The Points of Light Foundation and Service For Peace are active collaborators in communities across the country. In addition to focusing on the important work of interfaith dialogue through service, Service For Peace affiliate organization, Universal Peace Federation has supported the Points of Light Alliance for Recovery initiative in the Gulf Coast.



Service For Peace Mission:

Service For Peace is an independent nonprofit organization providing service and learning opportunities through community projects which promote transformational and sustainable personal and community development around the world. We bring together people and partners of diverse faiths, ethnicities, nationalities, generations, and cultures to address profound social needs by discovering commonality and genuine appreciation for differences all through service. We believe that peace begins with the inner peace fostered by service to others and that active cooperation provides the foundation and the real hope for peace.

In September of 2005, approximately $1 million was awarded to 32 volunteer centers across the country for long-term hurricane recovery and for capacity building to prepare for future disasters by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network (POLF/VCNN), a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC.

The grant was made possible through the generous support of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).  Termed the Alliance for Recovery Awards, the grant is managed by Senior Director of Outreach, Rev. Mark Farr, who visited the Gulf states in the aftermath of the hurricane to support the efforts of Volunteer Centers and faith groups in order to alleviate suffering of residents. UPF is an alliance of religious, academic, political and civic leaders using service, education and cross-cultural initiatives to address urgent human needs. The Foundation is proud to be working in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation to build long-term connections between faith groups, community organizations and local Volunteer Centers.

“This grant will focus on efforts to help those affected in the South, but will also seek to support those beyond the directly affected states,” says Robert K. Goodwin, President of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. “It will support Volunteer Centers currently working with faith-based and other community groups to alleviate the suffering of individuals and families affected by the hurricanes.”

The grant has aided thousands of individuals and families through its direct relief efforts, and created capacity-building alliances to provide support in future disasters with hundreds of local faith based and community groups.

Below are some stories from around the country about the grant.

Volunteer Frederick

Volunteer Frederick: Roy Bates enumerates points for students on compliance with FCC regulations in routine and emergency conditions

“It's like they say, 'The president can make you a general, but only communication can make you a commander,' ” Roy Bates, echoes General Curtis LeMay. As Bates, AmeriCorps VISTA with Volunteer Frederick in Frederick, Md., interacted with local agencies, he realized the current communication plans that were established in case of an emergency were weak.

“Most entities we deal with aren't concerned about communications during emergencies,” Bates explains. “They figure, well, we'll use our cell phones.” Bates uses the Pentagon attack on Sept. 11, 2001 and the hurricanes as examples of when cell phones were rendered useless. Agencies such as the Humane Society and the American Red Cross need to have a communication system ready that doesn't include cell phones. The needs of people and animals cannot be met if nobody can communicate. Ham radios are the answer for Volunteer Frederick.

Volunteer Frederick amateur radio course graduates.

With support from the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, Mid-Atlantic DX & Repeater Association and the Alliance for Recovery Awards, Volunteer Frederick was able to organize an amateur radio training. All 29 volunteers who came to the training passed the FCC test for Technician Class Amateur Radio License with flying colors. There are now more radio operators to help the community in case of an emergency.

United Way of Calvert County Volunteer Resource Center

Calvert County: Homeland security and disaster preparation public forum participants

Calvert County: Jacqueline K. Vaughan, Calvert Control Center, Communications Supervisor

Residents of Calvert County, Maryland know what to do in case of disaster thanks to United Way of Calvert County Volunteer Resource Center. Grant funding allowed the Center to launch the Countywide Public Education Campaign.

Partnered with Citizen Corps members and local organizations, the Center hosted a Homeland Security and Disaster Preparation Public Forum. The forum raised pertinent questions about preparation and planning for natural or manmade disasters. Citizens learned how to get involved now and during an emergency situation.

The grant allowed them to videotape the forum and distribute it to Citizen Corps members, local organizations, three public libraries and at the Center's resource library for public lending. It will also be aired on a local cable station for an entire month.

Metro Volunteers

Volunteers: Katrina evacuee drop-in center

Halfway through the grant period, Metro Volunteers, of Denver, Colo., has made large strides in helping the Katrina evacuees in the greater-Denver area. The Volunteer Center established and continues to help operate an Evacuee Drop-In Center where new area residents can get GED courses, job training and evacuee fellowship dinners. At the drop-in center, they find people who care about them and are willing to help them find answers to the tough questions that come with life after devastation.

Metro Volunteers: Katrina evacuee drop-in center

Soon the Center will be training 134 congregations from the Colorado Coalition of Faith. With help from the Alliance for Recovery Award, Metro Volunteers is able to offer a training called “Volunteer Management for Communities of Faith.” This will help congregations plan, manage and effectively mobilize volunteers in emergency situations and on an everyday basis.