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AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.  AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country -- and to motivate more AmeriCorps to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities. Spreading the word about AmeriCorps is especially important now, as the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has put AmeriCorps on a path to grow to 250,000 members annually by 2017.

To celebrate the accomplishments and hard work provided by National Service members in southern Nevada, United Way of Southern Nevada's Volunteer Center is inviting all current and past National Service members to the 2010 National Service Member Celebration honoring each branch of National Service represented in southern Nevada including AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, Senior Corps and Teach for America.  RSVP to Jennifer at JenniferL@uwsn.org or 702-892-2318 if you are able to attend.

To find out more about what National Service members are doing in southern Nevada and to see if a term of service as an AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA member is right for you visit our AmeriCorps page and our AmeriCorps VISTA page.  The AmeriCorps program is currently recruiting for Summer of Service members and will be recruiting for the 2010-2011 program year starting in July.  For more details about AmeriCorps call Michelle at 702-892-2336. 

Congratulations Michelle Redmond & Natalie Minev!

Michelle Redmond - AmeriCorps 2010 Program Director of the Year
Michelle Redmond has managed the United Way’s AmeriCorps program for the past two years. She is in charge of 22 AmeriCorps members positioned with United Way’s partner nonprofit agencies throughout the Las Vegas valley and Pahrump. Michelle works to ensure her AmeriCorps members succeed and they certainly are busy. They are responsible for organizing 2,527 volunteers to pack 54,109 backpacks with ready-to-eat meals; training 71 volunteer attorneys to provide assistance with issues such bankruptcy and family law, including representing domestic violence and child abuse victims; transporting 60 homeless people weekly to get showers, clothing and a meal; providing direct interpretation service for 433 Hispanic individuals; and that is only one quarter of the list. Other members set up immunization clinics, prepare tax returns for the poor, promote literacy, distribute food to the hungry, and mentor or tutor youth. Michelle coordinates it all and she does it with patience and dedication. “Michelle is a nurturing supervisor and is always available to the members to offer suggestions whether their questions are of a professional or personal nature,” said Robin Kelley, Director of the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada. “Saying that she goes above and beyond the call really doesn’t come close to describing her work ethic. She is simply ‘there’ for each and every one of her members.”

Natalie Minev - 2010 AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year
Natalie Minev has been in the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America) Program since last June. She is a dynamo of event coordination and nonprofit outreach. Natalie organized the Volunteer Center’s September 11th Day of Service, which collected a whopping 3.5 tons of donated personal items, 400 banners, and 1,476 hand-written cards for the troops. She coordinated a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Project at two local elementary schools, and is tackling the National Letter Carriers Food Drive on May 8th, which will be her biggest project yet. On top of all that, during her VISTA year, Natalie found time to reach out to 97 new nonprofits to understand their volunteer needs and make them partners of the Volunteer Center, which recruits volunteers for them.  When she found a few minutes to spare, she busied herself preparing taxes for low-income individuals and staffing health and resource fairs. Natalie exemplifies the AmeriCorps spirit of getting things done!

April 24, 2010
The Second Annual Volunteer Spotlight Awards

The Volunteer Spotlight Awards focus on those volunteers who go above and beyond to improve lives and build a stronger, healthier and safer community.  Many volunteers share their time and talents by getting involved in their communities to help effect lasting change.  By working together these individuals and teams help to meet critical community needs that can create a better community for everyone.

We are pleased to recognize this year's nominees (and the organizations who nominated them):  Gary Allen (American Red Cross), Martha Balecki (Blindconnect), Richard Bennett (Metro Volunteers), Timmarie Blankenship (Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada), Ella Brewer (Metro Volunteers), Carol Evans (The Shade Tree), Michael Festen (HELP of Southern Nevada), Nicole Greb (Nye Communities Coalition), Charles “Pretty Good” Higgs (HELP of Southern Nevada), Ashley Hill (HELP of Southern Nevada), Carol Hilliard (The Shade Tree), Megan HoChing (HELP of Southern Nevada), Geraldine Johnson (American Red Cross), Kenneth Johnson (NV Paralyzed Veterans of America), Rayna Lazarou (The Rape Crisis Center), Veda McDowell (Helping Hands of Vegas Valley), Edward ‘Mac’ McPhilomy (Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada), Mary Moore (Las Vegas Clark County Urban League – MLK Senior Center), Patrick Moore (American Red Cross), Jenna Nelson (HELP of Southern Nevada), Cameron Otero (HELP of Southern Nevada), Erick Ramirez (Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada), Patricia Ransom (The Shade Tree), Warren Reinig (UMC), Shannon West Youth Center Residents (HELP of Southern Nevada), Nancy Steinke (Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary), Joe Teeporten (Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary), Katarina Tesarova (The Shade Tree) and Viviana Vallin (Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas). 

