Foundation Center

For those looking for grant funding, the Foundation Center is a good place to start. However, what the user receives for free is extremely limited. Instead of trying to convince your sponsoring organization to shell-out $1,295 annually (good luck!), visit one of the state's three cooperating collections - for FREE!!!

The South Dakota State Library in Pierre is home to one of the collections. I spent three hours there this morning seeking out funders I wouldn't have otherwise been able to locate with the resources available to me. The staff was extremely helpful, I didn't have to pay for printing, and there wasn't a time limit.

For most VISTAs here in South Dakota, a cooperating collection is close by. I called the State Library last week to learn more about what they had to offer. The only thing they asked of me was to please call or e-mail a day beforehand to ensure staff would be available to assist me. This request may have been because I live 100 miles away; however, I'd still give them a call just to make sure.

A missed opportunity?

Bob Herbert has a great op-ed in today's New York Times on the difficulty faced by recent college graduates finding work. Even more interesting has been the reader comments.

I'm posting this piece on the blog because I think it affects us VISTAs in a couple ways. First, some of us plan to move on to graduate school after complete our year (or more!) of service. But second, the current economic environment should be funneling more of the "best and brightest" into national service programs like AmeriCorps and Teach for America.

Unfortunately, at least judging by the reader comments, I don't know if this is even a consideration for most folks. And as someone who was born, raised, and educated on the East Coast with absolutely no desire to ever return, the number of people who think the country becomes a great void outside of the megalopolis is shocking. Well, maybe not shocking because, like I said, I grew up there. Maybe "sad" is a better word.

What is shocking to me is many of those leaving comments suggest recent college graduates move abroad to work. It's not that this is necessarily a bad idea. There are many benefits to even a temporary relocation overseas (e.g. exposure to a different culture, learning a new language). But to not see this country's current economic climate as an opportunity to effect some good is sad to me.

One shouldn't expect, whether the unemployment rate is 3 percent or 10 percent, to land their dream job with an accompanying high salary immediately upon graduation. Then again, I'm biased. There's nothing wrong with delayed gratification. And I am the eternal optimist; life always works itself out.

Volunteer Sioux Falls

Greetings!
I meant to get this post up earlier...but here you go! This past weekend, Volunteers of America, Dakotas sponsored a portion of the city-wide Volunteer Sioux Falls project, specifically the Pettigrew Heights cleanup. We had 13 volunteers that painted one of the rooms at the Volunteers of America, Dakotas' Bowden Youth Center.

It was a dull white color, and now it's tan and aqua blue thanks to our wonderful volunteers! VISTAs Brian Cochran and Tami Francis were there to help, and Daniel was a co-ambassador for the Pettigrew Heights cleanup project. Way to go Daniel!

Shown in the photo above, two signs were made to thank the volunteers for their work. One of the kids from the Bowden Youth Center made one specifically for the volunteers painting a room, and some other kids made one for all Pettigrew Heights Cleanup volunteers.

Check out more photos on our Flickr page from Volunteer Sioux Falls.

A Hearing in D.C.

Hi everyone, I hope you are doing well with your VISTA year. My name is Tracy Lini, and I am working with the Association on American Indian Affairs in Rockville MD. One of the perks of working just north of our nation's Capital is my ability to see prominent events.

On September 15th (last Tuesday), I was invited to attend a hearing at the House of Representatives! I went to see the Hearing on the Implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act at the Rayburn House Office Building which is located directly across the street from the Capital Building. This building has a unique shape and is a huge labyrinth of corridors and rooms. To enter you had to be screened the same as at the airport. At least I didn't have to take off my shoes! After many many rights and a few lefts I found myself at the correct room.

It was a small room, but looked the same as a Hearing does on television. There were many people taking notes, a camera filming us, and printed testimonies to view as the witnesses read them directly. Everyone in attendance agreed that the the Foster program needs to be improved - both for the safety of the child, and to guarantee that child can get a quality education. The main witnesses were a man speaking on behalf of inner-city Chicago, a woman speaking on behalf of the Native American Tribes in the United States, and a young lady that was placed in the Foster program in her teens, but was never given financial assistance to go to college.

It was a rare and exciting to see the House in action. It was a very interesting experience, and I am glad I was able to attend.

Service at the St. Francis House

As our service project on 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, five Sioux Falls VISTAs volunteered at the St. Francis House.

Daniel Prendable, Amy Majeres, Tami Francis, Brian Cochran, and I served dinner and stayed for fellowship with the folks of the St. Francis House. Both Brian and Tami brought a friend to serve with us, Aliyah and Gus.

The St. Francis House is a homeless shelter located on the east side of Sioux Falls, at 1301 East Austin Street. Its mission is to offer a safe place and meals for the homeless in the community. The St. Francis House also offers its guests a chance to start and maintain a savings account.

The House is a private nonprofit organization that relies heavily (if not completely) on donations. So, check out their wishlist or donate your time to help out!

I know that I had a great time at the St. Francis House, and I think my fellow VISTAs did too! Thank you, St. Francis House, for a great experience!

To see more photos of our service, check out our Flickr page.
Learn more about the St. Francis House.

Poverty up, income down

The New York Times reported yesterday that the poverty rate, as calculated by the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, rose to 13.2 percent in 2008 from 12.7 percent in 2007. This is the highest the poverty rate has been since 1997.

Whether one lives in poverty is determined by family size and income. Therefore, it's no surprise median household income dropped in 2008 from the year before, falling from $52,163 to $50,303. A decrease in nominal, or actual, income is one thing; however, when considering real, or inflation-adjusted, income, the drop is even more severe.

If you're interested in the full Census Bureau report, please click here.

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On a related note, the Census Bureau's Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates program produces poverty rates for every county and county equivalent in the United States. In 2007 (the most recent year for which data are available), South Dakota's Ziebach County had the highest rate of poverty in the country at 55.9 percent. Ziebach County is part of the Cheyenne River Reservation.

South Dakota has three additional counties among the top 10 with the highest rates of poverty nationwide:

• #2, Buffalo County, Crow Creek Reservation, 50.3 percent
• #4, Shannon County, Pine Ridge Reservation, 47.4 percent
• #7, Todd County, Rosebud Reservation, 42.8 percent

Keep in mind there are over 3,100 counties and equivalents in the United States. The living conditions on reservations are often compared to those of third-world countries; economic indicators certainly substantiate these anecdotal reports, including my own here on the Rosebud.

What's even more fascinating (and sad) is the level of economic disparity just here in South Dakota. Lincoln County, home to a portion of Sioux Falls and its suburbs, tied for the sixth-lowest poverty rate in the entire country in 2007 at 3.7 percent. South Dakota's statewide rate was 13.2 percent.

Any guesses as to the county (or general area of the country) with the lowest rate of poverty?

Get Rich Slowly

This is a good web site that offers simple and helpful hints about how to manage your money (or lack of) effectively. I especially like the "blog" section. Advertising for another blog on this blog! Imagine that!