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 worldwide-web site of the Corporation for
National Service.
For the latest information and updates, visit http://www.nationalservice.org
(Issue #39, October 20, 1997)
CONGRESS PASSES AMERICORPS BUDGET! Congress passed the VA/HUD Appropriations
bill, including $425.5 million - a $25 million increase - for national
service. The $25 million is for AmeriCorps*State/National Programs and is
targeted to literacy and mentoring programs. A*NCCC and Learn & Serve
America remain at 1997 levels. The House-Senate conference continues work on
the Labor-HHS appropriation, including funding for A*VISTA and Senior Corps.
A CAPITAL EVENT: AMERICORPS*NCCC COMES TO WASHINGTON
The fifth AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps campus opened in
Washington, DC, with the arrival of 100 new members. The Capital Region
Campus will be officially launched on October 24, but members are already
serving the community. Contact: Campus Director Kate Becker (202) 561-1091
NATIONAL SERVICE SALUTE: Congratulations to Maria Vail, ADA/Disability
Representative for the California Commission on Improving Life Through
Service. She was honored by the California Department of Rehabilitation for
her efforts to involve persons with disabilities in AmeriCorps programs.
THE BIG APPLE READS: NATIONAL SERVICE IN NEW YORK CITY
Here are three ways national service members and volunteers help New York
City children learn to read:
* Only 30% of children at Brooklyn's P.S. 398 were reading at grade level
before Foster Grandparents began providing individual 45 minute tutoring
sessions. All but one student has improved reading skills by at least one
grade level and Foster Grandparents are now in demand at other schools.
* Learn & Serve America students from Pace University are helping parents
prepare their children to learn to read through a series of workshops at the
Henry Street Settlement House in lower Manhattan.
* Last summer, A*VISTA Associates tutored 49 children from grades 1-3 in the
Highbridge Area of the Bronx. After eight weeks, 5 children increased their
reading skills by one-half grade, 28 by one full grade, 11 by two grade
levels, and 2 children jumped three whole grade levels.
FROM THE FRONT:
"Someday I'd like to see it like it was before. More ducks, more trees, less
trash." As a child, AmeriCorps Member Klavaus Jackson played in Newark, NJ's
Passaic River. Now he's helping clean it up.
"I would never have believed there was so much need, and I would never have
believed there was so much a nurse could do." Pace University Learn & Serve
America nursing student Carlene Campbell serves in a community health program
at the Henry Street Settlement House in New York City.
"You see needs and you respond to them. We wouldn't be able to provide
services if seniors did not volunteer their time." Charlotte Nash is County
Administrator of Gwinnett County, GA, where 455 RSVP volunteers are serving
the community.
NATIONAL SERVICE FELLOWS GET STARTED: The inaugural group of 13 National
Service Fellows are now at work following their orientation in Washington,
DC. The Fellows will work independently and as a team on approved projects
that benefit the Corporation for National Service and the field of service.
Projects include exploring service-learning in medical schools, challenges
unique to AmeriCorps tribal programs, micro-enterprise for welfare-to-work
programs, and ways museums can achieve their Summit goal of reaching 2.5
million youth.
CONGRESS BUILDS A HOUSE:
On October 23, families will move into the two "Houses that Congress Built"
in Washington, DC. The Corporation for National Service is a sponsor of this
Habitat of Humanity partnership with Congress, and Corporation staff and
AmeriCorps members pitched in on the construction. Phase II of the
partnership will challenge members of Congress to join in a similar effort in
every district and it is anticipated that national service members and
volunteers from all streams of service will be asked to participate. Habitat
for Humanity is already a major national service partner with members and
volunteers helping recruit and train community volunteers, mobilizing
resources and picking up saws and hammers from Miami to Kauai. Read on to
learn what AmeriCorps and Habitat are accomplishing in Philadelphia.
WHAT WORKS: AMERICORPS AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
The Project: Eleven AmeriCorps members serve with Habitat for Humanity
helping rebuild North Central Philadelphia, PA into a thriving urban
community by eliminating substandard housing. Members are involved in
construction, provide crew leadership for short-term volunteers, assist
future homeowners through a Family Nurture Committee and support local
involvement in the Habitat effort.
The Results: This year, five families moved into new or renovated houses.
Before AmeriCorps members arrived, only one house was being completed
annually. Construction will be completed on two additional homes by the end
of this year, and construction will begin by the end of this month to
rehabilitate three vacant houses and two empty lots. Up to 40 volunteers who
serve each Thursday and Saturday are coordinated by the members, and
neighborhood people are increasingly involved. As a special service project,
the AmeriCorps members are fixing up the run-down home of three elderly
community residents.
Why It Works: Full-time, committed AmeriCorps members enable Habitat home
construction to progress faster. Many members are from the community, and
these familiar faces help build understanding and support for Habitat. The
North Philadelphia AmeriCorps partnership with Habitat is a great example of
how AmeriCorps, A*VISTA , A *NCCC and other national service programs help
Habitat provide homes for people in need.
Lessons: About 470 full-time AmeriCorps members, along with volunteers and
service-learning students from RSVP and Learn & Serve America are serving
with more than 50 Habitat for Humanity affiliates. They enable Habitat to
expand its capacity and productivity to build more homes for more people in
need. Habitat Founder and President Millard Fuller says: "...we at Habitat
for Humanity feel privileged and honored to have the AmeriCorps people with
us, and we want more of them. We love to be partners with you in this work."
Contact, Project Director Conchita Bradley (215) 765-6070
National Service News is posted on the World Wide Web at
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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
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