WhiteHouse.gov Blog Feed: Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Opening the Door for Program Related Investments

Jonathan Greenblatt — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:02:03 +0000

Recently, the Obama Administration took a simple but important step that has the potential to do a lot of good in communities across the country – anything from improving education, creating opportunity in low-income communities, or keeping our water and air safe.

Traditionally, foundations have tackled our most vexing problems primarily by making grants to organizations. Foundations are required to make annual charitable contributions of at least five percent of their total assets. These overwhelmingly are done via grants and most stay very close to the five percent minimum. The remaining 95 percent of assets are maintained in an endowment and typically invested in a diversified portfolio in order to preserve or increase value to enable continued giving in the future. The proposed rule issued by the Treasury Department and IRS would make it easier for philanthropies to make what are called Program Related Investments (PRIs).

PRIs allow foundations to put more of their resources to work to advance their charitable mission through means other than grant-making – like equity investments, loans, loan guarantees, or other investments. Despite their flexibility, PRIs historically have not been used with much frequency because of confusion as to how they work and the high costs associated with them. For example, many foundations find it necessary to proactively seek legal counsel to confirm that an investment would qualify under the definition of charitable purpose even before using a PRI.

To address these concerns, the Treasury Department and the IRS proposed a rule that includes updated examples of how private foundations may use PRIs to fund charitable activities, which will help foundations make these investments more easily and at a lower cost. The guidelines illustrate that organizations can use PRIs to support groups working on a diverse set of issues from preserving the environment, to furthering education and scientific research, to relieving the poor and distressed.

This important update is the first in 40 years since PRIs were implemented in 1972.

The proposed rule also clarifies how foundations can use different methods such as credit enhancement arrangements to strengthen the capacity of organizations. This approach can leverage the balance sheets of foundations, enabling “capital activation” and potentially adding significantly to their capacity to drive social impact. Such methods can serve as an indicator to other institutional investors about the possibilities of deploying capital in creative ways to generate value and strengthen communities.

A PRI is an investment made by a foundation, which, although it may generate income, is made primarily to accomplish charitable purposes. PRIs are novel for several reasons. First, they provide foundations with the flexibility to fund activities serving charitable purposes in a variety of ways beyond conventional grants. Second, such investments can be made to tax-exempt charities but also to social enterprises and conventional businesses. And third, unlike conventional grants, PRIs can take various forms, including equity investments and low-interest loans.

These guidelines do not cover all the potential scenarios, and public comments on the proposed rule have been requested by July 18. We hope that the proposed rule will spark a dialogue over the next two months with the philanthropic community. Through feedback on the guidelines and an exchange of ideas, we hope to update the regulations in a manner that serves the public interest. This additional guidance is expected to facilitate the ability of foundations to determine whether investment qualifies as a PRI, reducing the transaction costs, conserving a foundation’s resources for additional charitable activity, and increasing capital flows for charities and social enterprises that can create jobs and generate impact.

To comment on the proposed rule for PRIs, please visit the Federal Register.

Jonathan Greenblatt is Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.

Service Members Help Meet the Needs of Young Children

Jonathan Greenblatt — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:47:55 +0000

Jumpstart children and Corps member read Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey during a classroom session.

Ed. note: To recognize the impact service members have on young children, the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation introduces readers to Naila Bolus, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jumpstart, one of the largest part-time AmeriCorps programs.

When asked how service members expand educational opportunities for preschool children in low-income communities, Naila writes:

In North Philadelphia, 50 Temple University students – all Jumpstart Corps members – have spent the past two semesters immersed in preschool classrooms in one of this city’s most under-resourced communities. Twice each week they trod past garbage-strewn abandoned lots, broken sidewalks and shuttered buildings into classrooms infested with cockroaches. But they can see what many people cannot – the wealth of opportunity in the community and the tremendous potential in the young children they serve. As I sat with a group of eight Jumpstart Corps members this week, they were reflecting on their year of service and the incredible progress made by their “partner” children – e.g. a reticent child now one of the most outspoken; a child who couldn’t recognize the letters in her name now able to write them clearly. As these Jumpstart Corps members prepare to take their final exams, they do so with the pride of knowing that they have helped dozens of children master the language and literacy skills they need to succeed in school and in life.

For too many young children, the neighborhood in which they live remains the greatest predictor for their future success. Indeed, children in low-income neighborhoods start kindergarten 60% behind their wealthier peers[1], and in the absence of high-quality programs – like Jumpstart – this gap only continues to widen as children advance through school and life. Conversely, research tells us that investing in high-quality early education is the best way to increase lifetime productivity and graduation rates while decreasing crime and other societal ills. In fact, as Nobel Laureate and University of Chicago professor James Heckman has shown, every dollar invested in early education produces a return on investment of at least 7% and in some studies as high as 15%.

Investing in early education is investing in the future. This Administration has demonstrated its commitment by calling for increased funding for and improvements to Head Start, establishing the Office for Early Learning in the U.S. Department of Education, and creating the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge.

This week marks the Week of the Young Child™, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, an annual celebration to raise awareness and advocacy for the importance of early childhood education. As Jumpstart’s program year comes to an end, the Week of the Young Child is perfectly timed. It presents us with the opportunity to reflect on the great service that communities, organizations and individuals across the country are providing to expand educational opportunities for all young children.

Jumpstart is one of the largest part-time AmeriCorps programs training close to 4,000 college students and community volunteers to serve in 500 preschool classrooms in low-income communities. This year alone, Jumpstart Corps members are serving more than one million hours to 10,000 young children. Not just in North Philadelphia, but across the nation, Jumpstart Corps members are singularly focused on unleashing the potential of the young children they serve year-round, and working toward the day all children enter kindergarten prepared to succeed.

To learn more about Jumpstart’s involvement in the Week of the Young Child, visit jstart.org/weekoftheyoungchild or follow me on Twitter @NailaBolus

Jonathan Greenblatt is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation.

[1] Before even entering kindergarten, the average cognitive scores of children in the lowest socio-economic status (SES) group are 60% behind the scores of the highest SES group. Lee, V. E., & Burkham, D. T. (2002). Inequality at the Starting Gate: Social Background Differences in Achievement as Children Begin School. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute.

Volunteers to the Rescue

Jonathan Greenblatt — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:30:55 +0000

Two volunteers in Salisbury, NC help rebuild an abandoned home on Make A Difference Day 2011.

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is celebrating National Volunteer Week on April 15^th– 21^stto recognize individuals who serve their communities. This blog post introduces readers to Paul Woodson, Mayor of Salisbury, NC. The City of Salisbury transformed two neglected blocks of South Shaver Street and is an honoree for the Make A Difference Day city awards. When asked about the impact volunteering has had on communities, Mayor Woodson writes:

Like many Piedmont North Carolina communities, Salisbury was hit hard by closures of textile mills in the ‘90s followed by two deep recessions. The resulting decline in private-sector revenues dug a deep hole in public and non-profit budgets, causing the city government to struggle to provide the same services without a tax increase.

Founded in 1753, Salisbury is an older city with an aging housing stock. To compound the challenge, the housing crisis of 2008 left many homeowners stranded, either battling foreclosure or without disposable income to make needed repairs to their homes. This left a ripple of deterioration throughout many city neighborhoods.

The Salisbury Community Appearance Commission (CAC), a City Council advisory board, spearheaded a partnership with the Council to develop a cohesive concept that would help foster accountability among residents and communities for cleaner, safer neighborhoods -- one block at a time. With Council support, the CAC implemented a unique initiative called BlockWork.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Make a Difference Day 2011 provided the opportunity for a pilot project. The annual day of service is sponsored by USA WEEKEND and supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering and service.

Before the big day, two adjacent blocks were selected from the applications. City staff and neighborhood leaders met with property owners to design work plans. On the event day, volunteer work crews were designated for each of the 14 sites. Property owners participated on work crews and contributed to the cost of materials as able.

The BlockWork event attracted 85 volunteers representing multiple neighborhoods and crossing all lines of age, income, and ethnicity. Throughout the day, these volunteers filtered into two neighboring blocks of South Shaver Street where they installed brick walkways, front steps, hand rails, and picket fences. They planted trees and shrubs and painted buildings.

It was a day of neighbors helping neighbors, working together to make a difference, that was fitting for the annual day of service. The effect of the one-day work event was breathtaking, but theresults of BlockWork far exceed the work accomplished in one day.

With careful planning prior to the event, one abandoned house underwent extensive repairs and is once again a lovely historic home. Another house, previously boarded up for 10 years, now has a buyer and plan for renovation. A long-time vacant house unsuited for renovation is slated for demolition. And now, a once-fractured group of neighbors has reassembled on several occasions to discuss problems and solutions related to local drug activity and neighborhood traffic issues.

A New Community Model

We are thrilled that Salisbury, N.C. was chosen as a recipient of the Make A Difference Day City Awards, but are even more pleased to see the excitement about BlockWork is spreading to other communities. One neighborhood’s residents, whose application for the BlockWork program was not selected, independently held their own neighborhood improvement day and revitalized a dilapidated house.

Another neighborhood came together to plant 80 street trees. And many neighborhood leaders will attend a meeting in early May to prepare for submitting their applications for BlockWork 2012 – scheduled for October 27, Make a Difference Day.

BlockWork is a new community model for what can be accomplished when citizens come together to work for a common cause, and it is showing every sign of becoming infectious.

Jonathan Greenblatt is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation.

