Serve Virginia

In her retirement, Barbara Johnson found herself with too much time on her hands, so she got involved in the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program at Senior Connections, which matches older adults with children who need additional support. Barbara serves as a Foster Grandparent at a local day care and at the BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO RICHMOND, where the youth that she works with range from 9 months old to 15 years old. “I treat them like they’re my grandchildren. A lot of them need that," says Barbara. "I’m giving to the kids but, also, it’s getting me out of the house and I get a chance to use my brain.” Learn more and get inspired by Barbara's Story of Service: https://buff.ly/4dVGwq5 #FosterGrandparents #FosterGrandma #AmeriCorpsSeniors #AmeriCorps30 #AmeriCorpsWorks AmeriCorps

As I soon conclude my term as Chair of the Virginia Governor’s Advisory Board on Service & Volunteerism, I am immensely proud of the Serve Virginia team and the impact of AmeriCorps members throughout the Commonwealth this past year. #Volunteer #GetThingsDone

Whether you serve older adults through volunteerism or nonprofit work, engage older adults in your AmeriCorps program, have older adults in your family, or are an older adult yourself, the National Town Hall on Scams and Older Adults on Wednesday, October 30 from 1:00–2:00 PM ET is a free opportunity to learn more about risks of and protections against scams and financial exploitation. Presented jointly by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), AARP, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), this virtual event will feature: • Real-life examples of elder financial exploitation that illustrate how it can happen to anyone as they grow older • Money Smart for Older Adults, an easy-to-use curriculum from the CFPB and FDIC that helps people avoid, prevent, and respond to scams • Findings from AARP research report on Blame and Shame in the Context of Financial Fraud • Five things you can do right now to help prevent scams and financial exploitation Learn more and register to attend: https://buff.ly/4cXiNEN #OlderAdults #NationalTownHall

🚨 Get the Basics 🚨 Wednesday, Sept 18, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET If you want to put your passions into action, gain professional experience, or make a difference in your community, then this webinar is for you! RSVP today and learn how the VISTA program can help you reach your goals and develop skills needed to take your next step in life. Meanwhile lives are changed and communities are strengthened. 💪 Register here: Bit.ly/VISTAGetTheBasics #AmeriCorpsVISTA #AmeriCorps #Webinar #MakeADifference #Community #Internship #GapYear

📣 Announcing our new Volunteer Engagement Toolbox! This is a series of resource guides intended to empower people with strategies and insights to mobilize volunteers, from recruitment and retention to employee volunteerism, trust-building, and innovations in the field. Informed by the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI), which provides data-driven answers to critical questions about how volunteers engage in communities across the Commonwealth, the Volunteer Engagement Toolbox offers evidence-based recommendations that can help support your work. Explore and share the Volunteer Engagement Toolbox at https://buff.ly/3z851Bl #VolunteerEngagement #InnovationsInVolunteerism #VirginiaVolunteers #Volunteerism #VolunteerRecruitment #VolunteerRetention

Join us in celebrating today as a National Day of Service. Across the Commonwealth, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and others are joining together to host National Day of Service projects honoring 9/11 Remembrance Day in their communities. Serve Virginia and the Virginia Service Foundation support these efforts through Day of Service Mini Grants but we also want to help amplify other service projects that engage community members in volunteerism. Comment below to share how you're honoring 9/11 in your community through service and volunteerism. #ServeVirginia #VirginiaVolunteers #911DayOfService

🎉Congratulations to the 12 organizations across Virginia that have been selected to receive 9/11 Day of Service Mini Grants from the Virginia Service Foundation: • FRANKLIN COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION (Rocky Mount) • GoochlandCares (Goochland) • Health Brigade, formerly Fan Free Clinic (Richmond) • Huddle Up Moms (Roanoke) • Kids Give Back (Annandale) • King of Kings Lutheran Church Dulles South (Fairfax) • Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area (Winchester) • Shenandoah University Center for Civic Engagement (Winchester) • SOAR365 (Richmond) • Start 1 Spark (Henrico) • Virginia Living Museum (Newport News) • WHITE HALL RURITAN CLUB INC Club (White Hall) Learn more about the grantees and their funded service projects at https://buff.ly/3XhLu9A #VirginiaVolunteers #911DayOfService #NationalDayOfService

Mitzi Coles recently completed two service terms and is beginning her third term as an AmeriCorps member at The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), within their Dan River Year AmeriCorps program, which is dedicated to addressing community needs in Southern Virginia. When Mitzi first joined the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program, it was a big adjustment but her experience there has helped her develop a new-found confidence and sense of direction in her life. "AmeriCorps and IALR have become a beacon of light for me," says Mitzi. "I have been searching all of my life to discover my life purpose and working with AmeriCorps is in alignment with my life direction.” Get inspired by Mitzi's Story of Service at https://buff.ly/4cSyFIo #AmeriCorps30 #AmeriCorpsWorks #NationalServiceinVirginia

Serve Virginia staff will be speaking at the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) 2024 Champions for Youth Summit! Join us in Reston later this month alongside more than 500 public health professionals to share best practices for youth health. More details: https://buff.ly/3T9vyET #CFY24 #YouthMentalHealthCorps #AmeriCorpsWorks

Whether you volunteer with a friend or sign up for a service project that lets you enjoy the autumnal weather, fall is a great season for volunteering! Get a jumpstart on making volunteer plans for fall by taking our Volunteer Personality Quiz at https://buff.ly/3Pv3dYH #ServeVirginia #VirginiaVolunteers #VolunteerVA #GivebackVA #VACommunity #VolunteerinVA