorps Grants Totaling $1.39 million to Local Organizations to Address Vital Community Needs

(Salt Lake City) The Utah Commission on Volunteers announced today that five organizations in Utah have been awarded $1.39 million in AmeriCorps grants to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Utah communities. 

 

These grants make a focused investment in four of the priority areas laid out in the bipartisan Serve America Act and three of the priority areas for the State of Utah: education, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and healthy futures. The grants help to carry out the vision of the Commission’s 2010-2013 Strategic State Plan, targeting resources on a core set of critical problems and focusing on greater impact through use of standardized performance measures to evaluate success.

 

 “AmeriCorps members are helping tackle our communities’ toughest issues and strengthening the impact of local organizations,” said LaDawn Stoddard, Program Manager at the Utah Commission on Volunteers.  “At a time of great human need with growing social and economic challenges, national service is a critical and cost effective approach that engages citizens in solving problems in their own communities.”

 

This year's AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive due to the growing demand by organizations seeking AmeriCorps resources and the significant funding cuts at the national level. Nationally a record-breaking 582,000 AmeriCorps applications were received in 2011, a dramatic increase from the 360,000 seen in 2009.   The Utah Formula grant competition was also very competitive with over $4.4 million in funding requests and $1.39 million available.  In the end, only the most exceptional proposals were funded.

 

 The grants will go to local nonprofit, community and educational organizations and will support 1,037 AmeriCorps members who will serve across the state. Below are the organizations receiving funds in the 2012 competition:

 

EDUCATION

·         The Utah AmeriCorps Literacy Initiative - $750,000

·         Utah Campus Compact AmeriCorps Education Award Program - $150,000

 

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP/ENERGY

·         The Utah Conservation Corps Program - $232,286

 

 Economic Opportunity

·         The AmeriCorps Alleviating Homelessness Program - $133,000

 

Healthy Futures

·         AmeriCorps and the Medically Underserved - $133,000

 

The grants announced today will implement Serve America Act program changes to increase AmeriCorps' impact, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Among those are standardized national performance measures that will allow for aggregated impact reporting on how AmeriCorps is addressing community issues, increasing the focus on outcomes and performance. They will also continue emphasis on expanding capacity by recruiting and managing volunteers for their programs.

 

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in intensive, results-driven service to meet critical community needs. AmeriCorps works through existing organizations and helps them reach more people and better achieve their mission. In 2010 Utah AmeriCorps members mobilized more than 31,000 volunteers who provided over 308,000 hours of service with an estimated economic value of $5.5 million.

 

In the past 17 years, nationally more than 700,000 men and women have served as AmeriCorps members, providing more than 860 million hours of service. AmeriCorps members have served with more than 14,000 nonprofit, faith-based, and community groups each year helping them expand their reach and better meet their mission.

  

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Youth across the state are encouraged to spend this summer volunteering

Summer of Service 2012
Youth across the state are encouraged to spend this summer volunteering

SALT LAKE CITY- This summer, the Utah Commission on Volunteers is calling on Utah youth across the state to support their local communities through service. We are excited to be kicking off our 2012 Summer of Service campaign – YOU changing the world…One day, One week, One SUMMER at a time.

Summer of Service is a statewide initiative that encourages and mobilizes youth to make a difference in their communities by volunteering over the summer. Youth simply sign up to participate, volunteer their time, log their hours online, and can qualify to win a Presidential Service Award signed by the President of the United States. The individual in each age group that logs the most hours of service from June 1 through August 31, 2012 will win lunch with Utah’s Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell in September.

Between 2008 and 2010, the average national volunteer rate for young adults was 21.9% per year. During that same time frame, the average rate for young adults in Utah was 39.9%, ranking Utah first in the nation for young adult volunteering. The summer season is a great time for youth to continue this tradition of volunteering and make a difference in their communities.  

“I am proud to live in a state that places such an emphasis on volunteering”, said Lt. Governor Greg Bell, “Summer of Service provides a way for youth to be recognized for the impact they make in our communities”.

To register and begin logging hours please visit www.volunteers.utah.gov and click on the Summer of Service box.

For more information, contact Amanda McDonald 801-715-6717

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2012 Lt. Governor’s Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet

2012 Lt. Governor’s Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet
Judge Valdez to keynote event honoring 11 state volunteer award winners, including the Sister of St. Benedict

 SALT LAKE CITY- Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers will present eleven State Volunteer Service Awards and celebrate volunteer efforts throughout the state at the Lieutenant Governor’s Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet on April 25 at the Davis Conference Center. These awards, presented annually as part of the Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service, celebrate the extraordinary volunteer efforts of Utahns across the state.

