In the News
January 17, 2010
In the words of Coretta Scott King, “Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only for celebration and remembrance, education and tribute, but above all a day of service … it is a day
of volunteering to feed the hungry, rehabilitate housing, tutor those who can’t read, mentor at-risk youngsters, console the broken-hearted and a thousand other projects for
building the beloved community of his dream.”
In the wake of this week’s tragic earthquake in Haiti, I can almost hear Dr. King’s voice asking us to serve this Monday on the day that we remember this great man’s life.
In the wake of this week’s tragic earthquake in Haiti, I can almost hear Dr. King’s voice asking us to serve this Monday on the day that we remember this great man’s life.
January 16, 2010
If it weren't for the distinctive 1960s fashion, it would be easy to mistake the picture of the 1963 March on Washington for 2010. The placards in the grainy photo of the
thousands gathered on the national mall express the concerns of the day: jobs, access to quality education, housing.
Fast forward some 45 years and we are a nation that has made remarkable progress on some dimensions of Dr. King's dream, but we are also a nation grappling with the upheaval
Fast forward some 45 years and we are a nation that has made remarkable progress on some dimensions of Dr. King's dream, but we are also a nation grappling with the upheaval
December 14, 2009
As America struggles to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the nation's top priority is finding jobs for the 10 percent of men and women out of
work. An even more staggering figure often gets lost in the debate: four million unemployed people between the ages of 16 and 24, and record teen unemployment of 27%. If the U.S.
wants to make a real dent in unemployment, young people are the place to start - and a sweeping call to national service may be the answer.
December 3, 2009
When Cami Walker of Los Angeles learned three years ago that she had multiple sclerosis, her health and her spirits plummeted — until she got an unusual prescription from a
holistic health educator.
Ms. Walker, now 36, scribbled the idea in her journal. And though she dismissed it at first, after weeks of fatigue, insomnia, pain and preoccupation with her symptoms, she decided to give it a try. The treatment and her experience with it are summed up in the title of her new book, “29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life” (Da Capo Press).
Ms. Walker, now 36, scribbled the idea in her journal. And though she dismissed it at first, after weeks of fatigue, insomnia, pain and preoccupation with her symptoms, she decided to give it a try. The treatment and her experience with it are summed up in the title of her new book, “29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life” (Da Capo Press).
December 1, 2009
There's no surprise that charitable giving is down this year. A recession can make even the most altruistic person pull back.
Fifty-one percent of charitable organizations responding to a poll by the Association of Fundraising Professionals reported lower fundraising totals so far in 2009 compared with the same period last year.
The next several weeks are crucial for the charities; most of them receive anywhere from one-third to half of their overall contributions in the last three months of the year.
Fifty-one percent of charitable organizations responding to a poll by the Association of Fundraising Professionals reported lower fundraising totals so far in 2009 compared with the same period last year.
The next several weeks are crucial for the charities; most of them receive anywhere from one-third to half of their overall contributions in the last three months of the year.
December 1, 2009
A year after the global economy teetered on the verge of collapse, a recession -- a lingering and unwelcome guest -- has settled in at dinner tables across the land.
And while plates are empty at some homes, the lines grow long at organizations like Martha's Table, a nonprofit in the District where a record number of people wait each day for a bit of something -- food or clothing or educational programs -- to see them through.
And while plates are empty at some homes, the lines grow long at organizations like Martha's Table, a nonprofit in the District where a record number of people wait each day for a bit of something -- food or clothing or educational programs -- to see them through.
December 1, 2009
With the economy struggling to recover and our soldiers still battling in two wars, this Thanksgiving will be the bleakest in years in some ways.
So it's very gratifying to report that one bright ray of relief is piercing the gloom. There's been a remarkable surge in the past year in the number of generous souls volunteering to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and otherwise assist nonprofit groups that serve the needy in our region.
So it's very gratifying to report that one bright ray of relief is piercing the gloom. There's been a remarkable surge in the past year in the number of generous souls volunteering to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and otherwise assist nonprofit groups that serve the needy in our region.
November 30, 2009
As we enter this holiday time from Thanksgiving to New Year's, don't forget to include our next generation in this annual time for self-reflection, gratitude, giving and
resolutions.
My holiday season just began with a great kickoff -- Children for Children and Blue Smoke collaborated for a 4th Annual Fall Family FUNraiser. At this free volunteer event,
My holiday season just began with a great kickoff -- Children for Children and Blue Smoke collaborated for a 4th Annual Fall Family FUNraiser. At this free volunteer event,
November 24, 2009
With the economy struggling to recover and our soldiers still battling in two wars, this Thanksgiving will be the bleakest in years in some ways.
So it's very gratifying to report that one bright ray of relief is piercing the gloom. There's been a remarkable surge in the past year in the number of generous souls volunteering to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and otherwise assist nonprofit groups that serve the needy in our region.
So it's very gratifying to report that one bright ray of relief is piercing the gloom. There's been a remarkable surge in the past year in the number of generous souls volunteering to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and otherwise assist nonprofit groups that serve the needy in our region.
November 20, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Constitution Center Board of Trustees announced today that it has appointed David Eisner, former Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, to serve as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center. Eisner succeeds Linda E. Johnson, a
member of the Center's Board of Trustees, who has served as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer since the Board began its national search in January 2009.
November 16, 2009
Cities are in a bind. The recent NLC report on City Fiscal Conditions in 2009 noted that nine out of 10 cities face significant shortfalls in the coming year. In this climate, it is easy to think in “deficit mentality.” However, many cities are tapping into a reservoir of human capital — volunteers — to continue delivering services and driving economic recovery. October 27, 2009
A surge in service in the U.S. has handed the giving sector the huge job of gearing itself to match its needs with those of volunteers.
And as government shifts its investment and role in engaging volunteers, a critical task will be to better match volunteer resources with the urgent social needs facing our communities.
That is the perspective of Michelle Nunn, CEO of the Points of Light Institute, an organization created by then-President George H.W. Bush to boost volunteerism.
And as government shifts its investment and role in engaging volunteers, a critical task will be to better match volunteer resources with the urgent social needs facing our communities.
That is the perspective of Michelle Nunn, CEO of the Points of Light Institute, an organization created by then-President George H.W. Bush to boost volunteerism.
October 20, 2009
Volunteerism in the United States has jumped 33 percent since 1989, according to Points of Light Institute, from about one in every five Americans to more than one in every four participating last year.
That's 23 million more people chipping in, for a total of nearly 62 million nationwide.
That's 23 million more people chipping in, for a total of nearly 62 million nationwide.
October 20, 2009
When Michelle Nunn was just out of college in 1989, she became what she calls the "glorified intern-slash-executive director" of a volunteer organization in Atlanta that was created by a dozen people who chipped in $50 each.
Today, Ms. Nunn presides over a nonprofit group with a $30-million-plus budget and more than 250 affiliates across the country — and she is one of the most visible faces of the country's burgeoning movement to promote volunteerism and national service.
Today, Ms. Nunn presides over a nonprofit group with a $30-million-plus budget and more than 250 affiliates across the country — and she is one of the most visible faces of the country's burgeoning movement to promote volunteerism and national service.
October 14, 2009
Demand, idealism and presidential impact are leading American volunteerism to its third and most important stage - the movement of service to a central role in our national priorities. Boomers and teens are leading a record surge in overall volunteering even as millions of Americans are unemployed, homeless or hungry, and longer-term economic and social challenges mount.