Partner of Year 2006

National Engineers Week Future City Competition

The Future City Competition's mission is to provide an educational outreach program that highlights and involves the engineering profession. It is accomplished through the creation of a "Future City" where a team of middle school students working with an engineer-mentor create a design using SimCity software, build a physical scale model using recycled materials, write an essay and a short abstract on an assigned engineering challenge, and conduct a presentation before a panel of judges. The program founded in 1992 reaches more than 1000 registered schools on an annual basis, touching the lives of more than 30,000 middle school students through a network of 7,500 volunteers.

As a result of the Connect America collaboration the Future City Competition has established significant relationships in 9 of the 37 outreach regions with other Connect America partners, specifically Shell Oil Company and the Salvation Army. Shell Oil Company has provided engineer judges, keynote speakers and financial support. Through Shell’s support both at the national and regional levels, the outreach capacity for those regional programs directly involved with the collaboration has increased. The increased capacity results in a greater outreach to the middle school population in the following states and regions: Louisiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX and Houston, TX. Additionally, there is a working partnership with the Salvation Army and the Phoenix regional competition.

The primary activity involved is placing practicing or retired engineers into the classroom over a period of three months to mentor the student team as they vision, create and build their "Future City." Working with the teacher and students, the engineer is able to bring the "realities" of problem solving by creating "engineering type" solutions using math and science principles and skills, while creating city infrastructure, such as energy resources, transportation systems, housing, economic development and environmental issues. The students are exposed to the engineers' roles in creating and maintaining quality of life as related to water and air quality through this endeavor –thus a tremendous social learning exposure on many academic levels.

Partner of the Year 2005

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)/Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC)

Over the past four years, IRS/SPEC has developed a Community Based Partnership model that links Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach and free tax preparation to asset building strategies for low-income families. To date, over 290 local EITC partnerships or coalitions have been developed. For fi ling season 2005, IRS partners fi led over 2 million tax returns for this target population free of charge. Additionally, these efforts have provided millions of low-income families valuable information on refundable credits available to them through the tax code and has linked thousands of families to asset building opportunities.

SPEC's outreach programs are geared to help low-income, elderly, disabled and limited English proficient individuals and families. SPEC develops free tax preparation services for these groups under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

Since becoming a Connect America partner in 2002, SPEC has collaborated with several other Connect America Partners in the development of this Community Based Partnership model both nationally and locally. As the model continues to evolve and expand, SPEC’s relationship with Connect America Partners continues to grow. SPEC is currently focusing on the fi nancial literacy/asset piece of the model and is relying on the expertise of Connect America Partners — United Way of America, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Salvation Army and Volunteer Center Network to help frame this work.

The IRS and Connect America Partners (VFW, Volunteer Center National Network and AARP Tax-Aide) have created a unique partnership to provide economic empowerment opportunities specifi cally for disabled veterans. The IRS will provide the expertise on the free tax assistance piece of the strategy. Other partner organizations in this effort are the National Disability Institute, the Points of Light Foundation and the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.

Partner of the Year 2004

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Honors and inspires academic excellence and engaged citizenship for a lifetime.

Founded in 1994 at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, NSCS has over 200 chapters on college and university campuses across the United States. Members are involved in a variety of opportunities including scholarships and awards, leadership development activities, and service programs.

An invitation to join NSCS is extended to students who have excelled academically during the first and second years of college. When a student becomes a member of NSCS, he or she joins a community that includes some of the top students from around the nation.

Since joining the Connect America network in 2001, NSCS has sought to collaborate and/or develop partnerships with organizations that can provide their members with opportunities to lead through service in the community. NSCS has helped meet the volunteer needs of a variety of Connect America Partner Organizations, which in turn, have made available a number of benefits and services for members and chapters. This has enabled NSCS and its partners to complement each other's missions and goals.

As an organization, NSCS has learned that the benefits and outcomes of a successful partnership far outweigh the sum of its parts. The partnerships and strategic alliances formed through Connect America have enabled them to further their commitment to conduct activities that build public awareness about volunteering and recognizing volunteers; in the result has been an increase in the number of NSCS members engaged in community service activities locally in the campus community, as well as nationally.

Furthermore, NSCS members have opportunities to apply their skills and talents outside of the classroom in a practical setting, while playing an active part in helping communities respond to calls to action around significant social problems. NSCS believes that this sort of practical application is key to enhancing the undergraduate experience and instilling a lifelong commitment to citizenship and civic engagement.

