Tag Archives: AmeriCorps

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 →

Governor Little appoints leaders from Shoshone and Clayton to Serve Idaho Commission

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed two new commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The new commissioners are Karma Metzler Fitzgerald of Shoshone and Amanda Gardner of Clayton.

The two join the existing commission of 15 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is “To inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

Photo: Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Photo: Amanda Gardner

Amanda Gardner

“Ms. Metzler Fitzgerald and Ms. Gardner bring a passion for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in their communities,” Serve Idaho Program Manager Renee Bade said. “We are excited to welcome them to the commission to share their expertise in advancing service across Idaho’s rural communities.”

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Serve Idaho announces $375,000 in funding for AmeriCorps planning grants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 5, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

A maximum of five organizations will receive funding up to $75,000 each for planning grants to explore the feasibility of operating an AmeriCorps program. These funds allow time and financial resources for organizations to determine how an AmeriCorps program and its members could help solve community problems. Priority will be given to organizations focusing on education, housing and serving rural communities, but all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Interested organizations must file a notice of intent to apply for a grant by 4 p.m. MDT on Aug. 15. The intent to apply form can be found at https://serve.idaho.gov/grantsfunding/. A mandatory technical assistance call will be held Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. MDT.

The deadline to submit the grant application is Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. MDT.

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ISU’s Institute for Rural Health Awarded $1.4 Million to Build Public Health AmeriCorps

NEWS RELEASE

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

Idaho State University’s Institute for Rural Health (IRH) received more than $1.4 million in to expand public health across Idaho. The funding award comes from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteering and national service, which is part of Public Health AmeriCorps.

It will support 72 AmeriCorps members who will be placed across Idaho to increase the capacity of public health organizations, including providing suicide prevention and intervention training.

Logo: AmeriCorps IdahoWith this new funding, the IRH will leverage the skills and experience of AmeriCorps members throughout Idaho to expand capacity of public health agencies and increase the number of suicide prevention trainings offered throughout the state. This funding will also support members’ interests in learning more about public health careers and continuing to serve in the public health sector.

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AmeriCorps Members Celebrated for Their Contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

This week Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism celebrated the valuable contributions of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors who pledge to “get things done” for our nation as part of the annual AmeriCorps Week.

Throughout the week Serve Idaho highlighted members from across the state on social media, showcasing the impact they are making in communities throughout Idaho. Gov. Brad Little signed a proclamation declaring the week “AmeriCorps Week,” and members were recognized for their contributions by local organizations. The weeklong celebration also honors the contributions and support of thousands of local organizations that make AmeriCorps programs possible.

In Idaho, approximately 900 AmeriCorps members serve each year in communities from Bonners Ferry to Montpelier. Programs such as Idaho HealthCorps run by Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health provide health screenings and health education for Idaho’s rural communities, while programs such as the University of Idaho’s Idaho Positive Youth Development Program work with the 4-H extension offices across the state to engage students in afterschool STEAM education. Members serving with the North Idaho Senior Companions Program, sponsored by the Panhandle Health District, provide much needed companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled.

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AmeriCorps Volunteers Help Idaho Organizations Build Capacity

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 1, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Applications Open for AmeriCorps VISTA Project

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible to host an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) member who can assist in building organizational capacity. Capacity building activities may include fundraising, grant writing, research and volunteer recruitment.

Interested organizations must submit an application to Serve Idaho, The Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism by March 18 at 4 p.m. MST. A training and technical assistance call will be held for interested applicants on March 8 at 10 a.m. MST.

Preference will be given to organizations who serve impoverished, rural or otherwise at-risk youth, and community members and programs that focus on economic opportunity, which includes financial literacy, employment and housing.  Continue reading →