The BIG DIG Inspires Community Pride

Jonathan Greenblatt — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:00:09 +0000

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is celebrating National Volunteer Week on April 15^th – 21^st to recognize individuals who serve their communities. This blog post introduces readers to Jerramiah T. Healy, Mayor of Jersey City, NJ. In 2011, over 600 volunteers beautified 80 sites in one day and due to their efforts, Jersey City is an honoree for the Make A Difference Day city awards. When asked about the impact volunteering has had on communities, Mayor Healy writes:

As the second largest city in the state, Jersey City is known as Wall Street West for the hundreds of financial services corporations that are located here. Our city of 250,000 people is one of the most diverse in the nation and we pride ourselves on celebrating both our diversity and our civic pride.

For the past three years, Jersey City has demonstrated this civic pride by participating in Make A Difference Day, the annual volunteer effort sponsored by USA Weekend Magazine and supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering and service.

Youth volunteers help plant tulip and daffodil bulbs on Make A Difference Day 2011 as part of Jersey City’s ‘The Big Dig’ project.

For Make a Difference Day 2011, The Jersey City Parks Coalition, conceptualized a citywide planting project named the ‘BIG DIG’. Volunteers would plant hearty tulip and daffodil bulbs in parks and patches of grass throughout the city. Come spring, the fruits of our mutual labor would be reaped.

To cover the cost of supplies, the Parks Coalition volunteers raised nearly $15,000 from the city’s corporate community. The City then identified and prepared the sites. More than 600 volunteers participated in the day, including members of non-profit organizations, school teachers and students, scouts, members of civic organizations and representatives from the corporate community. This winning collaboration illustrates how public-private partnerships and volunteerism are valuable resources for governments.

While tangible results include a more beautiful city, the benefits for those involved go far beyond what’s visible. The city not only established a greater sense of community, but those who participated developed a greater sense of pride in their city while also building skills.

Here in Jersey City, we value our volunteers and are proud of all our non-profit organizations. We continue to foster strong relationships with all sectors as we advance our City and the quality of life for our residents.

Jonathan Greenblatt is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation.

Expanding Opportunity through Active Volunteering

Jonathan Greenblatt — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:45:40 +0000

While the economy continues to show signs of improvement, there are still many workers who are facing challenges in connecting to new careers. The Department of Labor has encouraged dislocated workers to pursue education and training to improve their skills and better position them to compete for employment opportunities. Many workers have taken advantage of these opportunities, but it is also important to lay a path forward for those workers who have not enrolled in training and seek other options to build their skills and increase their chances to find employment.

Today, the Department has issued guidance—in the form of an Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL)—recognizing that active volunteering can help expand opportunity for unemployed individuals by enabling them to develop and maintain skills, expand their professional networks, and enhance their resumes while helping in their community. Activities such as coordinating an after-school program, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or assisting individuals in filing Earned Income Tax Credit claims all create immediate benefit for individuals in need and underserved communities. Such activities also help the participants to sharpen the soft skills that many employers demand.

We also know that, as more businesses stress the importance of corporate citizenship and shared value, many more are encouraging their workers to volunteer. In many ways, this is not a new development. A wide range of companies such as AT&T and IBM have long standing programs that encourage employees to volunteer. As this trend continues to spread, knowing that a job seeker is already committed to the community may be another positive attribute from the employer’s perspective when assessing potential candidates.

Research also indicates that there might be a correlation between civic health and reducing unemployment. Civic Health and Unemployment, a report issued last year by the National Conference on Citizenship and others found that states and localities with higher indices of civic engagement in 2006 saw less growth in unemployment between 2006 and 2010. While there could be alternative explanations for this correlation, volunteering was a foundational element of the civic engagement in these communities.

Volunteering is not a substitute for paid employment. The first priority for every displaced worker is to return to gainful employment – actively searching for work is critical and Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients will still be required continue their job search. However, volunteering may actually expose job seekers to new available jobs.

Many workers report that they have exhausted their connections even while they continue to send resumes without getting interviews. Volunteering for a non-profit organization—in addition to actively searching for work—can add a new dimension to job seekers’ resumes by demonstrating commitment and community engagement.

We encourage States to promote volunteering by individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits and to review their current “able and available” and “work search” requirements. We also would encourage states to implement policies that allow individuals to volunteer consistent with the requirements of Federal law without making them ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits. In addition, we are optimistic that this will ignite collaboration between workforce boards and jobs clubs and their counterparts in State volunteer commissions and nonprofit organizations that support volunteering. Here in Washington, we will work with our colleagues at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to share this message with their constituents and partners across the country.

Active volunteering can expand opportunity, strengthen communities and connect job seekers to their next employer. As a human capital strategy, volunteering offers a pathway to opportunity that can benefit millions of Americans.

Jonathan Greenblatt is the Director of the Domestic Policy Council Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.

Helping Youth at Home and Abroad

Jonathan Greenblatt — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:36:01 +0000

Neha Gupta and members of Empowering Orphans volunteer on Make A Difference Day 2011.

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is celebrating National Volunteer Week on April 15^th – 21^st to recognize individuals who serve their communities. This blog post introduces readers to Neha Gupta, a 15-year-old from Pennsylvania who built a library for underprivileged youth. Neha is a national honoree for the Make A Difference Day awards. When asked about the impact of volunteering, Neha writes:

It’s a tradition in my family to celebrate birthdays by taking food and gifts to orphaned children in my family’s hometown in India. I have participated in this custom since I was young.

When I visited India in 2005, I was marked by the harsh conditions that orphans endure. Without a quality education and support system, orphans have little means with which to change their circumstances. Instead of just feeling empathy towards them, I decided to help break this cycle. I was nine years old when I started Empower Orphans, and these last seven years have taught me much about myself and the world. Together with fellow teen volunteers, we have raised more than $485,000 to purchase necessary items and services for orphans and underprivileged children.

Over time, I have learned that volunteering and service have exponential impact. Not only have I provided orphaned children the opportunity to help themselves, but I have led thousands of others to do the same. I have met countless people who share my interest in making a difference and together we have built an ever-growing community that empowers orphans. Through volunteering, my peers have changed their own lives, too. Volunteering has prepared me, not just for college, but for the life I hope to live afterwards.

In addition to impacting orphans in Asia, Empower Orphans and its volunteers have helped underprivileged children in the United States. Last year, during Make A Difference Day, I led a team in Pennsylvania to meet the needs of children just a few miles from my home. We launched a project for a struggling school in Philadelphia at Feltonville Intermediate, whose library had shelves, but no books. The volunteer team conducted a book drive in July that gathered 3,000 titles. With generous grant funding, we bought colorful furnishings and, on October 22, my friends and I cleaned the library, sorted and shelved books, and gave the room a comfortable and inviting feel.

Drawing momentum from the success of the library, I have started an Empower Orphans club at my high school. Today, Empower Orphans has built five libraries, three computer labs, one sewing center and a science lab to help bridge the gap between underprivileged children and a future filled with opportunity.

Jonathan Greenblatt is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation.

The Benefits of Civic Engagement for Tomorrow's Leaders

Jonathan Greenblatt — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:45:41 +0000

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is celebrating National Volunteer Week April 15^th – 21^st to recognize individuals who serve their communities. Christopher Gergen, the Chief Executive Officer of Forward Ventures and a fellow with Fuqua’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship at Duke University, expresses the benefits of civic engagement for tomorrow’s leaders in a guest blog post below.

What do tomorrow’s leaders need to help serve our communities? It might be helpful to parse this into two questions. First, what leadership traits do we look for? Second, how can we actively engage tomorrow’s leaders as problem solvers in our community?

According to the Center for Creative Leadership, tomorrow’s leaders will need to have: strong self-awareness; an ability to collaborate across sectors with deep empathy for the communities they serve; critical thinking skills to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges; and the courage to take action even in the face of stark adversity, including the crushing pressure of the status quo. This “growth mindset” requires rolling up one’s sleeves, swallowing a dose of humility, and getting immersed in reality – and I’m not talking about TV.

So how do we best equip emerging leaders to understand and face today’s tough challenges ranging from persistent economic inequities to environmental degradation to significant educational achievement gaps? One critical strategy: volunteerism.

Research bears out that young people who volunteer in their communities are more likely to vote, stay actively involved in service, and feel empowered as citizens. A study discussed in Promoting Student Engagement found that volunteers become emotionally connected to the communities they serve and sustain community involvement after volunteering – a strong positive indicator for future economic growth.

Volunteering also helps people develop skills and confidence. A recent report by the National Conference on Citizenship found that “participation in civil society (such as volunteerism) can develop habits that make individuals employable and strengthen the networks that help them find jobs.”

For the betterment of our world, we need engaged leaders who understand our complex world. The question is not whether volunteerism is a good thing, but rather: how can we provide as many opportunities as possible for our next generation of leaders to serve?

Jonathan Greenblatt is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation.

Celebrating America's Greatest Asset: Our Volunteers

Wendy Spencer — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:54:34 +0000

Volunteers help build homes on the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. (Photo from the Corporation for National and Community Service)

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is celebrating National Volunteer Week on April 15th – 21st to recognize individuals who serve their communities. This blog post introduces readers to Wendy Spencer, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

It’s an old saying and a profound truth that it is better to give than to receive. During National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, we celebrate the millions of Americans who volunteer and recognize the extraordinary benefits of service to individuals, communities, and our nation.

