"Fifteen million children in America need a mentor or a role model in their lives. Surely there are 15 million caring adults who can fill that need. People who need help getting started can go to the website www.usafreedomcorps.gov, which has the largest online clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities ever created."

First Lady Laura Bush
Remarks on Helping America's Youth
Portland, Oregon
 April 28, 2005

During National Volunteer Week, the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program saw tremendous growth. Throughout the month of April, nearly 2,000 new certifying organizations registered to recognize their volunteers with the Award. Since the program's inception two years ago, nearly 10,000 organizations have recognized more than 240,000 deserving Americans on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

“The President’s Volunteer Service Award not only celebrates the efforts of our country’s most dedicated volunteers, but it also serves as a mechanism for organizations to build public awareness for their existing volunteer efforts - while inspiring new volunteers to join them,” said Kari Dunn, Executive Director of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Awards are given to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. Lifetime achievement is recognized with a special President's Call to Service Award, which honors those who have provided more than 4,000 hours of service over the course of their lifetime.

For more information about the President’s Volunteer Service Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.
 

• FIRST LADY DISCUSSES HELPING AMERICA'S YOUTH IN OREGON.  On Thursday, April 28, Mrs. Laura Bush visited the Friends of the Children Program in Portland, Oregon to promote the President’s Helping America’s Youth initiative. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that all children in America grow up with a caring adult in their lives. In Portland, Los Angeles, and Oakland, Mrs. Bush discussed the integral role that mentoring and volunteer programs play in helping children achieve healthy futures....
  click here to read the Mrs. Bush's remarks
   
• FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ENGAGE BOOMERS IN SERVICE, MENTOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH. The Corporation for National and Community Service is encouraging organizations to apply for approximately $1.5 million in grant funds to support "the next generation" of national service programs. The special competition will support organizations meeting community needs that have not previously received Corporation support. “We are committed to finding new ways to use national and community service to capitalize on untapped resources and respond to critical national problems,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation....
  click here to read the full article

• PRESIDENT BUSH RECOGNIZES TEXAS WOMAN FOR DEDICATION TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE. President George W. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Dorothy Paterson upon his arrival in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, April 26, 2005.  Paterson is a volunteer with several community organizations including Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Pink Ribbons Project, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.....
  click here to read the full article

VISIT WWW.USAFREEDOMCORPSKIDS.GOV

Visit the new USA Freedom Corps Kids website, designed to show elementary and middle school students how they can start making a difference by volunteering. www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov also includes resources, ideas, and information to help parents and teachers engage America’s youth in their communities.

FIND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES NOW

Americans of all ages are serving others in countless ways, by mentoring a child, caring for an elderly neighbor, teaching someone to read, or donating food and clothing to those who need them. No matter where you live or what interests you, you can find ways to volunteer in your community or overseas.

To find a volunteer opportunity, please click here.

THANK YOU

Thank you for expressing interest in volunteer service. When you help your neighbors, you help your Nation. You can make a difference.

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The mission of the USA Freedom Corps is to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility.

www.usafreedomcorps.gov
1-877-USA-CORPS

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