Tag Archives: AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps members celebrated for their contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2023
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

AmeriCorps members celebrated for their contributions

To celebrate the annual AmeriCorps Week, Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is recognizing the valuable contributions of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors who pledge to “get things done” for the nation.

Gov. Brad Little and Secretary of State and AmeriCorps alum Phil McGrane signed a proclamation designating March 12-16 Idaho AmeriCorps Week, and members were honored for their contributions by local organizations. The weeklong celebration also honors the contributions and support of thousands of local organizations that make these programs possible.

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AmeriCorps members unite to serve in honor of Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 12, 2023
Media Contact: Micaela de Loyola-Carkin, Micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4042

Monday, Jan. 16, marks a national day of service when Americans are encouraged to volunteer for projects in their communities. To honor and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day, Serve Idaho AmeriCorps members are planning to volunteer around the community in many ways.

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Serve Idaho announces AmeriCorps grant funding opportunity

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 5, 2023
Media Contact: Kim Empey, Kimberly.Empey@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible for federal funding for community service projects through AmeriCorps.

Interested organizations have until Feb. 10 to submit an application for a grant to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. A notice of intent to apply for a grant must be filed by Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. MST. A mandatory technical assistance call will be held Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. MST.

Organizations interested in applying must identify their community need, then design and implement an AmeriCorps program that leverages people power as a solution. Organizations receiving funds are responsible for recruiting, training and managing AmeriCorps members to deliver those services.

Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps provide funding for the following focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans and military families.

Grant awards vary in amount based on the size, complexity and cost of running an AmeriCorps program.

Learn more about this grant opportunity at https://serve.idaho.gov/grantsfunding/.

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In 2021, AmeriCorps committed more than $5.2 million to support Idaho communities through AmeriCorps initiatives. This federal investment leveraged more than $1.2 million in other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support and increase return on taxpayer dollars.

Serve Idaho is a division of the Idaho Department of Labor and the state’s AmeriCorps programs is administered by the Serve Idaho Commission. Serve Idaho is funded in part by the federal agency AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor.

For information about Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps service opportunities visit serveidaho.gov

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Serve Idaho is supported by AmeriCorps. A total of $4,519,228, or 61%, of the program is financed with federal funds, and $2,893,430, or 39%, is funded by local support.

Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism seeking commission applicants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 6, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is seeking applicants from across the state to serve a three-year term.

The commission is seeking the following individuals:

  • A representative from a local labor organization.
  • A representative from a local Indian tribe.
  • A representative from higher education.
  • A representative from the volunteer sector.
  • A representative with experience in promoting the involvement of older adults (ages 55 and older) in volunteer service.

Gov. Little will select and appoint members. To learn more about commissioner requirements visit Serve Idaho Resources.

All interested applicants should contact Renee Bade at renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov for application information. Applications must be submitted to Serve Idaho by Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, for consideration.

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Idaho’s First Lady reads new children’s book to kick off Apprenticeship Week

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 17, 2022
Media Contact: Gina.Robison@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho First Lady Terea Little holding Booper Dreams Big children's book

Teresa Little at reading event

“Booper Dreams Big: An Almost True Story of Apprenticeship,” is a new Idaho children’s book released today as part of National Apprenticeship Week in Idaho (Nov. 14-20).

Idaho’s First Lady Teresa Little read the new children’s book to a class of third graders at Owyhee Elementary in Nampa as an early kick-off of National Apprenticeship Week. Continue reading →

Idahoans receive awards for volunteerism and philanthropy

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 21, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Volunteers and philanthropists from across Idaho will be honored at the Idaho Philanthropy Day virtual award ceremony on Nov. 15.

Idaho Philanthropy Day“Volunteering is an important aspect of the Idaho way of life. Every year, we take time to honor our neighbors who donate time and talent to help their communities thrive,” Gov. Brad Little said.

Winners were chosen by the Idaho Philanthropy Day judges after studying each nomination to decide which ones best encompass the spirit of philanthropy including time, talent, treasure and involvement in the community.

All winners for each category have been published except the Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award, which will be announced live at each celebration. The list of winners can be found at IdahoNonprofits.org.

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Kremer of Serve Idaho receives national leadership award

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 27, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho Commission Vice Chair Charlette (Char) Kremer of Lewiston recently was named the 2022 Outstanding Commissioner of the year by America’s Service Commissions. The award was presented virtually at the association’s annual Innovation and Leadership Award ceremony Sept. 22.

Photo: Charlette Kremer

Charlette Kremer

Kremer was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to serve on the commission in 2014. She previously served as the Director of Lewis-Clark Service Corps, a statewide AmeriCorps program that hosted 120 members who provided tutoring and mentoring across Idaho. An AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America alumna, she served from 2005 – 2007 with Lewis-Clark Service Corps where she developed the student volunteer recruitment program and established the Community Warriors Volunteer Center.

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AmeriCorps funding available for public health programs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2022
Media Contact: Dan Cabrera, Danilo.Cabrera@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism is accepting grant applications for Public Health AmeriCorps programs.

Earlier this year, Public Health AmeriCorps, a $400 million American Rescue Plan partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was launched as a way to recruit, train and develop of a new generation of public health leaders.

The 2023 grant competition focuses on programs addressing community public health needs, including health inequities made worse by the ongoing pandemic. The competition is open to nonprofit, faith-based, tribal and community-based organizations; higher-education institutions; state, local and territorial government entities; and local public health departments. Organizations that have not yet received AmeriCorps funding are encouraged to apply.

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Seniors Benefit from AmeriCorps Senior Companion Programs in Idaho

Research has shown volunteers 55 and older who serve as senior companions often find they also reap significant financial and health benefits from the experience.

Photo; Elderly woman and older man talking on park bench.Idaho’s AmeriCorps Seniors Companion volunteers visit homes, help the person leave the house to go shopping, to doctor appointments and even the senior center for bingo. Volunteers also help with bills, laundry and engage in conversation over a cup of coffee.

According to a study on AmeriCorps senior programs,* benefits for individuals getting assistance include:

  • Spending time with others.
  • Living in their home.
  • Cost of living stays down. The median monthly cost of an assisted living facility is $4,051 compared to the mean monthly housing expenditure of $1,505. Annual cost savings reach $30,552 per person.
  • Improved health and decreased hospital visits. The federal government saved nearly $59 million each year on Medicare and Medicaid health care expenditures.

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Idaho receives more than $3.9 million in funding for AmeriCorps programs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Nearly 345 AmeriCorps members will be supporting efforts to provide low-income access to health care, education and mental health services, and serving on environmental education and restoration projects throughout Idaho – all in the name of community service.

Logo: AmeriCorps IdahoIdaho’s AmeriCorps programs are funded by the federal agency AmeriCorps through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Serve Idaho recently received a $3,930,459 grant to fund the AmeriCorps programs from 2022 to 2023. AmeriCorps members give a year of intensive service on a full-time or part-time basis. Continue reading →