The two most prestigious awards being the Lt. Governor’s Civic Volunteer of the Year Award and the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2012 Lt. Governor’s Civic Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Lennie Don Porter, former Escalante City Mayor and long-time volunteer firefighter. Mr. Porter has met many needs in his community, through his involvement in civic affairs as well as in his capacity as a first-responder.

The 2012 Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to The Sister of the Order of St. Benedict. Sixty- six years ago, compassion for the sick and suffering brought the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict to Ogden for the purpose of founding a hospital. When the hospital was sold, it brought an end to their sponsorship in the hospital, but the sisters were undeterred and their volunteer efforts have grown exponentially since then.

 “These honorees are a powerful force for good in our communities,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “They are a shining example of the transformative power of service on those who serve as well as the communities around them.”

The Commission is pleased to have the banquet keynote speaker will be Judge Andrew Valdez, Third District Court Judge. Judge Valdez will be addressing the importance of volunteerism in Utah as well as in his personal life.

New to the Banquet this year is the Transforming Communities Recognition that will honor President Ann Millner and the Weber State University Community Involvement Center for their work in transforming the community in Northern Utah.

Media are encouraged to attend the evening’s activities: Private reception for honorees at 5:45pm in the Zephyr Room and the Banquet Program begins at 6:30pm in the Expo Center at Davis Conference Center.

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2012 Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service General Session

2012 Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service General Session
Tammi DeVille to keynote Conference Luncheon on Wednesday

SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Commission on Volunteers will be hosting the Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service April 25 at the Davis Conference Center. The Conference is dedicated to improving volunteer management in Utah and attendees represent the nonprofit, government, faith-based, and corporate sectors.

Lt. Governor Greg Bell will kick off the 2012 Conference on Service, April 25^th at 8:30 am.  Additional morning keynotes are Natalie Gochnour from the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce and Kaira Esgate with Reimagining Service.  Each will be speaking to the impact volunteers have in addressing community needs.

The general session day will be filled with over 30 workshops for the 600 attendees to choose from, each of which was chosen to represent the varying needs of conference attendees. Workshop topics are centered on volunteer management in Utah, the #1 state in the nation for volunteer rates.

Lt. Governor Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are pleased to announce that the 2012 luncheon keynote speaker will be Tammi DeVille, author of Changing the World on a Tuesday Night. Her book focuses on people in the United States that are making a big difference in their communities, through small acts of service. DeVille will be highlighting some of the volunteer work done in Utah during her address and is scheduled to speak at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 25.

 “In keeping with the 2012 Conference on Service theme, Volunteerism: Changing Communities, we are thrilled to have a keynote that can speak to directly to the impact the volunteering has,” said Susan Hayward, Community Outreach Manager with the Utah Commission of Volunteers. “Tammi is uniquely able to highlight volunteer efforts in Utah, as well as those in her book, in a way that will appeal to all of our attendees.”

Media are encouraged to attend any of the conference’s events.  For more information, contact LaDawn Stoddard 801-815-3251

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The Commission on Volunteers Invites Youth to Participate in Utah’s 2012 Global Youth Service Day

The Commission on Volunteers Invites Youth to Participate in Utah’s 2012 Global Youth Service Day

Salt Lake City – From April 20-22, 2012, the Utah Commission on Volunteers will join with youth organizations throughout the state to encourage youth to participate in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD).

Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world and the only day of service dedicated to children and youth. It is an annual campaign to mobilize millions of children and youth globally and locally to improve their communities through service and volunteering.

“Engaging youth in volunteering creates a foundation of service that lasts a lifetime,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “If we can get our young people to serve in their the communities now, Utah will continue to be a state filled with kind, charitable individuals prepared to serve and help others, well into the future.”

In 2011, there were over 38 service projects from Utah registered on the Global Youth Service Day website, www.gysd.org, which involved almost 1,500 youth. This year, the Utah Commission on Volunteers hopes to see an increase in those numbers. One of the participating organizations this year is The Utah Federation for Youth. Their service projects this year include Columbus Center After School youth participants painting murals at the Senior Citizen Center in South Salt Lake, SSL Youth City Council planting trees at Fitts Park, the Academy for Math Engineering, and Science hosting a dental care benefit event for low-income populations, and youth in South Salt Lake translating emergency informational materials from the Fire Department into other languages.

“Service should be the base of humanity. We all should be looking for what we can do for others, projects large and small are of equal importance and this experience for the youth is great," said DeBee Stidham, Utah Federation for Youth representative. “Involving youth in service through Global Youth Service Day, can be the start of something that will grow to become part of their lives.”