America always has had a strong spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. Since our earliest days, citizens have given generously of themselves to improve the lives of others. Today, over 64 million volunteers serve annually, strengthening the nation’s safety net and providing hundreds of billions of dollars in vital services to our communities. They are doing hard but necessary work: tutoring and mentoring youth, assisting seniors who live independently, supporting veterans and military families, helping communities recover from disasters, and so much more.

As a lifelong volunteer – and a dedicated volunteer coordinator - I know the power of citizens in action. In 2004 and 2005, after a series of storms hit my home state of Florida, we saw an extraordinary outpouring of compassion: more than 250,000 volunteers came to assist in the recovery effort.

Though volunteers aren’t looking for recognition or reward, they learn the timeless lesson of service: when you help others, you also help yourself. Volunteering is a way to gain experience, sharpen skills and build valuable social and professional networks. It’s a pathway to jobs, education, and other career-building opportunities.

Today, service is helping veterans transition back to civilian life, giving persons with disabilities a chance to reach their full potential, and empowering people from low-income backgrounds to improve their lives. Volunteering is helping people from all backgrounds demonstrate the dedication, accountability, and character that every business and organization looks for in a future employee.

Volunteering also creates the types of active, engaged citizens that our democracy needs. Research shows that people who volunteer are more likely to get involved in groups, stay current on news, participate in elections, and work with their neighbors to solve problems.

It’s amazing that a single act can go such a long way, but that is why volunteering is so fundamental to our nation’s well-being and who we are as Americans. Throughout the week, the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation will use this blog to highlight how volunteering expands opportunity for volunteers and the people and communities they serve.

During National Volunteer Week, as we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of volunteers, let us also redouble our efforts to engage Americans in serving their communities. A great place to start is Serve.gov, where you can find a local volunteer opportunity that fits your interests.

As President Obama stated in his Presidential Proclamation on National Volunteer Week 2012, “With every hour and every act, our lives are made richer, our communities are drawn closer, and our country is forged stronger by the dedication and generous spirit of volunteers. I encourage every American to stand up and play their part – to put their shoulder up against the wheel and help change history's course.”

Wendy Spencer is the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

PG&E Partners with Fresno Community to Create Summer Jobs for Youth

Marta Urquilla — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:00:39 +0000

Employers nationwide are working with their communities to answer President Obama’s Summer Jobs+ call-to-action to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth ages 16 – 24 this summer and beyond.

In support of Summer Jobs+, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) will partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County to provide summer employment opportunities for underserved youth from Central Fresno. With a $200,000 investment from PG&E, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County will provide career exploration and job skills training to more than 150 young people ages 15-18. Fifty youth from the program will be invited to compete for summer jobs with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County, local nonprofit organizations and local businesses.

“A summer job can not only help ease the burden of back to school costs, it can help provide self-esteem, discipline, self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment that can last a lifetime,” said Diane Carbray, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County.

This partnership comes at an unprecedented time for youth unemployment: the 2011 unemployment rate for young people ages 16-24 set a record low, and only 21 out of every 100 teens from low-income families had a job last summer.

President Obama proposed $1.5 billion for high-impact summer jobs and year-round employment for low-income youth ages 16-24 as a part of the American Jobs Act, but Congress failed to act. That’s why the President launched Summer Jobs+ in January to challenge the public and private sectors to create youth employment opportunities beginning in summer 2012.

“PG&E is proud to help Fresno’s young people find jobs in this challenging economic environment,” said Greg Pruett, a Fresno native and senior vice president who serves as chairman of the PG&E Corporation Foundation. “Assisting them will provide a valuable boost for the businesses that take part, benefiting the entire Fresno community. It’s just one more way PG&E is giving back to the communities we’ve been a part of for more than one hundred years.”

By investing in the success of youth in the communities it serves, PG&E is building its pipeline for the next energy and utility workers. In this “all hands on deck” moment, partnerships like these are essential for connecting young people to successful careers and addressing our economic challenges.

Marta Urquilla is a Senior Policy Advisor in the Domestic Policy Council Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.

Gulf War Veteran Serves Again Through AmeriCorps

Todd Schnittke — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:04:52 +0000

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is commemorating AmeriCorps Week to celebrate the remarkable individuals who have served and their contributions to our country. This blog post introduces readers to Todd Schnittke, a veteran who served from 1989-1993 and continues to serve through AmeriCorps. When asked about his AmeriCorps experience, Todd writes:

After serving our country for four years during the Gulf War as a Multiple Launch Rocket System Technician, I decided to resume my education and get a college degree. I learned about AmeriCorps after entering North Central State College in Mansfield, OH, and I was immediately drawn to the program. Working as an AmeriCorps member at AMVETS Career Center Post #26 in Mansfield offered me the unique opportunity to serve others in my community—especially active duty personnel and veterans—while earning the money I needed to attend college.

I am now in my second year as an AmeriCorps employment specialist at AMVETS. The rate of unemployment for veterans in the State of Ohio is around 16 percent—higher than the national average. The AMVETS Career Center where I work is one of 61 locations that help veterans secure employment through free job training, resume workshops, mock interviews, and access to employment opportunities.

Coming Home is Not Always Easy

The transition from the military to a civilian lifestyle can be very challenging, and I strongly believe that all men and women who risk their lives for our country should have every opportunity for success at home.

Many veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and turn to drugs, alcohol or violent behavior; some end up in the judicial system. Programs like AMVETS give veterans the opportunity to transition from active duty to civilian life in a constructive and enriching way.

I am a member of the treatment team for the Mansfield court, and serving my clients can be a challenge. Yet, my experience in the military helps me identify with their challenges.

A Vet Helping Vets

The AmeriCorps training I received gave me the tools to help veterans through career preparation and secure employment. Because I approach my clients as a fellow veteran, I can quickly establish rapport. I know what they’ve experienced.

As you can imagine, I’ve heard many stories during my service, but one in particular stands out for me. A National Guardsman – single father of two boys -- came to our center in need of assistance. He was in danger of losing his home and could not find work.

Through my network of employers, I was able to help him get a job with a local furniture store. I also referred him to the Veterans Service Commission to get emergency assistance. Our combined efforts were enough to help him keep his home, feed his family, provide fuel to get to his job, and improve his situation from desperate to hopeful.

Serving in AmeriCorps has allowed me to be a valuable asset to my community. I have helped more than 80 veterans in Mansfield and the surrounding areas secure jobs. In 2010, I made my Career Center number one in Ohio, and I was named Coach of the Year. AmeriCorps has helped me transition back to civilian life. I can use my experience and knowledge to solve problems here. That makes it all worthwhile.

Todd Schnittke served for four years during the Gulf War as a Multiple Launch Rocket System Technician

Taking the Path from Prison to Service with AmeriCorps

Ely Flores — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:53:29 +0000

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is commemorating AmeriCorps Week to celebrate the remarkable individuals who have served and their contributions to our country. This blog post introduces readers to Ely Flores, a former prison inmate who has transformed his own life through service, and in turn, has transformed the lives of others. When asked about his AmeriCorps experience, Ely writes:

My story is common for a child raised in a single-parent household in an underresourced and disenfranchised community. My father abandoned my family when I was young and, in my neighborhood, young offenders were more often sent to prison than to rehabilitation programs. I grew up in south Hollywood and South Central Los Angeles. Lacking a steady home life, I took to the streets and found violence as the only way to face my daily problems. My gang lifestyle eventually led to incarceration. I was in and out of prison for four years, until I realized that staying out of the penal system for good meant making profound changes in my life.

It is deeply important for youth who are in the challenging situation I once faced – being out of school and out of work – to know that there are organizations and individuals in every community that care about providing support needed to lead a life of success and integrity. For me, this support came through two AmeriCorps programs: LA CAUSA YouthBuild and Public Allies.

LA CAUSA YouthBuild came into my life at age 17 when I was still in prison and about to become a father. The people at YouthBuild introduced me to self-accountability as I struggled to experience a positive transformation. They didn’t define me according to past crimes, but rather, embraced me with acceptance and trust.

My development was by no means a quick process. I needed a safe space in which to grow and make mistakes. I needed time to develop confidence and self-awareness. Without the support of a role model and mentor, I could not have taken the steps necessary to improve my life. My YouthBuild program director, Alejandro Covarrubias, spoke to us on our level—he knew how to gain our trust and respect. Alejandro became a friend and a mentor to all of the young people in my cohort. He was never the “director” or the decision-maker – he was just another human being connecting with us.

Finding My Voice

My time with Public Allies allowed me to see others who looked like me and were taking on the challenge of getting an education and developing leadership skills. They inspired me to do the same. AmeriCorps members helped me to understand that I had a voice that could be used to engage public leaders and pursue change. It was the positive influence of my peers that helped me turn my ideas into transformative social action including providing affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in my community.

Today, I am an activist. I have a passion for community organizing and providing youth with leadership development opportunities. I believe in solution-based social justice. One of my contributions has been founding Leadership through Empowerment, Action and Dialogue (LEAD) in Los Angeles, California, which has trained more than 200 underresourced youth in legal education, social justice, and community activism.

There are many people who tell youth, “You are the future.” While I believe in empowering youth, I don’t believe this is the right message. I believe that we are the now—not just the future. We need only one person to believe in us and show us the way. There are others like me who want to be a part of the community and contribute to it in positive ways.

I once heard that “Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are – precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way.” I live my life encouraging others to learn from their mistakes and to approach situations with the solution-oriented spirit that helped me get off the track of violence and crime, and into a life of public service.

My path is a testament to the notion that it’s possible to turn your life around if you’re given the chance. I live to make sure that others have the same opportunity.

