National Service News
www.nationalservice.org
For citizens in service through Learn & Serve America, AmeriCorps, and
the National Senior Service Corps.
Published every other Monday on the web site of the Corporation for
National Service.
For the latest information and updates, visit
http://www.nationalservice.org (Issue #34, August 11, 1997)
CALDERA CONFIRMED: NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Just before leaving for August recess, the U.S. Senate confirmed Louis
Caldera of California as Chief
Operating Officer for the Corporation for National Service. Caldera, who
is currently a member of the
California State Assembly, will be responsible for all National Service
program operations. When
Congress returns after Labor Day, action on the National Service budgets
will resume.
NATIONAL SERVICE SCHOLARS: CLINTON ANNOUNCEMENT
In his Saturday, July 26 radio address, the President announced that over
1,600 high school students from
every state are receiving $1000 National Service Scholarships to
recognize outstanding community service
and help with college. The Corporation for National Service matches $500
awards from service groups
including Rotary, Lions, and the American Legion. President Clinton said
"Our goal is to make this
program available in every high school, so every principal can announce
the name of a Scholar".
STUDENT SERVICE: LEARN & SERVE AMERICA IN WASHINGTON
Every Wednesday afternoon, 15 Learn & Serve America students from an
English as a Second Language (ESL) class at Washington, DC's Cardozo High
School visit nearby Meyer Elementary School for paired reading,
developing their own skills through reading with younger children. Now,
the Cardozo Book Project will involve these same service-learning
students in a writers workshop where they will write and publish a series
of books which they'll read with the Meyers students. As a result,
according to ESL teacher Spencer Salas, the LSA students will "develop
literature...develop self concept....develop community. They write and
read for real audiences and establish relationships between individuals,
schools, communities, and cultures." This fall, AmeriCorp*VISTA members
will be organizing service-learning programs in all Washington public
high schools.
AMERICA READS WEBSITE: Now available through www.nationalservice,org -
check it out to get the latest on the America Reads Challenge.
FROM THE FRONT:
"Knowing I'm making this area accessible for disabled persons so they can
see the 'real' Florida gives me a sense of pride." AmeriCorps member
Joanna Lindsey helped make an observation boardwalk wheelchair accessible
at a Panama City, FL park.
"I want to give them back more control of their lives; their
independence." Senior Companion Lee Rose makes independent living
possible for the frail elderly in Omaha, NE.
"Little children don't judge you. They just see the person you are.
They accept us no matter what the color of our skin is ." Sonia Medrano
is a Learn & Serve America student at Cardozo High School in Washington,
DC. An immigrant from El Salvador, she tutors first graders through the
DC Reads initiative.
RESOURCE TIP: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORPS
National Service programs and members who are helping non-profit
community groups grow may want to check out the National Executive
Service Corps (NESC), a not-for-profit group that provides low-cost
consulting services to other non-profits. NESC involves experienced
volunteer senior executives and professionals; for twenty years they've
provided advice and assistance in areas ranging from board development,
fundraising and strategic planning to public relations, marketing and
finance. If you're interested in their services, or in being a NESC
volunteer: Contact: Meade Chamberlin (212) 529-6660
HOT TIPS: A very popular recent posting on the AmeriCorps listserv has
been Hot Tips from former AmeriCorps Members, from the North Country
Community Corps in Berlin, NH. Members and staff from all National
Service programs will find these words of wisdom resonate. A sampler:
Keep an open mind...service is rarely what you expect it to be.
Communicate...be a good listener... ask for help when you need it.
Don't be afraid of challenges...be an active participant.
Don't take yourself too seriously...think about what makes you sane and
happy, then do it!
Keep a positive attitude. Life is an adventure, so enjoy it.
WHAT WORKS: PRESERVING FAMILIES THROUGH THE ARC
The Project: The ARC of the United States is the nation's largest
volunteer organization solely devoted to the welfare of persons with
mental retardation and their families. AmeriCorps members serving with
The ARC support independent living, serve as liaisons between the
community and educate the public about the needs of the developmentally
disabled. One of the six AmeriCorps sites is in rural Otsego County, NY,
where six members are helping developmentally disabled parents keep their
families together and function effectively by teaching parenting skills,
putting the families in touch with service providers and serving as
positive role models for the people they serve.
The Results: Sixteen families, where there was a strong risk the
children would have to be placed in foster care, have been kept together
and strengthened. Parents now participate in parenting and anger
management groups, home and personal hygiene has improved, family
financial management skills have developed, parents are more engaged with
their children and healthy familial relationships are evolving.
Why It Works: The AmeriCorps members are parents themselves, which
provides an understanding of the issues and problems confronting the
developmentally disabled and gives them a credibility with those whom
they serve. For the first time, the developmentally disabled parents are
getting one-on-one support and mentoring to help them handle the
nurturing of their children. The experience and expertise of The ARC
gives members needed skills and support.
Lessons: AmeriCorps members help make it possible for developmentally
disabled parents to stay with their children and develop a functioning
family unit. These successes are not easily achieved. Intensive service
to parents with developmental disabilities and their children is a tough
assignment that takes exceptional resilience and commitment by the
members. But the reward of seeing a family stay together and grow is
tremendous. Contact: Project Director Rosalyn McGinty (817) 261-6003
National Service News is posted on the World Wide Web at
http://www.nationalservice.org and is distributed by Internet listservs
and fax. State offices, commissions, program and site directors are
asked to distribute copies to citizens who serve. Please send comments
and story suggestions to drodgers@cns.gov
Corporation for National Service Office of Public Affairs
1201 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20525
(202) 606-5000
TDD# (202)
565-2799