Planning is underway for youth-led projects that address challenging local, national and global issues such as environmental conservation, childhood hunger and civil rights. Examples of local projects planned for Global Youth Service Day 2012 include:

The Living Planet Aquarium: The Living Planet Aquarium has planned four unique service events that will be held April 20^th  to 22nd that center on environmental cleanup and restoration. Projects will take place at the Jordan River, Wasatch Hollow, the Living Planet Aquarium and Hidden Hollow and hundreds of youth are expected to be involved. Contact Melissa @ (801) 495-4888 for more information.

Real Life in Salt Lake City: At Real Life in SLC, an afterschool youth mentoring program designed to help refugee youth become acculturated to life in Salt Lake City by forming friendships with Utah youth of the same age, refugee youth will assemble backpacks and write letters to new refugee youth that will be arriving in Salt Lake City in 2012. Contact Julia @ (801) 467-4417 for more information regarding this April 20th GYSD project.

Service to the World: Held on Saturday, April 21st from 11-2 PM at the BYU Wilkinson Student Center, Service to the World will be working with youth on projects that will ultimately be sent to a schools in Uganda. Projects include file folder games that teach colors, arithmetic, multiplication, division, shapes (lots of coloring), hand puppets, hygiene kits, blankets, hats, nutrition posters, and public health education posters and books. Contact Martina @ (801) 857-5969 for more information.

 To learn more about Utah’s 2012 Global Youth Service Dayvisit www.volunteers.utah.gov or contact Amanda McDonald, Utah Commission on Volunteers Program Specialist at 801.715.6717. For more information on Global Youth Service Day, visit www.gysd.org.

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2012 Commission on Volunteers Award Winners Announced Judge Valdez to keynote event honoring 10 state volunteer award winners .

2012 Commission on Volunteers Award Winners Announced Judge Valdez to keynote event honoring 10 state volunteer award winners .

SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Commission on Volunteers have announced the recipients of the 2012 State Volunteer Recognition Awards:

• The Sisters of St. Benedict, Governor’s Lifetime Achievement
• Lennie Don Porter, Lt. Governor’s Civic Volunteer of the Year
• Vivint, Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year
• Draper Parks & Trails, Government Volunteer Program of the Year
• The Happy Factory, Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year
• Brianna Toone, AmeriCorps Member of the Year
• Michele Nicks, AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year
• Bobbie Maberry, Encore Volunteer of the Year
• Michelle Groncki, Adult Volunteer of the Year
• Steven Darrel Olsen, Youth Volunteer of the Year

The 10 state award winners will be honored April 25 at the 2012 Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet. The banquet is the culminating event of the Lieutenant Governor’s Conference on Service and will honor and recognize the achievements of some of the most outstanding volunteers and volunteer programs in Utah.

The Utah Commission on Volunteers is pleased to announce that the 2012 banquet keynote speaker will be Judge Andrew A Valdez, Third District Juvenile Court Judge in Salt Lake City. Judge Valdez will be addressing the importance of volunteerism in Utah as well as in his personal life. Valdez is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 25.

 
“The 2012 state volunteer award winners showcase some of the inspiring volunteer work taking place in Utah” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “These award winners are a powerful force for good in the community and I am pleased to honor them.”

In addition to the 10 state volunteer award winners, Ann Millner & the Weber State University Community Involvement Center will be honored with the Transforming Communities Recognition for their work in Northern Utah.

Media are encouraged to attend any of the Conference on Service and Volunteer Recognition & Awards Banquet events. For more information, contact Geoffrey Fattah at (801) 386-4755.

AmeriCorps Week Spotlights How AmeriCorps Works in Utah

AmeriCorps Week Spotlights How AmeriCorps Works in Utah

Lieutenant Governor Bell Thanks Utahns for their service during AmeriCorps Week

(Salt Lake City) Every day in communities across the nation, AmeriCorps members are improving schools, rebuilding after disasters, providing health services, preserving the environment, fighting poverty, and meeting other local needs. Utah is no exception, with over 400 members currently serving to meet the needs in communities throughout the state. From increasing high school graduation rates and grade level reading proficiencies to mentoring at-risk youth and restoring public lands, these everyday AmeriCorps heroes are strengthening Utah communities as they transform their own lives.

This week (March 10^th – 18^st) is national AmeriCorps Week and people all across Utah are thanking the AmeriCorps members who work quietly and without fanfare across the state to improve the lives of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens. The theme for 2012, AmeriCorps Works, communicates the value and effectiveness and helps conveys the AmeriCorps triple bottom line return on investment -- for the recipients of service, the people who serve, and the larger community and nation.

 Because of AmeriCorps members over 12,464 youth are receiving tutoring in math and reading, over 5,760 acres of habitat were restored on public lands, and nearly 25,000 people were assisted with health care related issues. AmeriCorps members are also tasked with bringing community volunteers into the organizations in which they serve and in 2011, AmeriCorps members across Utah recruited and trained over 31,000 community volunteers who served over 308,000 hours. These recruited volunteers bring an estimated $5.5 million dollars worth of service into Utah’s economy.