Ely Flores is President of Leadership Through Empowerment Action And Dialogue Inc. in Commerce, CA.

Read more:

Commemorating AmeriCorps Week: Expanding Opportunity Through Service, by Jonathan Greenblatt
AmeriCorps Alum Focuses on Helping Parents, by Rhonda Ulmer
AmeriCorps: Developing the Next Generation of Public Servants, by Bizunesh Scott

AmeriCorps: Developing the Next Generation of Public Servants

Bizunesh Scott — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:17:16 +0000

My journey to this moment began almost twenty years ago. I saw a flier in the Black Student Center at Milwaukee Area Technical College promising to make me one of tomorrow’s leaders through an AmeriCorps program, Public Allies. Me? I was a teenage mother stringing together welfare, food stamps, student loans, work-study, and a child-care subsidy. If I failed, I knew, at least, I had tried. Despite these overwhelming challenges, here I am today: an AmeriCorps alumna and Special Assistant to the President of the United States.

The AmeriCorps program offered me hope in a time of economic and personal struggle. It promised to prepare me for leadership through a full-time nonprofit apprenticeship and rigorous leadership training. The program also provided life support, including much needed medical insurance, child care assistance, a tuition stipend, and a livable wage. Most importantly, the program accepted me based on my future potential, not on my life situation at that time. I had not graduated from college. I was not top of my class in high school. I had not played sports, volunteered, or done any “resume-building” extracurricular activities. All I had, and all I needed, was an inclination and a desire to lead through service.

During my time in AmeriCorps, I worked at the Youth Leadership Academy, a support program for African-American boys in grades three through eight. These boys were also not model students. They often had disciplinary problems at home and school. But, they were accepted to the Academy based on their potential to lead. Using a systematic approach, the program would develop their discipline, teamwork, and academic achievement to build self-esteem and lead to more constructive behavior, better grades, and long-term success. These were my first mentees. It was through this experience that I learned to appreciate potential, despite a person’s present circumstance.

Being in the fully supportive environment of AmeriCorps for over ten months transformed my life. I charted a new path towards graduate school, applying and getting accepted to the college program affiliated with my AmeriCorps work site. I was able to continue working at the Youth Leadership Academy to support my family through my undergraduate studies. Then, I went on to law school. The rest is a much different history than what would have been had I never seen that flyer, received the encouragement of Public Allies CEO Paul Schmitz, or obtained the support of AmeriCorps. Twenty years later, I can say with certainty that AmeriCorps fundamentally shifted my path in life. That path has led me to mentor other young leaders and create life-shifting moments for them, as well.

Today, I wrote an AmeriCorps recommendation for one of my mentees. He is a recent graduate of the University of California-Berkeley and an aspiring law student. Yet, he faces homelessness in two months, when the stipend he uses to support himself as an unpaid White House intern runs out. I am confident that he, like me, can become a game-changer with the support of AmeriCorps and the encouragement of a mentor.

Bizunesh (Biz) Scott is Special Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel.

Read more:

Commemorating AmeriCorps Week: Expanding Opportunity Through Service, by Jonathan Greenblatt
AmeriCorps Alum Focuses on Helping Parents, by Rhonda Ulmer
Taking the Path from Prison to Service with AmeriCorps, by Ely Flores

AmeriCorps Alum Focuses on Helping Parents

Rhonda Ulmer — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:02:08 +0000

Ed. note: The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is commemorating AmeriCorps Week to celebrate the remarkable individuals who have served and their contributions to our country. This blog post introduces readers to Rhonda Ulmer, who works to educate parents so they can better help their students.

Rhonda Ulmer, left, discusses University for Parents during the “No Textbook Answer” documentary on Maryland Public Television with parent Brian Tucker Sr. and Meade High School Senior Charnele Thomas.

I began my AmeriCorps journey when I was recruited into the program by the Community Action Agency in Annapolis, MD. My first job was to create a mentoring system for families of Head Start students. The next year, I continued serving in the program by training others in mentoring as a regional coordinator, and I returned for a third year with AmeriCorps to lead the program as a state coordinator with Volunteer Maryland.

After my term ended, I began working at Johns Hopkins Health Care LLC, first as a Community Relations Coordinator and later as a Community Health Educator. But soon I would receive a call that would put me on another path. My children’s school, Van Bokkelen Elementary in Severn, MD, was in danger of a State takeover due to poor test performance and high student population turnover.

A Parent Helping Parents

Upon hearing about the school’s difficulties, I went to Rose Tasker, the Principal, and asked what I could do to help. She told me that challenges with parental involvement at the school were a major part of the problem. I found that not only were many of the children struggling, but that the parents were too. Many had a hard time supplying daily needs such as food, health care, and clothing for their families.

When I learned this, I took a bigger role with the school’s PTA and began developing a strategy to improve the involvement of other parents. In doing so, I took everything I learned from AmeriCorps: first you get a plan, and then you find the key players involved. Throughout the project, I drew from the experiences of my first year of AmeriCorps service.

Soon, I found myself leading the school’s PTA. In this role, I created the Van Bokkelen Family Network, a program that promotes parental involvement and focuses on meeting family needs so parents can help children with their academic needs. I joined with other school leaders to form partnerships with the local Boys and Girls Club, Southwest Airlines, Anne Arundel Community College, the YWCA, Maryland Food Bank, Community Action Partnership, and other organizations to create a community hub that provides support and resources to the school’s families.

After three years, the school emerged from the threat of the State takeover. Today, everyone in my community can take pride in the fact that the school has registered improvements for the last five consecutive years. Our efforts led to a national PTA award for the Van Bokkelen Family Network, and the model has been used to assist other troubled schools.

The Next Phase

After working on the Van Bokkelen project, I realized that I could help other families facing the same difficulties. In 2008, I applied for and received the AmeriCorps Alum Eli J. Segal Entrepreneurship Award, which helped me create University for Parents, an effort to expand the Van Bokkelen Family Network to other schools and provide parents with the family education and mentoring needed to improve student success.

I believe that when you educate the entire family, everyone becomes accountable for the information they receive, and that’s what we’re accomplishing with University for Parents.

Although I have received numerous honors for University for Parents’ innovative approach, I am most proud of the example I have set for my children. My children serve with me and they serve on their own. The greatest reward is having the opportunity to involve my children in my daily work.

After starting University for Parents, I had plans to continue my education. These plans were put on hold when I was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal sarcoma, a type of cancer, in December 2009. My doctors removed a 13-pound tumor the size of a football during the surgery, and, after I recovered, I continued my work with University for Parents.

Last year, University for Parents participated in the “American Graduate” public broadcasting initiative that addressed the dropout crisis in U.S. schools. We led a six-week University for Parents curriculum for students and their families at two Maryland schools near a military base to provide resources to break the cycle that leads to high school dropouts in that community.

Just before Thanksgiving 2011, I was diagnosed with cancer again. I just had a second surgery in January and I remain determined to continue my work when I finish my recovery.

Why? Because I believe that no matter what your situation or your challenge is, you can always give back.

Rhonda Ulmer is the Founder of University for Parents.

Read more:

Commemorating AmeriCorps Week: Expanding Opportunity Through Service, by Jonathan Greenblat
AmeriCorps: Developing the Next Generation of Public Servants, by Bizunesh Scott
Taking the Path from Prison to Service with AmeriCorps, by Ely Flores

Commemorating AmeriCorps Week: Expanding Opportunity Through Service

Jonathan Greenblatt — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:02:41 +0000

National service is one of America’s most hallowed traditions. As Alexis De Tocqueville noted in 1835, we are a nation of joiners. Ours is a country where people take collective action for the good of all.

Since the early 1900s, government has created conditions that make it easier for people to join and give back. For example, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s that put people to work and contributed to “future national wealth.” President Kennedy called on young people to serve, domestically through VISTA and internationally through the Peace Corps. In 1994, President Clinton created AmeriCorps to bring together disparate national service opportunities and to scale our ability to strengthen communities through civic participation. Today, AmeriCorps is our nation’s most expansive service program.

Since its founding, more than 706,000 men and women have joined AmeriCorps and pledged to “get things done for America.” Across the nation, AmeriCorps service members have demonstrated commitment to strengthening our communities by joining programs such as Teach for America, City Year, Habitat for Humanity, Public Allies, and Youth Build. All of these are AmeriCorps initiatives. The selfless and caring citizens that join AmeriCorps confirm the adage that tomorrow can be better than today if we each extend a helping hand to our neighbors.

As we continue the ongoing process of economic recovery and workforce renewal, AmeriCorps can be seen as a critical element of a holistic human capital strategy for the country. It is a means by which we can leverage our latent talent and channel it into something kinetic that realizes public good. Last year, AmeriCorps received a record of more than 580,000 applications for just 80,000 positions. More than half a million people applied to join the program, not for financial gain, but because they were driven to make real community impact.

The AmeriCorps program has enabled communities to receive long-term support for needs in education, public safety, and health while some of its impact has been far more immediate. Over the past few weeks, a series of devastating tornadoes swept across the Midwest. AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers immediately were deployed to assist with the cleanup and distribution of essential items such as blankets, bottled water, and food. As it has done during some of our nation’s worst natural disasters – the tornados in Joplin in 2011; the Gulf oil spill in 2010; Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – AmeriCorps quickened the recovery and facilitated the rebuilding of affected communities. Whether reconstructing homes in disaster-stricken areas or helping at-risk youth stay on track for high school graduation, these every-day heroes change millions of lives across the nation, expanding opportunity and enriching prosperity to the benefit of all.

