http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog en jpace@crt.state.la.us Copyright 2012 2012-02-03T22:29:59+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/citizen-service-before-self-honors-deadline-february-10/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/citizen-service-before-self-honors-deadline-february-10/#When:22:29:59Z Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is urging nominations for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors, which recognizes those ordinary Americans who become extraordinary through their indomitable courage and selflessness. This prestigious award is hosted by The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. Citizen Service Before Self Honors are uniquely meaningful, because they are presented to ordinary citizens who have demonstrated uncommon values through service to others.  These awards are presented by the nation’s most honored heroes—recipients of the Medal of Honor. Citizen Service Before Self Honorees represent the values and courage, sacrifice, and selfless service.    Individuals are encouraged to nominate any United States civilian who has clearly demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for others whether through a single act of extraordinary heroism at risk to one’s life or through a prolonged series of selfless acts. The nominee’s actions must epitomize the concept of “service before self” and must be performed “above and beyond” one’s professional area of responsibility or conduct.   Citizens may submit an eligible nominee by completing the nomination form online via the Citizen Service Before Self Honors website, http://citizenservicebeforeselfhonors.org/. The nomination period ends on Friday, February 10.   A panel, to include Medal of Honor recipient representation, will consider all nominations and select national finalists. Finalists will be announced on Monday, February 27. From among those finalists, a second panel of Medal of Honor recipients will select three individuals to receive Citizen Service Before Self Honors. The recipients will be announced on Monday, March 12, and honored at a ceremony on Friday, March 23, 2012 in conjunction with National Medal of Honor Day. The ceremony will be held near the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, VA.   ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR FOUNDATION The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to perpetuate the Medal of Honor’s legacy of courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, and to promote American values through increased  awareness, education, behavior and example. The Foundation supports the objectives, activities, and outreach programs of the Society, and raises funds for initiatives that promote what the Medal of Honor represents, operation of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society headquarters, and the public service activities of the Society’s exclusive membership. For more information, visit www.cmohfoundation.org     2012-02-03T22:29:59+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/lt.-governor-dardenne-urges-service-today/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/lt.-governor-dardenne-urges-service-today/#When:13:52:22Z Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is urging all Louisiana citizens to make Jan. 16 A Day On, Not a Day Off in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in one of many service projects organized throughout the state. A list of projects can be found on www.VolunteerLouisiana.gov by clicking the Martin Luther King Jr. Day banner. Projects include litter abatement, park beautification, mentoring and school renovations like painting and landscaping.  "Martin Luther King Jr. Day allows us to highlight both the needs and the opportunities for individuals to make a tangible difference in their communities," Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. "And for those not currently volunteering, it's the perfect time to make a commitment to give back." 2012-01-16T13:52:22+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/mlk-day-presidential-proclamation/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/mlk-day-presidential-proclamation/#When:20:31:37Z THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release January 13, 2012 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FEDERAL HOLIDAY, 2012 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On a hot summer day nearly half a century ago, an African American preacher with no official title or rank gave voice to our Nation's deepest aspirations, sharing his dream of an America that ensured the true equality of all our people. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a movement that would push our country toward a more perfect Union. At a time when our Nation was sharply divided, Dr. King called on a generation of Americans to be "voices of reason, sanity, and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred, and emotion." His example stirred men and women of all backgrounds to become foot soldiers for justice, and his leadership gave them the courage to refuse the limitations of the day and fight for the prospect of tomorrow. Because these individuals showed the resilience to stand firm in the face of the fiercest resistance, we are the benefactors of an extraordinary legacy of progress. Today, Dr. King is memorialized on the National Mall where he once spoke, a symbol of how far our Nation has come and a testament to the quiet heroes whose names may never appear in history books, but whose selflessness brought about change few thought possible. Dr. King's memorial reminds us that while the work of realizing his remarkable dream is unending, with persistence, progress is within our reach. On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we celebrate the man who fought for the America he knew was possible. Dr. King's faith in a God who loves all His children and a Nation grounded in the promise of equality would not let him rest until victory was won. As we work to meet the challenges of our time -- from fixing our schools so every child gets a world-class education to ensuring all Americans have access to strong and secure economic opportunity -- let us draw strength from Dr. King's stirring affirmation that "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." In his memory, let us continue climbing toward that Promised Land, one more fair and more just for all people. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2012, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service projects in honor of Dr. King, and to visit http://www.MLKDay.gov to find Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across our country. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. BARACK OBAMA   2012-01-13T20:31:37+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/call-for-volunteers-for-baton-rouge-senior-olympics/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/call-for-volunteers-for-baton-rouge-senior-olympics/#When:22:32:06Z As spring inevitably approaches, the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging is preparing to host its annual Greater Baton Rouge Senior Olympics. Every year, hundreds of individuals 50 or older in the Greater Baton Rouge area participate in these friendly, yet competitive, games which qualify them for to compete in the state-wide Louisiana Senior Olympic Games.  Events include basketball, tennis, track and field, golf, archery, bowling, horseshoes, billiards, table tennis, weightlifting, swimming, ballroom dancing, pickleball and many, many more. Volunteer Louisiana and the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging are seeking individuals of all abilities and backgrounds to volunteer at these games. A wide variety of volunteer opportunities will be available beginning March 3. To volunteer, please visit: http://www.ebrcoa.org/PageDisplay.asp?p1=5309. If you would like to know more about the Senior Olympics, you may visit their website at: http://www.ebrcoa.org/senior-olympics. If you are interested in participating in one of these events, registration forms and schedules are available at the EBRCOA location at 5790 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 or by calling 225-923-8000, ext 239. 2012-01-11T22:32:06+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/looking-back-moving-forward/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/looking-back-moving-forward/#When:20:42:38Z As 2011 winds down, it is gratifying to reflect on this past year and realize the full impact that volunteers continue to make throughout the state. At Volunteer Louisiana, we are grateful for the role that we have in fostering volunteerism and an ethic of service among all citizens. This past year, Volunteer Louisiana leveraged federal and state funds totaling $7 million, which were matched by local communities with $4.9 million, which was invested in programming to engage citizens in service throughout the state. Here's a brief recap of what we've been able to accomplish together this year. AmeriCorpsThe 1,117 AmeriCorps*State members funded through Volunteer Louisiana served 279,625 hours in 14 agencies across 28 parishes and directly impacted 48,744 people through various programs, including tutoring and mentoring students, providing work training to formerly incarcerated adults, providing health education, supporting youth development, and building affordable housing, in addition to continued hurricane recovery projects. AmeriCorps participants also earned $4,460,392 in Education Awards to fund future educational opportunities. Learn and Serve K-12In the 2010-2011 school year, 23 service-learning programs were awarded grants totaling $240,000. These programs were located in 12 parishes, reaching an estimated 2,006 K-12 public school students, who contributed over 46, 505 hours of service at a value of $993,347 to their communities. Through projects linked to classroom curriculum, such as teaching proper oral hygiene, preventive activities to address costal erosion, recycling projects, visiting and partnering with nursing home residents, building projects and tutoring and mentoring peers, students were able to strengthen their academic skills. Volunteer OutreachThe goal of the Volunteer Outreach program is to engage all citizens in service regardless of skill, interest or ability. In 2010, 837,553 Louisiana residents volunteered 121 million hours of service, providing a value of $2.58 billion to the state. For additional information about our past and current programs and special initiatives, check out the 2011 Volunteer Louisiana Annual Report, highlighting the great work that has been happening all over our state to address the critical social needs in our communities. As we move into 2012, we are excited about the potential for engaging even more community members in service to others. We are already hard at work identifying projects for MLK Day on January 16, 2012 and Global Youth Service Day April 20-22, 2012. Check the links under Featured Programs to find projects in your community. We know that most people volunteer because someone asked them, so we are asking you today, Make 2012 the year that you get involved in your community by sharing your time and your talent with something you are most passionate about. Then let us hear from you by sharing those photos of service on our Facebook page, Volunteer Louisiana. We believe seeing other people serving is a great encourager for someone to become involved. And you might just win a coveted All We Need Is U t-shirt. 2011-12-28T20:42:38+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/bloggers-sought-for-lpb-website/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/bloggers-sought-for-lpb-website/#When:21:36:51Z Step It Up! a new LPB new website (www.lpb.org/stepitup designed to help teens and tweens develop health habits and get active, is seeking four teens (ages 13-18) who will prepare information for blogs that will be posted to the website.  They will provide insight from their point of view, share personal experiences, provide additional tips to help teens and tweens develop healthier habits, get active and motivated to reach personal goals.                  Additionally, we need teachers, parents, tweens and teens to respond to these blogs and provide comments or ask questions that will be answered by the professionals who will provide feedback and direct them to the information given on the website.   Interested bloggers should contact Gary Mire at gmire@lpb.org.  He also wants help spreading the word to help Step It Up. 2011-12-27T21:36:51+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/service-learning-symposium-nov.-10-and-11/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/service-learning-symposium-nov.-10-and-11/#When:12:54:06Z Looking for a professional development opportunity focusing on service-learning?  