“We are grateful for the work of AmeriCorps members in Utah,” said Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell. “Their service is a model for how government and local community organizations can partner for success.”

 In 2011, the Commission was awarded $3.4 million in federal grant funding that was passed through to 13 State AmeriCorps Programs. These programs matched the federal dollars with over $6.6 million. In exchange for a year of full-time service, members earn an education award equal to the maximum amount of the Pell Grant that can be used to pay for educational expenses at qualified institutions of higher education, or to pay back qualified student loans. Awards are pro-rated for part-time service. Some members also receive a living allowance and health care.

 

“AmeriCorps Weeks is an opportunity to trumpet the impact of AmeriCorps service to transform lives and communities. In this time of fiscal constraint, AmeriCorps is a highly cost effective and impactful program.” said LaDawn Stoddard, Acting Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers.

 
The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. It furthers its mission by promoting community collaboration, volunteer recognition, youth and older adult service and administering federally funded AmeriCorps and National Service programs. The Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service, State Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet, Summer of Service, and the statewide volunteer matching website, www.volunteers.utah.gov, are also premiere programs of the Utah Commission on Volunteers. For more information, visit www.volunteers.utah.gov or call 1-888-755-UTAH.

 

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Utah Residents Mark the Beginning of a Year of Service on MLK Day

Volunteers across the state serve as part of a National Day of Service
 
[Salt Lake City] – The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16, marks the beginning of the 2012 year of service as millions of Americans honor the memory of Dr. King by contributing their time, talent, voice and money to improve their communities.
 

The Utah Commission on Volunteers and the Corporation for National and Community Service are encouraging local residents to join the hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country in making the holiday “a day on, not a day off”, by serving others.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. committed his life to service and to ensuring that all people are treated with respect and fairness,” said LaDawn Stoddard, Acting Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers.  “By serving today and throughout the year, we honor Dr. King and help realize his dream of equality and opportunity for all.”

The Utah Commission on Volunteers is working with seven volunteer connector organizations this January to provide opportunities for Utah residents to serve on this year’s MLK Day.

 

MLK Day Activities will be held between Jan 14^th and Jan 24^th

 

The Cache Valley Volunteer Center and the Utah State University PALs mentoring program will be hosting an “I Have a Dream” reception for at-risk youth in local mentoring programs and students at in the Logan School District will be invited to submit their “I Have a Dream” service project idea based on something they would like to see improved at their school.

 

Volunteers for the Thayne Learning and Service Center at Salt Lake Community College will participate in one of several projects that will include sorting through food donations, assembling food boxes distributed to low-income seniors in the Salt Lake Valley and mobile food boxes distributed to rural parts of the state of Utah. The projects will take place January 16, 2012, 9:00am- 12:00pm.

 

United Way of Northern Utah will partner with Ogden City schools to sponsor an essay contest for 5^th graders to complement the core requirement for a five paragraph essay on a US History subject. The topic will highlight a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.. Winners will be published in a publication of Martin Luther King quotes. 

 

The United Way of Salt Lake is partnering with several organizations including the Maliheh Free Clinic, where staff and volunteers will conduct volunteer awareness and recruiting events at various locations. Playworks Salt Lake City will hold a Community Night for training students and families on games they can play with kids for basic conflict resolution strategies.  

 

The Friends of Washington County Volunteer Center, through their Upward Bound program, will host a carnival for veterans and their families, including games, food and a short service by some veterans. The Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of Washington and Iron Counties will be collecting the food from the stations and packaging it to the appropriate food pantries.

 

Weber State University Community Involvement Center (CIC) will partner with National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in hosting a community breakfast and a Freedom Walk. CIC will also partner with St. Anne’s Homeless Shelter, Anything for a Friend, LINUS Project and Habitat for Humanity for various projects throughout the week.

 

The United Way of Utah County will be hosted a Community Outreach Day on January 16th. Volunteers will come to the BYU Wilkinson Center and sign up for a project between 8:30-9:30 AM, with a devotional from 9:30-10:00 AM and projects lasting until about 12 noon. There will be nearly 30 service projects that people can choose to participate in during the event.

 

To learn more about and participate in these MLK Day activities please visit volunteers.utah.gov.

 

The Corporation for National and Community Service, in partnership with State Service Commissions, sponsors annual MLK Day of Service projects, through local nonprofits. Projects are taking place in all fifty states and include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, reading to children, promoting nonviolence, and more. 

 
The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteerism. For more information visit our website www.volunteers.utah.gov

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