Award recipients will receive a Presidential Service Award certificate and congratulatory letter signed by President Obama.  Recipients will also be highlighted on our social networks, in our volunteer newsletter and on our website homepage.  If you know any of these nominees or recipients, please be sure to congratulate them and thank them for their service to the community. And here are this year's Volunteer Spotlight Recipients!

National Service: Nicole Greb is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member at Nye Communities Coalition (NyECC), where she works as the Youth Leadership Facilitator.  Nicole works with youth ages 12-18 and has participate in tobacco awareness and prevention programs such as Project 1200 and KickButt Day.  Nicole shares her positive attitude and enthusiasm with the youth members and has doubled membership and improved attendance and involvement in group activities.  Nicole has helped facilitate goal setting to help youth determine areas of interest as well as recruiting professionals in the community to share information about bullying, social media, nutrition and alcohol & energy drinks.  In the six months since Nicole started she has coordinated a volunteer opportunity for the Disney “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” program that involved over 200 community members.  Nicole also works with youth members to use social media to raise awareness about youth substance abuse, health, fitness and community involvement.

Group: Shannon West Youth Center Residents are examples of selfless generosity despite difficult circumstances.  The Youth Center residents are homeless and at-risk youth ages 16-21.  This past holiday season volunteers had been scheduled to help distribute toys to families in need however when not enough volunteers showed up on day one of toy distribution staff wondered how they were going to manage the growing line of families waiting outside.  The Shannon West Youth Center residents came to the rescue that day starting at 6:30am and working until 6pm they followed specific directions on how to “shop” for each child to provide them with toys for the holidays.  The Youth Center residents showed their maturity as they followed directions and worked hard to pick out toys for children that would otherwise go without.  The residents assisted with shopping, re-stocking and dealing with clients with a positive attitude.  Thanks to their efforts 3,000 clients were able to “shop” providing toys for around 10,000 children.

Individual: Ella Brewer is the recipient of our exceptional volunteer over the age of 18, Individual Award. She was nominated by the Metro Volunteer Program.  Ella has been volunteering with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Metro Volunteer Program for almost a year but in that time she has been volunteering at least nine hours a day five days a week.  Ella’s primary responsibilities include answering the phone, scheduling interviews, checking and recording mileage reimbursement requests and preparing orientation handbooks.  Ella can often be found laughing as she interacts with other volunteers sharing her positive attitude and upbeat outlook.  In addition to sharing her time and talents she is also passionate about sharing her volunteer experience with others helping to recruit new volunteers to the program.  Ella is truly dedicated to her service learning more about the LVMPD by participating in the Citizens Police Academy and attending CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) training in order to be better prepared to help her neighborhood during an emergency. 

Lifetime: Geraldine Johnson is the recipient of the Lifetime of Service Award and was nominated by the American Red Cross for her work with the Customer Support Center (CSS) as the Coordinator for the Southern Nevada Chapter. Geraldine has been volunteering with the Southern Nevada Chapter for the past 5 years however she has volunteered with the Red Cross alongside her mother since she was 12.  She currently volunteers between 65-80 hours per month supervising volunteers, ordering supplies and all other fulfillment activities associated with the CSS.  The impact to the community has been incredible. The CSS supplies manikins, manuals and all other supplies needed for CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Water Safety classes offered by the Red Cross for Clark, Lincoln and Nye counties.  By assuring the proper supplies are on hand almost 25,000 people in southern Nevada were certified in these lifesaving skills last year.  Geraldine’s work ethic and determination at the “young” age of 81 continue to be an inspiration to others of her lifelong commitment to volunteerism and the mission of the American Red Cross.