Service initiatives like AmeriCorps do more than move communities forward; they serve their members by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce. Thanks to programs like AmeriCorps, thousands of young adults are placed into intensive service positions where they learn valuable work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.

This week, we commemorate AmeriCorps Week to celebrate the remarkable individuals and their contributions to ourcountry. The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation will dedicate our blog all week to showcase stories of people who transformed the lives of others through their service and, in turn, experienced personal and professional transformations of their own.

The late Senator Robert Kennedy said, “Few will have the greatness to bend history, itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” AmeriCorps members represent some of the important authors of our unfolding history – and it is our honor to lift up their voices and elevate their examples to inspire us all.

Jonathan Greenblatt is Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation at the Domestic Policy Council

Read more:

AmeriCorps Alum Focuses on Helping Parents, by Rhonda Ulmer
AmeriCorps: Developing the Next Generation of Public Servants, by Bizunesh Scott

The President’s Budget and Charitable Contributions: Driving Revenue and Demonstrating Fairness to Benefit America

Jonathan Greenblatt — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:40:11 +0000

Earlier this week, President Obama sent to Congress his budget proposal for the 2013 fiscal year. It is a bold proposal that demonstrates the President’s commitment to create an American economy that is built to last, one where job creation flourishes as a result of strategic investments to support entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and innovation–and one in which we restore fiscal responsibility and put the Budget on a sustainable path. As we move forward to boost the economy and to strengthen our communities, nonprofit organizations have a vital role to play.

Reflecting the Importance of Charitable Giving Through Fundamental Tax Reform

The President has called for fundamental reforms that would cut rates and tax complexity, cut unnecessary tax expenditures, cut the deficit, and observe the Buffett rule—that no one making more than $1 million should pay less as a share of their income in taxes than middle class families.

This will require tough choices. But as we make those tough choices, the Administration recognizes the importance of tax incentives for charity.

That’s why we chose to make clear that the Buffett Rule should not disadvantage individuals who make large contributions to charity, while exempting charitable deductions from the list of tax breaks that should be eliminated for millionaires. In doing so, the charitable deduction is the only major tax benefit exempted from both of these two proposals we put forward as part of tax reform.

Targeted Reduction in the Value of Deductions and Exclusions as Part of a Balanced Framework of Deficit Reduction

Even as the President has put forward principles for comprehensive tax reform, his Budget also includes a set of specific proposals as part of a down payment towards a balanced deficit reduction plan. One of the ideas we’ve put forward as part of that down payment is limiting itemized deductions for the highest-income earners.

For the top 2 percent of income earners, this would cap the value of itemized deductions and certain exclusions at 28 percent.

Here’s the logic behind that proposal: Right now, if a middle-class family donates a dollar to their favorite charity, they get a 15-cent tax deduction, but the wealthiest individuals make the same donation and they get a deduction that is more than twice that.

This proposal walks that back some of the way – to the same rates as we had at the end of the Reagan Administration. So the middle-class family would still get the entire 15-cent tax deduction; it is only the very wealthiest who would find their reduction reduced, and even then, they would still get a 28 percent tax break for every dollar they donate.

However, most Americans don't get any subsidy at all for their donations because they don't itemize. As a result, taxpayers end up subsidizing multi-million dollar gifts to already well-endowed institutions such as universities while they avoid subsidizing smaller gifts to food pantries, community arts groups, homeless shelters and advocacy organizations.

Most Charitable Giving Would Not Be Impacted

These changes are unlikely to have a substantial impact on donations. The last time the tax rate changed for high-income individuals was from 2002 to 2003, when the Bush tax cuts reduced the top income tax deduction from 38.6 percent to 35 percent. At that time, the level of individual charitable giving rose, suggesting that other factors are much more important to the process.

Moreover, 80 percent of overall contributions wouldn’t be affected at all, either because they come from individuals who are not found in the top two brackets, or because they come from corporations or foundations not subject to the individual income tax.

The proposal to cap itemized deductions will affect only a tiny fraction of taxpayers - those with household incomes above $250,000.

Finally, we believe the best way to boost charitable giving is to jumpstart the economy – which is why the 2013 Budget reflects a commitment to creating an America that is Built to Last based on creating jobs, supporting critical sectors such as energy and manufacturing, and ensuring all Americans have the skills to compete in a 21^st century.

Jonathan Greenblatt is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation

A Look Back at Joplin: United We Succeed

Cecilia Muñoz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:05:09 +0000

Eight months ago, one of the deadliest tornados in U.S. history touched down in Joplin, Missouri, and took the lives of more than 160 residents and destroyed thousands of homes. The federal response began immediately. Within hours, Federal Emergency Management Agency teams were on the ground to work hand in hand with state and local officials to assist in response and recovery. AmeriCorps members also raced to the scene as well. Members from AmeriCorps St. Louis Emergency Response Team and the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) arrived in Joplin, and immediately began working with local authorities to assist in search and rescue.

Yesterday, the Missouri House of Representative passed a bipartisan resolution honoring the more than 300 AmeriCorps members from across the country who have played an indispensable role in helping the cities of Joplin and Duquesne recover. They provided homeowner assistance and casework, helped clear debris, and provided support to the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Joplin Police Department with missing person inquiries.

But these AmeriCorps members were certainly not alone. More than 60,000 volunteers ranging from average citizens who wanted to help to active duty military to faith-based groups from across the country have been an indispensable source of support for the people of Joplin. Managed and supported by AmeriCorps members, these volunteers have provided more than 579,000 hours of service and contributed to $17.7 million of donated resources to more than 2,000 households.

AmeriCorps members continue to provide services to the people of Joplin and Duquesne. This Administration remains deeply committed to supporting the town’s long-term recovery. This week, the Corporation for National and Community Service announced that it is committing more than 30 additional AmeriCorps members to serve in Joplin over the coming year to help rebuild the community.

Since President Obama took office, he has said that this is an “All Hands on Deck” moment, a time for people to come together regardless of their differences to strengthen our country. In Joplin, we can see how service can unite Americans from all walks of life and serve as a pathway for opportunity, offering a case study of what can be accomplish through the power of community.

Cecilia Muñoz is the Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Service

Cecilia Muñoz — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:40:22 +0000

Monuments are built to those who change the course of history. It is right and fitting that a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. now stands in the heart of our nation’s Capital. Even as we renew our understanding of Dr. King’s legacy by visiting this beautiful monument; we can honor the legacy of Dr. King by following his example, by serving and volunteering in our communities.

Dr. King called service the “new definition of greatness.” He believed that the work we undertake on behalf of others is the most important work of all. He devoted his life to this notion – advancing equality, social justice and economic opportunity for all Americans. Dr. King challenged all of us to do our part to build a more perfect union.

That is why, for nearly two decades, the nation has marked the life of Dr. King with a national Day of Service. Today, Americans from every state will deliver meals, refurbish schools and community centers, collect food and clothing, sign up mentors, support veterans and military families, and more. Thousands of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members will lend a hand to community-based projects. Individuals and groups, of all ages and backgrounds, will come together – as Dr. King would have wanted – in service.

Today, President Obama and the First Lady took part in this nationwide effort, participating in a service project at a local elementary school in Washington DC. Alongside volunteers from YouthBuild, the Latin American Youth Center, Mission Serves, and the Mission Continues, they lent a hand at a local Big Brothers Big Sisters project, helping to improve the school library. Together with a large group of volunteers, they cleaned, painted and organized books generously donated to the school by First Book and demonstrated the power of an individual to make an impact.

One of the most inspiring responses to some of our most pressing problems is for individual citizens to take a look around them, identify a need, and roll up their sleeves to help. The President believes that the answers do not come from government alone. He has called on all Americans to participate in our nation’s recovery by volunteering in their communities, by working alongside their neighbors, by making an impact in the lives of others.

We need not be policy experts to make a difference. It does not take comprehensive legislation to provide a decent meal, a place to sleep or tutoring to someone in need. As Dr. King said, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

America’s story is the story of volunteers. Since the early days of our nation, volunteers have helped us meet our greatest challenges: patriots who fought for our founding ideals, women who reached for the ballot, civil rights foot soldiers who risked their lives for equality, first responders who rushed into burning towers, and ordinary citizens who came to the aid of a hurricane-stricken coast.

As we mark Dr. King’s life, we can visit his memorial, read his prolific writings, and listen again to his stirring words. But the best way to honor Dr. King – the best way to live up to his definition of greatness – is by serving.

Visit www.serve.gov to find an opportunity near you.

Cecilia Muñoz is the Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Champions of Change: Making a Difference through Service and Innovation

Marta Urquilla — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:01:36 +0000

Ed. Note: Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century.

Last week, we gathered fourteen inspirational citizens to hear about their tireless efforts to renew and strengthen their communities through service and innovation. We met in New Orleans, the host city for the 2011 National Conference on Volunteering and Service, an annual convening of over 4,000 people working to make a difference in the lives of others. President Barack Obama has called New Orleans a “symbol of resilience and community”—and what better place to highlight these Champions of Change than the Crescent City and the living laboratory for social innovation and civic participation that it has become.

Each of this week’s Champions exemplifies our Administration’s firm belief that the best ideas really do come from outside of Washington—from local communities across the country where, everyday, individuals are taking on our most pressing social challenges and developing solutions that work. From a twelve-year old environmental activist to established and highly regarded non-profit leaders, these Champions are making an extraordinary impact in communities, in schools, and in the workplace. They are building homes, creating opportunities for young people, veterans, and immigrants, and helping disaster victims rebuild their lives. Through their actions, they demonstrate that citizen leadership is critical to “winning the future.” They are redefining civic participation in the 21st century.

