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Serve Michigan Update
A program of the ConnectMichigan Alliance
Issue #9
May 10, 2006
- Push for $80 Million for Mentoring
- Leaders Unveil Plan to Close Mentoring Gap
- Voices for National Service Calls for Action as Pressure Mounts to Cut ational Service Funding
- National Service Recognizes Several Michigan Programs
- Silver Scholarships
- Funding for NCCC Hurricane Relief
- 2006 Governor’s Service Awards
- Celebrating Volunteerism 2006
- Case Foundation Offers Youth Service Resources
- Join Hands Day Excellence Awards Are Available
Push for $80 Million for Mentoring
We would like to thank all those who contacted their Representatives and Senators urging them to sign on to letters to the Appropriators asking for their support for $80 million in funding for mentoring in FY 2007. 29 Representatives and 26 Senators signed on to their respective letters.
The deadline for singing on to the appropriations letters has passed. However, we still need your help in securing support in the House and Senate for the $80 million for mentoring grants in FY2007 ($40 million for Mentoring Programs, and $40 million for Mentoring Children of Prisoners). By securing this funding level, it would ensure continued funding support current mentoring grant recipients and make funding available for new grants.
Please contact your Representative of Senator asking for their support of greater funds for mentoring. You can do so by using the ready-made letter asking for their support on this website: http://capwiz.com/mentor/issues/alert/?alertid=8715746&type=CO.
Leaders Unveil Plan to Close Mentoring Gap
Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service and MENTOR, leaders from the government, nonprofit sector and corporations launched a nationwide program to close the mentoring gap. They also unveiled a comprehensive blueprint of their plan of action, announced a new ‘Federal Mentoring Council,’ and shared commitments by Fortune 500 companies to find a mentor for every child that needs one. An initial target of 3 million additional mentoring relationships by 2010 was set.
MENTOR unveiled the National Agenda for Action: How to Close America’s Mentoring Gap. The Agenda is available at http://www.cns.gov/leaving.asp?http://www.mentoring.org/
leaders/agenda_for_action/.
Voices for National Service Calls for Action as Pressure Mounts to Cut National Service Funding
Voices for National Service supports a robust appropriation for the Corporation for National and Community Service's core programs, including the three programs the Administration has proposed to cut in FY07: AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and the National Civilian Community Corps. Voices for National Service is urging Congress to restore these programs to their Fiscal Year 2004 level so they can respond to community needs and Americans' desire to serve. We support funding for the three programs at the following levels:
AmeriCorps: $441M
Learn and Serve America: $43M
National Civilian Community Corps: $26M
For information on the CNCS budget, go to: www.voicesforservice.org/action.htm
National Service Recognizes Several Michigan Programs
The Corporation for National and Community Service has recently recognized several Michigan programs in its weekly E-Clips. E-Clips highlights various community service efforts from around the country. To view the E-Clips visit www.nationalservice.gov. To suggest a news story to share for recognition, email e-clips@cns.gov.
New York Congresswoman Velazquez has drafted a bill to bring the Silver Scholarships to older volunteers. The Scholarships are transferable education awards. Any older volunteer entitled to the scholarship may be nominated for $1000 in funds for volunteering at least 600 hours in a twelve month period.
Funding for NCCC Hurricane Relief
The US Senate recently passed HR 4939, the FY 2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill. The bill primarily includes a spending package for the war efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq and recovery and reconstruction efforts in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. The bill includes $20 million earmarked for the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to continue disaster relief work through August 2007.
2006 Governor’s Service Awards
On Saturday May 20th, the Governor’s Service Awards will honor and celebrate Michigan volunteers. You are invited to join Governor Granholm, actor Jeff Daniels, and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern for a fun-filled night of entertainment and recognition.
The event will be held at 7pm on Saturday May 20th at the Fox Theatre (2211 Woodward, Detroit, MI, 48201). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc.
More than 150 volunteers, legislators, and volunteer supporters assembled at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing on April 19 for the first ever "Celebrating Volunteerism" event. Individual volunteers provided testimony on the differences being made in their communities through volunteer efforts, legislators commented on their respective roles in promoting volunteerism, and special guests urged all present to continue their involvement in and advocacy for volunteers across the state. First Gentleman Dan Mulhern presented Governor Granholm’s proclamation declaring the week of April 23, 2006 as Michigan Volunteer Week, and awards were presented to 11 legislators and 1 Supreme Court justice for their constant and hard-fought support of policy and initiatives that strengthen and promote volunteerism. (For details and photos, go to: www.connectmichiganalliance.org/enewsletter0406.asp#cel2006)
Award/Awardees included:
Volunteer Spirit Award ~ For outstanding leadership in advocacy of organizations that support volunteers in Michigan
Senator Mark Schauer - D – 19th District (Battle Creek)
Senator Valde Garcia – R – 22nd District (Howell)
Mentor Award ~ For exemplary leadership in promoting and supporting mentoring by Michigan Citizens
Senator Wayne Kuipers – R – 30th District (Holland)
Justice Maura Corrigan – Supreme Court Justice
Service Educator Award ~ For dedication to advancing service-learning throughout Michigan’s education community
Representative Hoon-Yung Hopgood – D – 22nd District (Taylor)
Representative Brenda Clack – D – 34th District (Flint)
Generation Award ~ For steadfast commitment to volunteers who seek to engage Michigan seniors in service to others
Representative Gary Newell - R - 87th District (Saranac)
Senator Mike Prusi – D – 38th District (Ishpeming)
National Service Champion Award ~ For outstanding leadership and advocacy of national service in Michigan
Representative Steve Tobocman – D – 12th District (Detroit)
Senator Tony Stamas – R – 36th District (Midland)
Servant Leadership Award ~ For life-long dedication to citizen service and for outstanding leadership in advancing service, volunteerism and civic engagement in Michigan
Senator Shirley Johnson – R – 13th District (Troy)
Senator Bob Emerson – D – 27th District (Flint)
Case Foundation Offers Youth Service Resources
The Case Foundation is offering new resources for youth service. This website seeks to spotlight and connect the people and the initiatives that are bringing sustainable solutions to complex social problems. Content on the site includes spotlights on youth service, alternative spring break resources, tips and resources about how to get involved, articles on youth service, tools to track volunteer hours, and more. For more information, please visit www.casefoundation.org/web/guest/spotlight/youthservice_ysa.
Join Hands Day Excellence Awards Are Available
Join Hands Day is a national day of volunteering that brings youth and adults together to improve their own communities. A benefit of the day comes through the friendships that will be made across generations. The new partnerships will be an important first step in bringing more young people into leadership roles in many organizations. Ten awardees are selected from thousands of volunteer projects that develop youth and adult partnerships on Join Hands Day. Each award-winning project receives a $1,000 check and an engraved glass award. For more information, please visit www.joinhandsday.org/scripts/awards_excellence_index.cfm.