Youth: Jenna Nelson of North Las Vegas is the recipient of the standout volunteer under 18 years of age, Youth Award. A high school senior preparing for college, Jenna was nominated by HELP of Southern Nevada.  Jenna has volunteered with HELP for more than 5 years and has shared her talents throughout the organization by participating in Done in a Day, Turkey Drive Distribution, Turkey-a-Thon, Toy Drive, Toy Store Distribution and Gowntown.  Jenna is always on time, mature, responsible and continuously gives what she can.  She even brings her friends to help out sharing her passion for volunteering with those around her.  Jenna and her friends have even gave up their weekend to study for school while sharing hot chocolate and blankets with staff who were manning the night shift during Toy Drive on one of the many cold nights. 

"Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." program ends.

On Tuesday, March 9, it was announced that an astounding one million people are making an impact on their local communities by volunteering through the Give A Day. Get A Disney Day. program. The goal of inspiring one million people to serve was reached in less than ten weeks time. Thank you for your tremendous spirit, dedication and passion for civic change, and for helping make this program such an overwhelming success.

Volunteers who previously completed the sign-up process at DisneyParks.com and are signed up to volunteer during the next 60 days will still be able to complete their service and receive a ticket to a Disney theme park. Thanks to all of you who participated! And to those of you new to our website -- welcome! You'll be able to continue to search and sign up for volunteer opportunities here year-round. Just use the same email address and password you used on the Disney site.

June 29, 2009
Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada Joins United We Serve Initiative. (Press Release)

June 28, 2009
Poor Economy, desire to serve others fuel increased interest in volunteering. (ReviewJournal.com)

Flash Mob!
Underneath everything we are, underneath everything we do, we are all people. Connected, Interdependent, United. And when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That's what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Thank you for being a part of the first ever LIVE UNITED Flash Mob in southern Nevada.

You got the shirt, you did the flash, now what?

United Way and its Volunteer Center are always promoting ways to engage our community here in southern Nevada. During these tough economic times it is more important than ever that we continue to LIVE UNITED. United Way and the Volunteer Center want you to stay involved, please visit the links below to view the pictures from the LIVE UNITED Flash Mob and also learn other ways you can continue to LIVE UNITED.

Become a fan of United Way of Southern Nevada on Facebook

View Photos from the LIVE UNITED t-shirt Flash Mob

Make your leadership visible through volunteerism. Time and talent are critical to delivering solutions to the problems facing our community. To continue to LIVE UNITED, check out our Project Calendar

May, 2009
Volunteer Spotlight Awards
The Volunteer Spotlight Awards aim to recognize those that go above and beyond in their community service efforts.  Countless volunteers donate their time, skills and talents in an effort to create lasting change each year in southern Nevada.  By facing the ever-changing and pressing issues, these individuals and groups help to strengthen and build a stronger community.

We are pleased to recognize this year's nominees: Alfonso Ayala III, Richard Avery, Diana Bashant, Jenny Leigh DuPuis, Silvina Gimenez, James Healey, Brenda Hitchins, Nicole Schwartz, Helene Silverstein, Mahima Singh, Ebony Smith, Melissa Stoner, Jack Terry, Jimmy Tollestrup, Dr. Thomas Washington, Sharisse Yarborough, Goodwill of Southern Nevada VITA team, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept.'s Citizen Patrol AcademyAlumni Association, TIP of Southern Nevada, Inc, Truancy Diversion Program (TDP) Judges. Recipients will receive a Presidential Service Award certificate and congratulatory letter signed by President Obama. During the recent Volunteer-A-Thon pledge drive, recipients were recognized on the air on 88.9 KNPR. If you know any of these nominees or recipients,please be sure to congratulate them and thank them for their service to the community. And here are this year's Volunteer Spotlight Recipients!