Volunteer Louisiana and Louisiana Campus Compact are co-hosting the third annual K-20 Service-Learning Symposium at University of Louisiana at Monroe on Thursday, November 10, and at Southeastern Louisiana University on Friday, November 11. The symposium will be from 8:30 am until 3 pm each day.  Registration is free for current K-12 teachers and Louisiana Campus Compact members.  Non-Louisiana Campus Compact members must pay a $100 registration fee.  A continental breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials will be provided.    Dr. Christine Cress of Portland State University, author of Learning through Serving, will be the presenter.    For more information, email Dr. Stuart Stewart, executive director of Louisiana Campus Compact, at lacampuscompact@selu.edu or call (985) 549-2496 by November 1.  2011-10-18T12:54:06+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/make-a-difference-day-2011/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/make-a-difference-day-2011/#When:21:54:47Z This year, in conjunction with Make A Difference Day, Volunteer Louisiana and Volunteer Ascension will be teaming up to bring over 30 volunteers together for several beautification projects on school campuses throughout Ascension Parish on Saturday, October 15. At Oak Grove Primary in Prairieville, volunteers will be replanting a flower bed in need of work. The flower bed is in a high traffic area-seen by teachers, students and school visitors as they enter the parking lot. Volunteers will be removing dead plants, weeding, tilling the soil and planting several new types of plants. Along with decorating the flower bed, they will be reworking an existing walking path for visitors to use to purvey the garden. At Galvez Middle School in Galvez, volunteers will be creating a flowerbed from scratch in an area which students and teachers frequently pass. It will be placed near several other flower beds which have been planted at previous service events. Along with the decorative garden, volunteers will also be planting a small potted vegetable garden for the students. The students will enjoy engaging with nature by studying how plants grow, as well as enjoying the fruits of the garden. A side project at Galvez will also involve painting a mural on the side of the school. At Dutchtown Primary in Geismar, several volunteers will be placed with the task of painting several exterior doors around the school. The process of beautifying the schools will be both enjoyable to the volunteers participating as well as the school's faculty and students. The three events will occur simultaneously at their different locations from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. Registration will be from 8-8:30. Lunch and snacks will be provided for the volunteers. As the outset, it seems like it's going to be a highly successful day and many of the people involved are very excited for the day. For more information on this year's project or planned events in the future you may email laserve@crt.la.gov or call Volunteer Louisiana at 225.342.2038. Make A Difference Day is a National Day of Service event which Volunteer Louisiana consistently recognizes and participates in. It is the largest annual community service event, mobilizing up to three million people around the world per year to volunteer to create an impact on millions more. 2011 marks the 19th annual Make A Difference Day, which was first started in 1992 by USA Weekend Magazine who now partners with both HandsOn Network and Newman's Own.       2011-10-06T21:54:47+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/vote-for-sbp-sept.-28-to-oct.-5/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/vote-for-sbp-sept.-28-to-oct.-5/#When:19:56:06Z New Orleans nonprofit St. Bernard Project is entered in an online voting contest to receive $1 million from Chase's American Giving Awards. They need your help to bring this money to New Orleans. St. Bernard Project (SBP), an innovative organization working to rebuild the homes and lives of New Orleans area residents, has been selected to compete against 25 other charities from across the nation in a voting contest on Facebook between Wednesday, September 28 and Wednesday, October 5. Here's how you can help: 1. Go to apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/ 2. Like the application3. Go to the American Giving Awards tab4. Vote for SBP in the Community Builders category5. Share with ALL your friends on Facebook and TwitterSBP's goals are to: 1) create humane, safe, secure and affordable housing; 2) ensure that individuals, families and the community as a whole are mentally healthy and well; and 3) create living wage jobs for veterans in the community. Founded in 2006 by Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg, SBP, with the help of over 34,000 volunteers and 4,000 donors and partners, has rebuilt 402 homes in the region, provided free mental health services to hundreds of uninsured patients and created jobs for veterans and local residents. SBP is working to create a model for post-disaster recovery in America that works. SBP plans to expand operations in New Orleans and replicate our services in Joplin, Missouri, to ensure that residents there do not suffer the interminable delays endured by New Orleans area residents. 2011-09-27T19:56:06+00:00 http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/volunteer-ushers-needed-oct.-14-30-in-nola/ http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/blog/comments/volunteer-ushers-needed-oct.-14-30-in-nola/#When:13:58:14Z ArtSpot Productions in collaboration with the New Orleans African American Museum present "Rumours of War". Volunteer ushers are needed to assist with this site-specific performance that will move the audience through the grounds of the museum. Ushers are needed Friday through Sunday nights Oct. 14-30. Volunteers will need to wear all black and report to the box office at the NOAAM by 6:15pm each evening. The positions involve walking outside. Volunteer ushers will receive one free ticket to see the show on an different evening. "Rumours of War" explores themes of slavery, racial privilege, religion, revolution and warfare. This performance is part of 2011 bicentennial commemoration of the 1811 Louisiana Slave Revolt. Collaborating artists include: Ausettua Amor Amenkum, Jeff Becker, Shawn Hall, Sean LaRocca, Monique Moss, and Kathy Randels. If you're interested please email rebecca@artspotproductions.org For more information, visit the website at http://www.artspotproductions.org 2011-09-26T13:58:14+00:00