...we're going to the National Conference on Service and Volunteering in New York City! I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to engage with other Volunteer Coordinators and Managers from around the country, mostly to learn and grow both the Volunteer Program at CMCA and to grow myself as a Volunteer Coordinator. The conference promises to be a huge educational and networking opportunity. Plus, it's in New York City!
I will be attending the conference with two other individuals from my agency: Angela Hirsch, our Community Services Director and Ann Gilchrist, our Foster Grandparents Program Director. Between the three of us, we will be able to attend several different sessions on all things volunteerism. I'm mostly excited to attend the sessions regarding working with diverse communities and measuring the value of community volunteers.
Speaking of measuring the value of community volunteers, did you know that if you count the hours that volunteers in every capacity worked with Central Missouri Community Action during our 2009 fiscal year (October 2008 - September 2009) and you measure those at minimum wage dollar value, volunteers contributed $827,957?!
Incredible, huh? And that's really nothing compared to the actual value of the work they have accomplished. From painting walls to running board meetings, our volunteers are the glue that's holding Community Action together!
Check back with us soon for more updates about volunteering here in Central Missouri! If you have a story to tell, let me know and we'll get you posted on the blog. And, don't forget to check out our Executive Director's blog for updates on what CMCA is doing in Central Missouri to address poverty!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
From our Community Services Supervisor in Monituea County:
Emily Altheuser, Central Missouri Community Action's Community Services Supervisor in Moniteau County, passed along a volunteer opportunity that is very close to her heart that I wanted to share with the community:
Build Brigade in Columbia, MO for SSG Robert Canine!
April 9, 10 & 11
5500 Saddleridge Drive Columbia, MO!
What is a Build Brigade?
We will be in Columbia, MO for a 3 day Homes for Our Troops event where hundreds of professional volunteers will erect a home starting with the bare foundation on the first day. By the end of the last day, we have interior walls framed, windows installed, doors hung, roof shingled and siding installed!
After the Build Brigade the house is a weather tight shell. We will then start the interior work and move towards completing the special home for the SSG Canine & His Family!
http://www.homesforourtroops.org/Canine
Non-Construction, Community Volunteer Opportunities!
Non- construction related volunteers are just as important as our professional builders! You make this event a success and we are sending out this call to action to join us by becoming a Key Volunteer or assisting in another way.
Please contact me if you will help with any item on the list!
Doreen Lewis, Community Outreach Coordinator, dlewis@homesforourtroops.org - or by phone 508-823-3300
There are many other volunteer opportunities with Homes for Our Troops, so if you want to get involved, check out their website! This is an excellent opportunity to serve not only your neighbors and the community, but the whole country!
Build Brigade in Columbia, MO for SSG Robert Canine!
April 9, 10 & 11
5500 Saddleridge Drive Columbia, MO!
What is a Build Brigade?
We will be in Columbia, MO for a 3 day Homes for Our Troops event where hundreds of professional volunteers will erect a home starting with the bare foundation on the first day. By the end of the last day, we have interior walls framed, windows installed, doors hung, roof shingled and siding installed!
After the Build Brigade the house is a weather tight shell. We will then start the interior work and move towards completing the special home for the SSG Canine & His Family!
http://www.homesforourtroops.org/Canine
Non-Construction, Community Volunteer Opportunities!
Non- construction related volunteers are just as important as our professional builders! You make this event a success and we are sending out this call to action to join us by becoming a Key Volunteer or assisting in another way.
Please contact me if you will help with any item on the list!
Doreen Lewis, Community Outreach Coordinator, dlewis@homesforourtroops.org - or by phone 508-823-3300
There are many other volunteer opportunities with Homes for Our Troops, so if you want to get involved, check out their website! This is an excellent opportunity to serve not only your neighbors and the community, but the whole country!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Community Coordinator for Circles Spotlight!
Tia Felts, CMCA's Community Coordinator for the Circles program in Boone County, was recently spotlighted in a "Movers and Shakers" forum through Prudential!
Circles is a high impact strategy designed to eliminate poverty. It focuses on the issue of social factors associated with poverty and offers opportunities to develop intentional, positive relationships across race and class lines. Circles intends to increase the social capital of families with low income so that they have the capacity to improve their situations.