Our Administration is investing in these community solutions. Many of the Champions of Change are recipients of Social Innovation Fund grants—YouthBuild USA, the Delta Workforce Funding Collaborative, and iMentor—and we are so excited by the work that they are doing on the ground. Others are partnering with national service programs like VISTA and AmeriCorps, and delivering critical services to help communities recover and rebuild from disasters and to support the reintegration of veterans in our society—Equal Justice Works, Alabama State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and the Washington Commission for National and Community Service.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the St. Bernard Project. This New Orleans non-profit has drawn volunteers from across the country to rebuild hundreds of homes throughout St. Bernard Parish and the Lower Ninth Ward. It’s been quite an extraordinary example of “shared responsibility” and the possibilities that can come from citizens pulling together around a common goal. The President once noted that he saw in the St. Bernard Project “the symbol that this city has become.” And, indeed, the work of each of these Champions has such resonance.

Please visit the Champions of Change website to learn more about these individuals and their work. We hope these Champions and their causes will inspire and energize you to make a difference in your own communities, and, by doing so, to win the future.

Marta Urquilla is the Senior Policy Advisor to the White House Domestic Policy Council’s Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.

Volunteers Prove Essential to Disaster Response

Wed, 04 May 2011 18:32:25 +0000

Volunteers help gut homes, aiding in recovery efforts from recent storms. May 4, 2011. (by Corporation for National and Community Service)

Over the past few weeks, a series of devastating tornadoes swept across the country. From Mississippi to Virginia, communities are suffering great losses. The Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) Disaster Services Unit rapidly mobilized thousands of volunteers to assist local recovery efforts.

Working closely with the State Service Commissions and FEMA, CNCS has built partnerships across public and private sectors to provide critical services to communities in need. In Kentucky, AmeriCorps members support local Red Cross shelters. In St. Louis, AmeriCorps Safety Service Corps deployed members to remove trees from roofs and tarp houses to keep out the rain. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) volunteers are providing services such as checking on the welfare of affected residents, clearing debris, delivering clean water, assisting residents with relocation, distributing donations, organizing sandbag efforts to prevent flooding, transporting elderly residents to medical facilities, and providing case management support.

For Kelly DeGraff, the Senior Advisor for Disaster Services at CNCS, the agency's response to the tornadoes in Mississippi was particularly poignant. In less than 24 hours after the tornado struck Jackson, MS, CNCS volunteers were on the ground serving affected residents. A team of six NCCC members from the Southern Region campus in Vicksburg, MS helped to feed residents and distribute supplies. For nearly a week, team Leader Moses Moua, 23, of Orlando, FL and Corps Member Michael Brown, 20, of Indianapolis, IN provided day and night staffing at the American Red Cross shelter in Clinton, MS.

While working in the shelter, Moua and Brown spent time with Frelicia May and her family of sixteen. May, her husband, sister, children and grandchildren were painfully familiar with being in a shelter following a storm. After losing everything during Hurricane Katrina, they had drifted to several places in Louisiana and Texas before settling near her family in Jackson, MS. On April 15, when the tornado struck May’s new home, she gathered the few things she could salvage and headed to her sister’s two-bedroom apartment. They quickly realized that the cramped apartment would not provide the large family sufficient space or resources to get back on their feet.

The May family took refuge in the American Red Cross shelter where Moua and Brown welcomed them. After a few days at the shelter, May spoke affectionately of the NCCC members – “We love them. They laugh and talk to us and treat us like family. Michael is really good with the kids.” In addition to providing the families with basic needs, Brown has been playing tic-tac-toe, basketball, coloring, and reading to the 13 children.

“I can do a lot of things that I couldn’t do before, like build things. I knew exactly what to do when I got to this shelter because we had training on it,” said Brown. He said that being an NCCC volunteer has taught him a lot of skills and given him training that he didn’t know he would utilize. It has also taught him the power of giving back.

Throughout the year, CNCS engages more than 1.5 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service. Senior Corps, AmeriCorps State and National, and the AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers have been particularly active in responding to the recent disasters. These programs play an essential role assisting communities responding to a disaster. CNCS volunteer programs provide a great deal of value both to the communities in which they serve and the volunteers themselves.

For more information, contact the CNCS Disaster Services Unit at DSU@cns.gov.

Divya Kumaraiah is the Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Spotlight on Community Colleges Vying for Prize

Sonal Shah — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:28:46 +0000

Last October, at the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges, President Obama announced the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a new, privately-funded prize to recognize, reward, and inspire outstanding outcomes in community colleges nationwide.

Yesterday, Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary Arne Duncan congratulated the 120 community colleges that – due to exceptional student outcomes – were selected by the Aspen Institute to compete for the inaugural $1 million purse. In Round Two, the Aspen Institute will invite these 120 eligible institutions to submit applications containing additional detailed data on completion rates, labor market outcomes (employment and earnings), and student learning outcomes. Eight to ten finalists will be named in September and – following campus visits by Aspen in the Fall - prize winners will be announced in December.

Excellence in community colleges is critical to reaching President Obama’s goal that the U.S. lead the world in college graduates by 2020 and to preparing the American workforce to compete in the global economy.

“We need to do everything we can to shine a spotlight on community colleges,” Secretary Duncan said in his remarks.

That is why we are so excited about the Aspen Prize. It matches the President’s vision for creating a world class community college system and deploys an innovative model – a prize competition - to accelerate transformation nationwide.

As the Obama Administration invests in community colleges through a $2 billion Federal grant program, the prize will shine a spotlight on successful community colleges and help distil best practices. In doing so the competition will serve as a launching pad for networking among education leaders with similar challenges and concerns.

As the new industry-led Skills for America’s Future strives to dramatically improve private-sector partnerships with community colleges, the Aspen Prize will contribute to the development of clear, high-quality benchmarks that empower not only prospective students, but also businesses, to get a clear sense of a community college’s effectiveness, trajectory, and commitment to reform.

Focusing the field on a clear and bold definition of success, honoring excellence with prizes and prestige, and accelerating the spread of successful practices, the Aspen prize provides an opportunity to galvanize the work of reform-minded educators, state legislators, employers, and community college presidents across the Nation.

President Obama has championed prizes as powerful mechanisms when deployed within a broader strategy for spurring innovation. In that spirit, The Aspen Prize is an important piece of a movement to recognize the vital work of community colleges and to encourage all sectors to work together to achieve success for their students.

Dr. Biden, a lifelong educator who continues to teach at Northern Virginia Community College, spoke at yesterday’s event of the power of successful community colleges to change lives. “I have visited some of the institutions on this list,” she said, “and at these and at all of the other community colleges I have visited, I have seen innovative job partnerships and creative student support programs that are making a difference.”

We congratulate all of the community colleges chosen to compete and look forward to continuing to work with Aspen to celebrate excellence and strengthen community colleges.

Sonal Shah is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation

Growing Green Neighborhoods Through Youth Engagement

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:41:54 +0000

Groundwork Somerville teens tending and harvesting a garden and learning about urban agriculture. April 25, 2011. (by Chelsea Clarke, Groundwork Somerville)

In 2010, Chelsea Clarke joined Groundwork Somerville (GWS), a nonprofit that promotes sustainable community development and revitalization in Somerville, MA. It was a “giant leap of faith,” for the environmental consultant, but it turned out to be the perfect blend of her passions and the incredible investment in her own community she had been yearning.

Clarke began at GWS as a Green Team supervisor. Green Team is an environmental job corps that employs youth ages 14-17 to learn about and practice environmental stewardship, educate communities on green space issues, and conduct community health outreach. The youth also maintain the upkeep of school gardens and harvest and sell produce at local farmers’ markets. Green Team helps youth develop strong interpersonal skills through their team, with their supervisor, and through interactions with farmers’ market customers. “You can really see them grow over time,” gushes Clarke. “Just a few weeks ago, we took some of the teens to Philadelphia for the 2011 EPA Brownfields Conference. It was amazing to see someone who started out as a shy kid get up and present so confidently at a national conference.”

Now a community organizer, Clarke works more extensively within the neighborhood, primarily with the Green Line/Green Spaces Team. This team concentrates on the planning and use of lands for the extension of the Boston metro system through Somerville, specifically focusing on the project’s affect on urban youth. Clarke explains that “key issue areas for city youth are surprisingly similar to those of older demographics” – youth are just as concerned with sustainability, transportation affordability, and efficiency as their parents.

Garden Youth Crew gets their hands dirty and learn about urban agriculture in Somerville. April 22, 2011. (by Chelsea Clarke, Groundwork Somerville)

GWS also has programs for younger children as well as the broader community. The Schoolyard Gardens Program and Garden Youth Crew teach urban kids about their ecosystem and the agricultural practices behind the food they eat. The Community Corridor Planning program aims to make community planning processes inclusive and advocate for health equity and local jobs. The Somerville SoilCycle picks up compost for community members and uses the fresh soil from the composting for school gardens. Finally, the “Spring into Action!” program gives 2nd and 3rd grade Somerville students a chance to spend their spring breaks learning about their environment, participating in outdoor physical activities, and learning to prepare balanced meals.

Groundwork Somerville is part of the national Groundwork USA network, which works to improve neighborhoods that have experienced long-term decline in their physical and social environments.

Share your story about a transformative person or organization in your community!

