Ben & Jerry's encourages volunteerism

Ice cream never fails.

Ben & Jerry's just launched two new flavors that encourage volunteerism! What a fabulous idea!

 Slash Food / Photo

Berry Voluntary and Brownie Chew Gooder can only be found at Target stores. If you'd like to get a coupon for a free pint, register at VolunteerMatch.com. You can even send a coupon to five friends! What a deal - helping the community and enjoying some Ben & Jerry's.

Find more information at Slash Food.

Did You Know? 3.0 and 4.0

Volunteering In America: South Dakota

Above: Corporation for National Community Service's
great infographic of average volunteer rates in 2009.
(Click picture for larger view)

 
The Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) has launched the 2010 Volunteering In America report. It has some great info on all sorts of scales--national, state, and local. You can also see national profiles divided by age (ex. Baby Boomers, College Students, etc.).

The 2010 report and other stats are available on the Volunteering In America website, check out the South Dakota page too!

Fun fact about CNCS:
"In South Dakota, more than 5,000 people participate in national service each year through 14 national service projects and programs. This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service will commit more than $2,100,000 to support the national service initiatives in South Dakota."

These service projects and programs include AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Learn and Serve America, etc.


Woo hoo volunteers! Keep up the good work!

AmeriCorps Week Photos

Greetings!
*Whew!* AmeriCorps Week was busy, but a serious good time. Love ya VISTAs!

Check out some photos from last week's events on our Flickr page. Here are some teasers:

Avera Race Against Breast Cancer in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants baseball game

Service Project for Sioux Falls Humane Society

Sioux Falls Picnic
Celebrating AmeriCorps VISTA's 45 Years of Service

Habitat for Humanity's "A Brush With Kindness" in Sioux Falls

Go to our Flickr page

Stephens High

Today, the last day of AmeriCorps Week, Robbie and I went to Stephens High School in Rapid City. We brought pizza, generously donated by Papa John's on Rushmore Ave., to lure the students into the conference room reserved for us. Unfortunately, the conference room was not located near a high-traffic area and the pizza wasn't strong enough to tempt them to come and inquire. We were told there have been announcements for our visit all week, and we saw several posters, but it was a beautiful sunny day and my co-workers loved the pizza.

Jefferson loves AmeriCorps!

I went to Jefferson High yesterday where the students welcomed me excitedly. The girls I spoke with had big dreams but no idea how to pay for college. They seemed mainly interested in NCCC because they were very active young women who enjoy being engaged in their community. 
I told them about Mommy's Closet while they popped their pop corn in the Eagle's Nest, the student lounge, and learned that several students at Jefferson are pregnant or young mothers, and thought college was out of their reach. I was pleased to tell them that AmeriCorps not only pays for college but pays childcare too.

I learned that Jefferson requires Service Learning for all graduates, but many of their students lack transportation to Service Learning sites. My office is two or three blocks from Jefferson, so I may have high school interns here as early as September from Jefferson. My VISTA VAD was really heavy on volunteer recruitment and retention, so I have all summer to figure out something for these young people to do for a semester. 

I mentioned we were in the beginning stages of planning a small carnival this summer, and one young lady, who wants to be a psychologist, volunteered her boyfriend's services for the event. He's a hypnotist/comedian, loves kids and a crowd. Of the schools I've visited so far this week, Jefferson was my favorite because the students were friendly, warm and welcoming. 

National American University

Today Robbie and I both visited NAU in downtown Rapid City. Robbie's post was in the residence hall which serves as dorms for WDT and SDSM&T in addition to NAU students.
Last week, I hung posters at all the schools we would visit this week. I was pleased to see this displayed as you enter the main office!

I set up shop in the lobby of the main building. The student traffic there was nil but I was able to speak to several teachers and counselors from the Financial Aid office and several other faculty and staff members who were interested in telling their students about an opportunity with AmeriCorps. Nursing students graduate with an average of more than $50,000 in debt, many reaching the $70s. One year with AmeriCorps will alleviate a portion of that debt with the education award but with such a high loan amount, I suggested her students opt for the cash award which, if chosen, will forgive 15% of their Perkins loan. Since choosing the Segal Education award doesn't forgive any percentage of student loans, the cash award would actually help their outstanding loans more than the education award!
Here's me in the lobby. I'll be in next month's newsletter for NAU, Rapid City campus.