Each Circles initiative consists of families working to establish financial security, called a Circle Leader, and several middle and upper income Allies who befriend them and lend support. Both the participating families and Allies work through parallel curricula to learn about poverty in the US, the hidden rules of class, community planning and involvement, and resource development. With this foundation in place, a reciprocal relationship built on trust, support, and friendship can be developed, participants can expand their social network within their communities, and emotional and financial stability can be sought.
Circles is a project that is truly transforming lives - not only the lives of low-income families in mid-Missouri, but the overall vitality of our communities. During weekly meetings, Circles members discuss issues that deeply affect our communities, from parenting skills and neighborhood safety to addressing the effects of payday loans.
For more information about Circles or to get involved either as a Circle Leader or as an Ally, contact Colita Harvey (Circle Leaders) at Colita-Harvey@showmeaction.org or 573-443-8731, ext. 214 or Tia Felts (Allies) at Tia-Felts@showmeaction.org or 573-443-8731, ext. 213!
Circles is a high impact strategy designed to eliminate poverty. It focuses on the issue of social factors associated with poverty and offers opportunities to develop intentional, positive relationships across race and class lines. Circles intends to increase the social capital of families with low income so that they have the capacity to improve their situations.
Each Circles initiative consists of families working to establish financial security, called a Circle Leader, and several middle and upper income Allies who befriend them and lend support. Both the participating families and Allies work through parallel curricula to learn about poverty in the US, the hidden rules of class, community planning and involvement, and resource development. With this foundation in place, a reciprocal relationship built on trust, support, and friendship can be developed, participants can expand their social network within their communities, and emotional and financial stability can be sought.
Circles is a project that is truly transforming lives - not only the lives of low-income families in mid-Missouri, but the overall vitality of our communities. During weekly meetings, Circles members discuss issues that deeply affect our communities, from parenting skills and neighborhood safety to addressing the effects of payday loans.
For more information about Circles or to get involved either as a Circle Leader or as an Ally, contact Colita Harvey (Circle Leaders) at Colita-Harvey@showmeaction.org or 573-443-8731, ext. 214 or Tia Felts (Allies) at Tia-Felts@showmeaction.org or 573-443-8731, ext. 213!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Bon Jovi Sings for Service!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Now Recruiting Volunteer Men!
Central Missouri Community Action is proud to announce the 100 Man Lunch, to be held on March 11th in Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, and Osage counties!
On Thursday March 11th, CMCA Head Start, a comprehensive child care program, will host its Sixth Annual 100-Man Lunch event throughout Central Missouri. The event was established in 2004 to celebrate the importance of male role models in the lives of children. Because male involvement is linked to the success of pre-school age children, fathers, grandfathers, and uncles are being invited to have lunch with their young family members to celebrate the influence they have had on their children. CMCA is also encouraging the participation of community leaders to provide support to the young children that may not have a positive male role model that can attend. These leaders are also invited to inspire all of our children to reach their full potential.
This event brings together men from a variety of professions including, politicians, policemen, firemen, doctors, teachers, and athletes. “Last year over 500 men ate lunch with our kids. Our goal is to have one male participant per child. We serve 575 children throughout our service area, so we need the support of our communities,” says Mernell King, Early Education Director for CMCA. Please contact Head Start to inspire a child and reserve a plate today.
For information about Head Start sites in your county, contact CMCA's Volunteer Coordinator at Megan-Lee@showmeaction.org or 573-442-6837, ext. 25 OR contact Head Start's Administrative Offices at 573-443-8706.
On Thursday March 11th, CMCA Head Start, a comprehensive child care program, will host its Sixth Annual 100-Man Lunch event throughout Central Missouri. The event was established in 2004 to celebrate the importance of male role models in the lives of children. Because male involvement is linked to the success of pre-school age children, fathers, grandfathers, and uncles are being invited to have lunch with their young family members to celebrate the influence they have had on their children. CMCA is also encouraging the participation of community leaders to provide support to the young children that may not have a positive male role model that can attend. These leaders are also invited to inspire all of our children to reach their full potential.
This event brings together men from a variety of professions including, politicians, policemen, firemen, doctors, teachers, and athletes. “Last year over 500 men ate lunch with our kids. Our goal is to have one male participant per child. We serve 575 children throughout our service area, so we need the support of our communities,” says Mernell King, Early Education Director for CMCA. Please contact Head Start to inspire a child and reserve a plate today.
For information about Head Start sites in your county, contact CMCA's Volunteer Coordinator at Megan-Lee@showmeaction.org or 573-442-6837, ext. 25 OR contact Head Start's Administrative Offices at 573-443-8706.
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