Resilient and Sustainable Economies in the Gulf Coast

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:37:27 +0000

Solar Panels at Charlotte High School – the first full campus LEED Gold Certified public school in the Southeast. April 22, 2011. (by Charlotte County, FL)

This week marked the one year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Throughout the past year, communities across the Gulf coast have worked hard to diversify their economies to be more resilient. The Clean Economy Development Center (CEDC) has established a model of collaboration that brings together local communities, federal agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to rebuild neighborhoods to be more environmentally and economically sustainable.

Charlotte County recently hosted the “CEDC Clean Economy Roadshow,” spotlighting their innovative recovery work. Charlotte County, on Florida’s west coast, is home to almost 160,000 residents. Over the past seven years, the County’s primary industries of construction and tourism have struggled from the economic recession, three hurricanes, and the BP oil spill. Jason Stoltzfus, Program Liaison for Charlotte County, notes that by 2010 the unemployment rate was 13% and property values had gone down by 42%. In response, the county has worked hard to build a more sustainable economy, job market, and tax base by diversifying the County’s economic focus to include green technologies, renewable energy, medical information technology and life sciences.

Charlotte County has partnered with local businesses and leveraged FEMA funding to assist with rebuilding a more resilient community. Sustainability and energy are at the core of the County recovery plan – creating sustainable businesses and jobs while reducing energy needs and costs. Some of their innovative projects include:

LEED Buildings
In the rebuilding process following Hurricane Charley, five of the public schools earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Charlotte High School is the first full campus LEED certified public high school in the Southeastern United States.

Annual Energy Conference
The County hosts a two day conference – the Green Future Expo and Energy Options Conference – that promotes green energy, sustainable construction and economic growth. Over 3,000 people have attended the conference.

Solar Hot Water Service
Through a partnership with a local business, the County is in the process of establishing a Solar Hot Water Service program that will provide residents a low cost method for lowering their utility bills with no upfront costs. The program will generate jobs, provide the county with additional revenue through a profit share, and enable residents to switch to solar energy with no upfront or additional cost.

Babcock Ranch
The County is working with the legislature to permit the development of Babcock Ranch – the first city planned to be 100% powered by solar energy. The majority of the power would be generated by the largest on-site solar photovoltaic facility in the world.

Charlotte County is a small but mighty county with a clear vision of how to rebuild in a manner that is both sustainable and more resilient to future disasters. Next month, Stoltzfus will join leaders from communities across the Gulf Coast to share ideas and experiences at the Gulf Coast Sustainable Economies Leadership Academy. CEDC is partnering with the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Institute for Sustainable Communities will be hosting a free training, peer learning and technical assistance workshop in New Orleans. The goal is to help catalyze community-based sustainable development in Gulf Coast communities.

Divya Kumaraiah is the Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Honoring Eli J. Segal – A True Entrepreneur

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:15:40 +0000

Today marks the two year anniversary for the Serve America Act. As we celebrate the progress we’ve made in looking to community solutions and innovation to address our nation’s greatest challenges, we also reflect on those who have paved the way for service.

Last month, Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, had the honor of addressing students, faculty and community members at Brandeis University for the annual Eli J. Segal Memorial Lecture.

Eli J. Segal was both a respected businessman and a dedicated public servant. In the 2007 Inaugural Segal Memorial Lecture, President Clinton remembered his friend and colleague as a true entrepreneur – a man who saw problems as opportunities for new solutions. He showed us that service could be an integral part of one’s life, not just something to squeeze into limited spare time.

Segal was a doer – someone who turned his visions into reality. An aide to President Clinton, Segal was instrumental in driving several of the Clinton Administration’s most praised projects. He helped create AmeriCorps – the national service program that today deploys 85,000 Americans to serve in communities across the country – and he went on to serve as the first CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency established to run the federal service programs. Nelson Mandela turned to the “father of AmeriCorps” for uniting post-apartheid South Africa through service. Segal and President Clinton helped realize Mandela’s vision of a black and white youth serving side by side through the creation of City Year-South Africa. During the overhaul of the federal welfare system, Segal was the “chief implementer” – finding 20,000 companies to move 1 million Americans from welfare to work.

In her remarks highlighting Segal’s legacy, Barnes said:

"Coast to coast, country to country, Eli believed ordinary citizens could be change agents empowered to strengthen their communities, their country, and the world. And at a time when our world is changing so quickly – when some are looking for what divides us rather than what brings us together – it is the best time to honor a person who believed in the humanity that exists in all of us – humanity that ultimately resists division and instead, brings us closer to work for the common good."

Barnes remembered past Presidents who had called on our nation to serve, and she relayed President Obama’s call for Americans to integrate service into their lives.

“…We have a real opportunity to position America to win the future. This is the time to build new models of civic engagement – and if past is prologue, we will. Historically, we’ve responded boldly in times of challenge by tapping into our creativity and ingenuity. And, we’ve turned to community – rather than away from it – for solutions.”

The Administration understands that government does not and should not have all the answers. Rather, solutions to the major challenges that we face are going to be overcome by ordinary citizens across the country taking action to improve their communities.

Tell us how you are integrating service into your life.

Divya Kumaraiah is the Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Growing Strong Communities in Detroit

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:43:07 +0000

A lot transformed by the Georgia Street Community Collective - before and after. April 15, 2011. (by Georgia Street Community Collective)

There are two tales of Detroit – one of vacant lots and unemployment, the other of strong communities and regeneration. As urban planners and city officials work to maintain essential infrastructure for the more than 740,000 city residents, Mark Covington turns empty lots into community assets. He says “Detroit is peaceful because it’s not a typical city – there is so much space between the houses and my neighbors are people I grew up with.”

In 2008 Mark Covington lost his job and moved back to his childhood home in Detroit. That spring, he noticed that melting snow was catching on garbage and flooding a lot near his home that had been empty for decades. He started picking up the trash, but soon realized that removing debris alone would not stop people from using empty lots as dumping grounds. He convinced his mother and a friend to help him clean up the lot and plant a garden. As they spent more time in the garden, curious neighbors stopped by and began sharing their stories with Mark and with each other. He talked to many people with difficult choices – families forced to decide between paying electricity bills, purchasing groceries, and filling prescriptions. While the garden became a source of nutritious food, the real power of the garden was in bringing neighbors together.

Neighborhood children gather at the Georgia Street Community Collective. April 15, 2011. (by Georgia Street Community Collective)

Through persistence and dedication, what started as one man cleaning up an empty lot has transformed into a community movement – The Georgia Street Community Collective. A neighbor sent her foster children to help in the garden. They brought along a few friends, and soon Mark found himself acting as a mentor to the children. As more people became involved and new ideas were suggested, he helped to turn these visions into reality. Eventually, Mark and the Collective took on the responsibility of cleaning up and maintaining 18 different lots. Three became community gardens and one was turned into an orchard. In the summer, some lots are even used as outdoor movie theaters. The Collective has been so successful in bringing the community together that it event transformed a once-vacant building into a multi-purpose community room where neighbors help students with homework and host community holiday dinners.

Over the past three years, Mark has received encouragement from unexpected places. He started out keeping a journal on DetroitYES!, sharing his story and regularly updating the blog with the Collective’s growth. His followers quickly grew, and some even sent donations. A record label from England was so inspired by Mark that they came to Detroit and spent a day transforming an empty lot into a "pocket park," which is a small green space for public use. Initially neighbors were skeptical, but his dedication was contagious. To others who want to make a difference in their neighborhoods, Mark says “Go for it. Don’t give up. If you can’t get something one way, then try something else.”

Mark misses the days of his childhood when there were mom and pop shops and a car dealership in his neighborhood. He hopes that the work of the Georgia Street Community Collective might spur development in the area. Using produce from the gardens, he hopes to create opportunities for neighborhood kids to sell produce at local markets. Someday he might even grow the Collective into a small business. But for now, Mark enjoys just giving back to his community. He said “I’m probably more at peace in these past three years than I have been in my whole life.”

Divya Kumaraiah is the Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Partnerships and Innovation in Colorado

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:26:43 +0000

Photovoltaic (PV) panels at Columbine High School. April 15, 2011. (by Jeffco Public Schools)

Last fall, Jeffco Public Schools and Golden Power Partners, LLC (GPP) partnered with Renewable Social Benefit Funds (RSB) to bring solar energy to thirty Jefferson County, Colorado public schools. Combining federal and state incentives, as well as Xcel Energy renewable energy rebates, Jeffco Public Schools pays no upfront costs, and the project is expected to save Jefferson County taxpayers $1 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.

This January, the Jeffco solar project began to produce energy at district schools. In total, there will be 30 systems operating on campuses across the district, producing a collective 4.1 million kilowatts a year. While this is only a fraction of the total energy used annually, it’s a start. “With declining resources, any money saved goes a long way, even if it’s just enough to save one or two teachers’ jobs – initially,” notes Tom MacDonnell, Energy Management Coordinator at Jeffco Public Schools. “As the project progresses, we should receive more and more savings.”

In fact, Jeffco has been exploring opportunities to decrease the environmental footprint of their schools for years. The district started an energy conservation program in 1993 and has participated in EPA’s EnergyStar and Tools for Schools programs. Around that same time, Kirk Stokes, VP of Business Development at GPP approached Jeffco about a solar program. However, the program was cost-prohibitive. It wasn’t until funding from RSB Funds helped cover the cost of installation and management of the solar panels that the project took off.