The NSCS was honored for collaborating with other Connect America Partners such as AARP, America's Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, First Book, Habitat for Humanity, Internal Revenue Service, and the National Wildlife Federation.

Partner of the Year 2003

First Book
The mission of First Book is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.

Through its 150 Local Advisory Boards, First Book engages a wide spectrum of volunteer leaders to alleviate illiteracy and make books accessible to low-income children across the country. In the last two years alone, First Book has provided almost 15 million new books to children in need in hundreds of communities nationwide. First Book has two subsidiaries, First Book National Book Bank and First Artists, which is a program that inspires creative expression by using the First Book model to provide art supplies to children from low-income families.

First Book has successfully leveraged relationships with a wide variety of Partners at both the National and Local levels. Some of the Partners include Communities In Schools, Kiwanis, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, VFW, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Association of Junior Leagues International, National Football League Charities, United Way of America, and the YMCA of the USA.

A Partner since 2000, First Book has also shown great leadership and commitment to Connect America. In addition to reaching out to Partners with similar missions for mutually beneficial partnerships, First Book has also been an exemplary communicator and advocate of Connect America by sharing information with both internal and external constituents and Partners. Lynda Lancaster, Senior Vice President of National Outreach for First Book provides leadership to Connect America through her service on the Connect America Partner Council.

To learn more about First Book, visit www.firstbook.org.

Partner of the Year 2003, Honorable Mention

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice
The mission of National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) is to act upon the needs, concerns, and contributions of African Americans and other people of color as they relate to the administration of equal justice.

NABCJ is a multiethnic, nonpartisan, nonprofit association of criminal justice professionals and community leaders dedicated to improving the administration of justice. The Association was founded as a vehicle by which criminal justice practitioners could initiate positive change from within, while increasing opportunities for the average citizen to better understand the nature and the operation of our local, state and federal criminal justice processes.

NABCJ has worked with many Connect America Partners including Volunteers of America, National Fatherhood Initiative, National Crime Prevent Council, National Council of LaRaza, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, Habitat for Humanity International, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Corporation for National and Community Service, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Child Welfare League of America, Points of Light Foundation, Women In Community Service, Kellogg Foundation, 100 Black Men of America, US Dream Academy, and Character Counts.

These partnerships range from sharing information and promoting volunteerism to developing trainings and programs that address issues of mentoring for children of offenders, problems associated with over incarceration, reentry and family fragmentation resulted from crime and imprisonment.

Partner of the Year 2002

March of Dimes
The mission of the March of Dimes (MOD) is to prevent birth defects and infant mortality. MOD carries out this mission through programs of research, community service, health education, and advocacy.

As the only partner that focuses exclusively on maternal & infant health, MOD has led Connect America in initiatives and programs seeking to benefit mothers and babies nationwide. MOD has used programs like its Folic Acid Campaign, Insure Kids Now, and the Mission L.I.F.T. (Mission: Leading Into the Future Together) program to aid other Connect America Partners in achieving their goals, while also working to prevent birth defects and infant mortality.

MOD has formed and maintains numerous innovative, successful, and mutually beneficial partnerships with many Connect America Partners, including General Federation of Women's Clubs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), U.S. Junior Chambers of Commerce, and the Association of Junior Leagues International. As part of its Folic Acid Campaign, MOD joined the National Council on LaRaza on the National Council on Folic Acid.

MOD has demonstrated commitment to Connect America through its support of Connect America national efforts by hosting meetings and by attending and supporting Connect America-sponsored events. By sharing information among its constituents and the general public through its website, publications, and trainings, MOD has created awareness about Connect America. MOD has worked extensively to recruit new Connect America partners, as in the case of FBLA. Carolyn Pizzuto, March of Dimes National Director of Volunteer & Staff Development, provides leadership to Connect America through her service on the Connect America Partner Council.

To learn more about March of Dimes, please visit www.modimes.org

TelecomPioneers
TelecomPioneers aims to provide rewarding community service experiences and fellowship opportunities for all their employees, retirees, partners, and families. TelecomPioneers' goal is to provide value to sponsoring companies by generating brand visibility, building teamwork, and developing leadership skills of employees, and demonstrating the corporate social commitment. TelecomPioneers works to enable life members to maintain strong ties to their sponsoring companies. In addition, TelecomPioneers aims to be well known as volunteers meeting a variety of community needs, with a special emphasis on education. Pioneers have proven to be very active participants in the "Seasons of Service" opportunities for volunteering. A family-oriented community service organization, Pioneers have particularly embraced National Family Volunteer Week as one of their annual events. In 2001 four Pioneer teams received the Connect America/JOIN HANDS DAY (JHD) awards, which has resulted in an ongoing and growing relationship with JOIN HANDS DAY. This year, Pioneer and JHD collaborated to promote JHD within the Pioneers in order to further the cause of both organizations. In addition, Pioneers have demonstrated leadership through its responsiveness to the Connect America initiatives through active participation in Connect America events, programs, and initiatives. Jim Gadd, Executive Director and COO of TelecomPioneers, continues to serve on the Connect America Partner Council and is a dedicated leader within Connect America through his ready involvement and participation in board meetings and through his promotion of the program to Pioneers.