AmeriCorps: Alfonso Ayala III is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member at UNLV's Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach, where he works with the Student Support Services program. Nominated by UNLV for his service advising low-income and first-generation college students, as well as working to keep these students involved in the campus community, he is the recipient of the AmeriCorps Member Award. In addition to being an AmeriCorps member, Alfonso is also a student working towards his Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership, as well as an intern with the American Cancer Society. Alfonso says he volunteers because making our community better is the responsibility of each and every citizen. If a person has the time, money, or skill to volunteer, it is his or her civic duty to offer that to his or her community.

Education: Dr. Thomas Washington was nominated by the Clark County School Districts School-Communities Partnerships office for his efforts with CCSD's Stay in School Mentoring Project. We are proud to recognize Dr. Washington as the Education Award recipient for his service with an education based program and believe he embodies the qualities of a true dedicated community volunteer by assisting at-risk elementary school students. Following a 37 year career as a school administrator with the Detroit Board of Education and a career in higher education with Wayne State University, Dr. Washington relocated to southern Nevada in 2000. He began volunteering his time at HP Fitzgerald Elementary School serving as a tutor. Since his involvement in 2002, Dr. Washington has serviced as an in-classroom mentor with small groups of students, which he mentors weekly. To date, he has recruited 30 volunteers for the Stay in School Mentoring Project. Dr. Washington is a true inspiration and understands the importance of giving back to his community.

Group: The Goodwill of Southern Nevada Earn It Keep It Save It (EIKISI) team of Mac McPhilomy, Beth McPhilomy & Jacquelyn Potter is the recipient of the Group Award this year. Since October 2007, Goodwill of Southern Nevada has been an active member of the EIKISI Collaborative which brings together corporate, nonprofit and private sector leaders, the IRS and United Way of Southern Nevada to provide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to eligible low- and moderate-income families in southern Nevada. Mac, Jacquelyn and Beth have been instrumental to the success of the Goodwill SN program and prepared 443 accepted tax returns during the last tax season (223 the previous year). Mac's 40 years experience in tax preparation combined with his exceptional interpersonal skills make him a true diamond in the rough. Combined with Beth's friendly and welcoming personality, every client felt valued and important. From the project's inception, Jacquelyn has fully dedicated herself to promoting free tax preparation services among Goodwill Team Members. It is also because of Jacquelyn that Goodwill's EIKISI team is able to provide services to Spanish-speaking clients.

Individual: James Healey is the recipient of our exceptional volunteer over the age of 18, Individual Award. He was nominated by Emily West of the New York New York Hotel/Casino for his work with the Southern Nevada Association of Pride. Volunteering has been a way of life for James since he made Las Vegas his home in 1993. He finds himself most happy when being able to make a difference in his community by giving back and striving to make Las Vegas a better place to live and visit. He has been involved in many organizations and has served as a board member and a past President of the Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc. since 2003. James is also honored to serve on the Las Vegas Human Rights Campaign Steering Committee and the National Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign. In his role as Governor, he acts as the liaison between the National Headquarters and the local community.

Lifetime: Brenda Hitchins is the recipient of the Lifetime of Service Award and was nominated by the Excalibur Hotel and Casino for her work with the Chefs for Kids program. Brenda has been volunteering with the organization for the past 18 years, is a founding member and current President. She currently volunteers a minimum of 25 hours per month both fund raising and feeding breakfast to children in the Clark County School District. The impact to the community has been incredible. The programs that Chefs for Kids sponsor are teaching kids to make healthy choices when they eat or go grocery shopping, providing meals that will start each child's day right increasing their brain power, and providing meals to children who may not get anything else to eat each day. Since its inception, Chefs for Kids has impacted more that 26,000 kids. Brenda Hitchins has been a driving force in this organization and remains a highly involved volunteer. Her belief is that you can change a child's life by providing them with the knowledge to make the right nutritional choices. She also believes that she can make a difference in Las Vegas by feeding one child at a time.

Youth: Nicole Schwartz of Las Vegas is the recipient of the standout volunteer under 18 years of age, Youth Award. A senior at Bonanza High School, Nicole was nominated by the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation. Nicole has volunteered with Candlelighters since 2000 and has shared her talents throughout the organization participating in their Spring Fling, 5K Race and Halloween Bash. Nicole always makes the time to be available to volunteer wherever she is needed and has also recruited many of her friends as volunteers. Following graduation, Nicole plans to attend Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and major in Journalism.