The Jeffco solar project also enables the district to reallocate resources and strengthen its curriculum. Next fall, Jeffco is anticipating the launch of Teach the Teachers, a classroom education piece that teaches students and teachers about solar power and other energy-saving measures. Students will learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle and develop an understanding of the science and technology behind their green choices. The program, a collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), will introduce a curriculum in partnership with Jeffco’s science department in the 30 schools that are participating in the solar project. Once the curriculum is developed and tested, Jeffco hopes that other schools will also adopt alternative renewable energy curriculums.

Divya Kumaraiah is the Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Reflections on Service

Sonal Shah — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:47:33 +0000

March was an important month for service. Two events – the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps and the Points of Light event honoring President George H.W. Bush’s contribution to the modern service movement – highlighted service in an unprecedented way. To commemorate these events, the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation dedicated its blog to share stories celebrating service.

These stories came from many different leaders including, Harris Wofford, one of the principal architects of the Peace Corps, to prominent Returned Peace Corps Volunteers like Donna Shalala, to current Peace Corps Volunteers in Ghana and Mongolia, give us insight into what it is like to serve abroad. Other blogs, like those by Christa Gannon and Iris Dooling, illustrate the impact that individuals can have on their communities and tell compelling stories of the need for service here at home. They exemplify the powerful tradition of service in our country.

As we go into National Volunteer Week, we look forward to continuing to share stories about volunteers and community leaders around the country who are making a difference.

Share your story with us!

Sonal Shah is the Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

You Give A Lot, You Get A Lot: A Story Celebrating Service

Congressman Tom Petri — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:39:48 +0000

Tom Petri during his Peace Corps service in Somalia. April 8, 2011. (by Office of Congressman Tom Petri)

I responded to President Kennedy's call and applied to the Peace Corps in 1961. Had I gone, I would have served in Ethiopia with Paul Tsongas, the late Democratic senator from Massachusetts. But I got into Harvard Law School, and told the Peace Corps that perhaps I could do something law-related after I graduated. The Peace Corps got back in touch with me three years later, and I went off to Somalia to help organize its legal code.

Since that time Somalia has had terrible problems. Obviously, the Peace Corps can't turn every nation away from disaster. As representatives of the American people, our jobs was to assist the Somali people to improve their situation. In the end, there were greater forces at work, but we helped to improve lives for a while and showed that Americans can work in a peaceful, cooperative spirit with others for the benefit of everybody.

While in Somalia, I learned quite a bit about how the world works in practice and not just in theory, and these lessons have informed my public service ever since.

For instance, we Americans tended to have a "We'll show you how to do it" attitude while the British had learned over decades of empire building that it was better to take an approach which said, "We'll work with you and learn from you and try to work together on things."

An example of the American approach: We saw the obvious need for water in the parched country, and set about drilling wells. But no one really had ownership of the wells, which meant that they weren't maintained. Instead, nomads would come to the wells, make use of them, and then fill them in before moving on so the next group wouldn't benefit.

Another example: To upgrade the livestock in the country, our aid people had the idea of bringing in good, productive Rhode Island Red chickens, without fully realizing that Somalis let their chickens roam and survive on the land - something our chickens were not equipped to do.

We didn't want to just give chickens away, so we would make the Somalis bring in their scrawny chickens in exchange.

The Somalis quickly discovered that our chickens were not particularly good at surviving, but were very good for eating. So, they would always wait until it was time to kill a chicken, and then they would take one or more of their scrawny chickens and make an exchange for Rhode Island Reds, and then slaughter them.

This did not have a long-term impact on improving Somali livestock. But it certainly made a few Somali festivals a little happier.

I learned from this that government programs should be thought through, and that unintended consequences should be expected. I am sure that with time and experience, Peace Corps management has learned these lessons from early blunders as well.

Even with the missteps, I knew we were doing important work. I was with two other Peace Corps lawyers in Somalia, but there were also dozens of Volunteers in the country who were teachers, community health workers, and school builders. They provided real services to their host communities, and they built personal relationships that aided understanding between the two nations.

I can still remember the quizzical but interested reaction that so many people in Somalia had when they saw Americans engaged in a project: "Who are you?" "Why are you doing it?" "Explain that to me again."

The spirit was catching, and they would end up participating in all kinds of little volunteer activities and things that they hadn't thought of doing themselves, all working together.

People ask me about the Peace Corps, and I always say that one of the things you have to remember about it is that you get a lot more than you give. You're serving other people, and you can get great satisfaction from trying to make the world, or at least a small piece of it, a better place. And while you're serving, you're learning. You learn about another culture; and at the same time, you're learning about your own country and your own experiences because of the points of contrast.

What a wonderful thing it is that America has now tens of thousands of people who have served in the Peace Corps, who have returned and are now in every walk of life - working in international organizations and in business, knowing different cultures and different languages - thereby providing a dimension to our own national life that we would otherwise not have. We all benefit as a result.

Congressman Tom Petri served in the Peace Corps in Somalia from 1966-67 and currently represents the 6^th Congressional District of Wisconsin.

Kicking off Champions of Change

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:59:28 +0000

Throughout the last month, we’ve celebrated stories of service. In response, many of you from around the country have shared your stories of communities working together with us. We have loved reading them and look forward to sharing them on our website in the coming weeks and months.

Today, the White House launched “Champions of Change: Winning the Future Across America,” a weekly spotlight on individuals just like you who have done extraordinary things in their communities. This week spotlights Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who have leveraged their experiences abroad to help their communities back home. Similar to the series of blogs we have posted about Returned Volunteers, these videos capture the value of the Peace Corps experience, and the ease of translating lessons learned abroad into action in local communities.

We look forward to sharing more stories from all of you. Keep them coming!

Divya Kumaraiah is the Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Commemorating 50 Years of Peace and Friendship Through Service

Aaron S. Williams — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:03:25 +0000

Director Williams with Peace Corps Volunteers in Ghana, October 2010. Ghana and Tanzania were the first Peace Corps programs to welcome volunteers in 1961. April 1, 2011. (by Peace Corps)

Peace Corps is as vibrant today as it was a half a century ago and continues to capture the imagination of Americans committed to service. Our 50th Anniversary is an opportunity to honor our past and advance our mission of world peace and friendship through education and engagement. As part of our commemoration, the Peace Corps is encouraging Americans to consider participating in a community service project here at home to honor the work of our Volunteers and the vision of public service as envisioned by President John F. Kennedy.

This past month, Peace Corps staff, returned Volunteers and our regional recruiting offices across the country commemorated the anniversary through local service projects, both in the United States and in Peace Corps host countries. Our regional recruiting offices have initiated community-service projects, such as cleaning a community park, sorting donations at a food bank, serving lunch to veterans, and tutoring students in afterschool programs. Peace Corps staff overseas have been working with Volunteers on a variety of projects in the fields of agriculture, business and information technology, education, environment, and public health.

In addition to working together on community service projects, our 50th anniversary has been a time of reflection. I have heard countless stories of service. I met with many of our founders and original staff members who have spent the last 50 years working to increase service opportunities for all Americans. I spoke with applicants who have been inspired by their local service experiences and are looking to make a difference globally. I went to El Salvador and the Dominican Republic to meet with current volunteers who have been forever changed by their leadership experiences. The sum total of all of these stories of service is the legacy of Peace Corps.

In our 50th year, over 8,600 Americans ranging in age from 21 to 86, and from all 50 states, are serving as Peace Corps volunteers in 77 countries. Today, there are more Americans serving as Peace Corps Volunteers than any point in the last 40 years. Our Volunteers represent the best America has to offer – they are grassroots ambassadors for the United States. They represent America's values, generosity and hope. Although much has changed since 1961, our mission to promote world peace and friendship through service remains the same.

For me, as for so many Volunteers, the Peace Corps experience was nothing short of transformative – with an impact that has lasted far beyond our years overseas.

Aaron S. Williams is the Director of the Peace Corps; he served as a Peace CorpsVolunteer in the Dominican Republic from 1967-1970.

Lessons learned: A Story Celebrating Service

Congressman Mike Honda — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:09:24 +0000

Mike Honda meets with community leaders in El Salvador as part of his Peace Corps volunteer efforts to build local schools and hospitals. March 31, 2011. (by Congressman Mike Honda)

My time in El Salvador as a Peace Corp Volunteer taught me so much.

I went into the Corps as a college student shy of graduation with little direction; I emerged with the confidence that my emotional, psychological, and physical limits had been pushed, plied, and ultimately surpassed.

I went into the Corps driven by the shame of my youthful lack of direction; I emerged determined to do something about the pervasive poverty surrounding me.

I went into the Corps speaking one language; I emerged speaking another: Spanish, a gift that introduced me to a new world, gave me a new way of understanding other cultures and helped me connect to constituents in California.

The Peace Corps got me back to the basics, and I realized that every day is a gift to be used wisely. That lesson is what guides me now in Congress.

This year, as we celebrate the Peace Corps’ 50th Anniversary and its countless contributions to communities worldwide, let us remember Sargent Shriver’s selfless commitment and visionary leadership. He created a pioneering organization that provides opportunities for young Americans to serve as ambassadors, promoting peace and friendship around the world.

As the founder and first director of the Peace Corps, Shriver’s impassioned call to help those in need will have a lasting impression on past, present, and future Peace Corps Volunteers who accept the call to serve the international community. Shriver put it best when he said, “The Peace Corps represents some, if not all, of the best virtues in this society. It stands for everything that America has ever stood for. It stands for everything we believe in and hope to achieve in the world.”

I couldn't agree more.

Congressman Mike Honda served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador from 1965-67 and currently represents the 15^th Congressional District of California.