USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network - Find Opportunities Now
Issue 175 - Week of June 23, 2008

Relief and Recovery:
Midwest Floods

The recovery effort from the severe flooding in the Midwest is ongoing. Residents returning to their homes in affected areas are finding exposed electrical wires, contaminated floodwater and weakened structures. Communities are coming together to help those in need, but the recovery effort currently in need of more volunteers.

Find a volunteer opportunity or donate now

Spotlight Volunteer Opportunity

In response to severe flooding in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, the federal AmeriCorps VISTA program is making 230 positions immediately available to assist in flood recovery efforts.

The VISTA members will focus on coordinating flood-relief efforts, identifying the changing needs of the community, expansion of neighborhood resource centers, developing partnerships, building coalitions and securing resources while working in conjunction with city, county, state and federal agencies and organizations to clean up parts of the Corridor area affected by flooding.

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Funding Opportunities

The Corporation for National and Community Service announced plans to make $3.5 million in grants to national organizations that support youth from disadvantaged circumstances. The competition is open to national nonprofit organizations that have ongoing, demonstrable relationships with youth-serving organizations or public school systems in at least 10 states.

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Youth Service America and Disney are pleased to launch a second round of Disney MinnieGrants to engage children and youth, ages 5-14 as community volunteers. The selected applications will receive $500 to support their youth-led service projects. The deadline is August 30 and projects must take place October 15-November 15, 2008. Grantees from the first round of Disney awards of 2008 are eligible to apply.

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Great Outdoors Month Update

June 2008 was officially designated Great Outdoors Month by President Bush and more than half of America’s governors. Saturday, June 14 played host to the first annual Get Outdoors Day event celebrated at 54 locations across the nation in conjunction with Great Outdoors Month. Mrs. Bush showed her support for Great Outdoors Month by attending an Active Trails! event held at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, VT.

Click here to learn more
Click here to read the Presidential proclamation

Although June is coming to an end, the opportunities to enjoy the Great Outdoors are not.

Learn how you can stay active outdoors this summer

You can also use the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network to find outdoor volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Click here and select "Animals & Environment" as your service category.

Help the Survivors of the Gulf Coast Hurricanes

Americans can learn more about volunteer opportunities in their community or hurricane-related opportunities in the Gulf Coast by visiting the USA Freedom Corps website or calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

President Bush Recognizes Furman Student for Dedication to Volunteer Service

President George W. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Andrew Barnhill upon arrival in Greer, South Carolina, on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Barnhill, 20, is a sophomore at Furman University and a volunteer with Heller Service Corps.  Read more

In Other News

President Highlights Impact of Service At White House Faith-Based Conference

Focus Turns to Recovery Efforts in the Midwest as Response Continues in Some Areas

Top Peace Corps Graduate Programs Recognized

Peace Corps Celebrates Father’s Day and Honors Legacies of Volunteerism

Peace Corps and Operation HOPE Form Historic Partnership in South Africa