To learn more about TelecomPioneers, please visit www.telecompioneers.org

Partners of the Year—2001

Mothers Against Drunk Driving
The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking.

MADD is the nation's leader in the fight against drunk driving. Since its founding in 1980, over 183,000 lives have been saved by its work. Drunk driving fatalities have decreased by 40%, more than 2,300 anti-drunk driving laws have been passed, public awareness has been heightened, and thousands of victims of the violent crime of drunk driving have received assistance.

MADD has collaborated with Connect America National Partner, Association for Volunteer Administration, in cross-market advertising. MADD also participated with the Wal-Mart Foundation in "Make a Difference Day," where MADD provided information at Wal-Mart stores, conducted communication campaigns, and provided a crash-car "visual" for parade use.

MADD joined Connect America in November of 1999 and is always on the lookout for National Partners for all projects . It has continuously encouraged over 600 local entities to partner with fellow Connect America member affiliates and has spread the message of Connect America to other organizations.

One of the many efforts of MADD to highlight Connect America came by way of Connect America contact and National Conference Planning Committee member, Lawrence Hood, and his volunteer management newsletter article entitled "If You Want the Grass to Grow…You have to Water It!!!" released in January 2001 to www.CyberVPM.com

National Fraternal Congress of America
The mission of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is to promote the general welfare of the fraternal benefit system by uniting fraternal benefit societies in matters of mutual concern and public interest.

NFCA has primarily connected to other Connect America Partners through its support of a new national day of volunteering, "JOIN HANDS DAY" (JHD). Nearly a dozen organizations, including American Red Cross, AmeriCorps Alums, Future Business Leaders of America, Civil Air Patrol and VFW have joined to share JHD information with their members, promote the event in their publications and direct people to NFCA's web site. These relationships are effective in that they expose the different groups to new and potentially important alliances.

NFCA has been represented on the National Partner Council of Connect America since 1997. NFCA demonstrated its commitment to Connect America in a variety of capacities including International Year of Volunteers 2001 US. NFCA also promotes Connect America in its publications, public relations and media initiatives, and association presentations and meetings.

Project America has established two collaborative relationships in the past year alone as a direct result of its connection with Connect America. Project America forged a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) to involve another Project America partner, Sigma Phi Epsilon, with BBBS local affiliates. In the first six months at the seven pilot sites, Project America recruited more than 300 volunteers for local BBBS affiliates. Project America also collaborated with "Make a Difference Day" - recruiting over 150,000 college students and young people for this day of service and serving on the Make A Difference Day Advisory Board in 2001.

Project America is an example of a vibrant organization mobilized to serve and devoted to the continuation and expansion of its current efforts. It continues to promote Connect America to potential partners and in media initiatives, works with the Connect America National Conference Planning Committee, and supports Connect America-sponsored events nationally.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international organization with the mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs.

The Salvation Army established cooperative initiatives with other Connect America National Partners. One such alliance with First Book has targeted distribution of new books to children at after school programs, summer and day camps, child-care centers, shelters, transitional housing, community centers and holiday distribution sites. Aside from being a book repository and distribution center, The Salvation Army has partnered with First Book for several national "Make a Difference Day" projects. Additionally, many local Salvation Army units serve on First Book advisory boards.

Successful results are also expected from The Salvation Army's current collaboration with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for "JOIN HANDS DAY." The local level connections made in support of this project suggest a fruitful and long-lasting affiliation beyond this initiative between these two organizations.

The Salvation Army has supported Connect America's national efforts by hosting meetings, attending and supporting Connect America-sponsored events, and providing publicity in their national publications about Connect America. Rhonda Bollwahn served in the IYV 2001 US Committee and continues to serve on a number of Connect America committees.

The Salvation Army's model of partnership has been mutually rewarding for all parties. Its ability to connect persons in need with resource providers such as First Book attests to the strength of this model.

Partners of the Year—2000

Scholarship America

2000-Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.