(Washington, D.C.) – The Corporation for National and Community Service today unveiled four new websites to improve customer service and provide a comprehensive source for news, information, and resources about service and volunteering.

The websites were launched today at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, a three-day event in Washington D.C. that is bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders of America’s volunteer and national service sector to gain skills and develop strategies to engage more Americans more effectively in volunteer service to meet pressing social needs.

The launch of the new websites marks the completion of a 10-month redesign that consolidates the Corporation’s program information and materials into one easy-to-navigate portal. The site provides access to listings of service and volunteer opportunities, and provides grantees with resources to aid in their recruitment and program development efforts.

The redesigned site better fulfills the Corporation’s goal of being more customer-focused by providing program grantees and other stakeholders with easy to access resources. More and more, the Corporation conducts its business and communicates with the public and program constituencies using the Internet. Presenting large amounts of pertinent information, such as grant announcements, policy changes, national service news, forms, and publications, in a timely and well-organized manner became essential and was the driving force in the site’s redesign.

“NationalService.gov and our other new sites represent a huge leap forward in how we communicate with our partners and the public,” said Corporation CEO David Eisner. “These new websites will help our customers get the information they need as easily and quickly as possible so they can focus their energies on serving community needs.”

In addition to NationalService.gov, the Corporation launched redesigned versions of its program websites for Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America:

• The new Senior Corps web site http://www.seniorcorps.gov provides opportunities for Americans age 55 and older to meet a wide range of community challenges through its three main programs: RSVP, the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program.

• Targeted at program grantees and participants, as well as AmeriCorps alumni, the new AmeriCorps http://www.americorps.gov website provides visitors with information on and access to intensive community service projects and volunteer opportunities available throughout the country through its three programs: AmeriCorps*State and National, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps).

• The new Learn and Serve America website http://www.learnandserve.gov provides tools and information for schools, nonprofit groups, and institutions of higher education to engage students in service-learning activities. The site also provides resources for teachers, faculty members, schools, and community groups.

The website’s new infrastructure makes it easy to update and maintain information, encourages rapid deployment of new content and features, including an Interactive Program Selector that provides visitors with a quick way to identify both funding and volunteer opportunities. In addition, the new site features:

• Stories of Service – Through the stories of real national service participants, visitors can learn first hand about the benefits and experiences gained through service.

• Join Online – Visitors can search by zip code for intensive service opportunities or periodic volunteer opportunities that match their interests and skills.

• Photo Library – An online library of photos is available to the media as well as Corporation grantees for use in articles or publications.

• News from the Field – Visitors can read stories and articles submitted from around the country by local volunteer and service programs.

• Service Calendar – Visitors can search for conferences, trainings, or service events.

• Online Phonebook – Visitors can easily search for the appropriate Corporation contact to answer their specific questions.

• Forms Library – Grantees and program participants can easily find the administrative forms they need to manage their programs.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and countries through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, and to help all Americans answer the President’s Call to Service. For more information, call 202-606-5000 or visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

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