Days of Service: National Volunteer Week

When: Saturday, April 16, 9a.m.-3p.m., various shifts available

Where: Various project sites throughout the Kalamazoo community

Why: We can accomplish so much more together!  With a variety of other agency partners, the Volunteer Center seeks to improve the community and engage more citizens in volunteering: rookies, veterans, adults, youth and all in between. We invite you to sign-up, show up and make a difference with us!

This Day of Service combines the celebration of Global Youth Service Day with the efforts of the Kalamazoo Neighborhood Safety Initiative to engage volunteers of all ages in positive change in our neighborhoods and organizations. Choose from 7 different project sites with a variety of activities (see below for descriptions).

REGISTER ONLINE (pre-registration is required)

Volunteer Activity Sites

Children’s Spring Party at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

Volunteers are needed help with set-up and take down of party decorations as well as assisting in facilitating activities such as egg relay races, cookie decorating, an egg hunt, and egg decorating. Time: 8:30 a.m.-11:30a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011. This volunteer opportunity is directed at youth volunteers, ages 12-18, but we will be looking for a few additional adult volunteers. For every 5 volunteers under the age of 16, we will be needing an adult volunteer.

Woods and Spring Clean-up at Friendship Village

Volunteers are needed to help remove brush and non-native plants from the woods at Friendship Village. Volunteers will also be working alongside a few of the residents who live at friendship village. Time: 10a.m.-12p.m. on Saturday April 16, 2011. Ten  youth volunteers, ages 14-18 are needed as well as 2 adult volunteers.

Tree Planting and Park Clean-up

Volunteers will assist in planting trees at Henderson and Jones Park off of W. Main Street in Kalamazoo. In addition, volunteers will be helping with park beautification by picking up fallen tree branches and trash. Time: 10:00 a.m.- 1p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Minimum Age: This volunteer opportunity is directed at youth volunteers, ages 12-18.

Oakwood Neighborhood Association

Volunteers are needed to assist the neighborhood association in an annual spring clean-up. Because Oakwood has many elderly residents and was hit particularly hard by the ice storm this winter we need volunteers to bundle sticks, clean storm drains, and pick up litter.  Additionally, volunteer teams will help prepare the community garden for spring plantings, clean and plant flowers at an area park, and spread mulch.  This opportunity is perfect if you’re willing to get your hands a little dirty to help clean a neighborhood. Time: 8:45am-9:15am (Check-in), 9:15am (Training), 9:30am-12:30pm (service) on Saturday April 16^th, this opportunity is open to volunteers of all ages.

Edison Neighborhood Association

Volunteers will work in Ashley Joyce Memorial Park doing spring clean-up and building planters. Volunteers will install a layer of playground mulch in the park. Volunteers will also be doing spring plantings with teams of “Boulevard Leaders” on each block. This opportunity is perfect for those with building skills, and/or those willing to get their hands dirty.  Time: 8:45am-9:15am (Check-in), 9:15am (Training), 9:30am-12:30pm (service) on Saturday April 16^th, this opportunity is open to volunteers of all ages.

Hispanic American Council

H.A.C. will lead teams of volunteers doing spring clean-up for seniors in the Edison neighborhood.  With bilingual staff, the Hispanic American Council is reaching out to seniors in Edison who need various assistance, including painting, yard clean-up and raking.  Time: 8:45am-9:15am (Check-in), 9:15am (Training), 9:30am-3:00pm (Service) on Saturday April 16^th, this opportunity is open to volunteers of all ages.

Eastside Neighborhood Association

Volunteers will beautify the ‘entranceway’ to Eastside Neighborhood. What currently is an overgrown underpass will become a beautiful gateway with an entrance sign and flowers!  Efforts will include graffiti removal, painting, and planting. Volunteers are also needed to tear down a blighted shed and move the materials for recycling efforts (the shed will be re-purposed by the neighborhood association).  This opportunity is ideal for those who want to be a part of making a beautiful new entranceway to the Eastside neighborhood.    Time: 9:00am-9:30am (Check-in), 9:30am (Training), 9:45am-12:30pm (service) on Saturday April 16^th, this opportunity is open to volunteers of all ages.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

VMT: Training Busy Staff to Succeed with Volunteers

Volunteer engagement cannot rest on the shoulders of one person; it involves the commitment and competence of all staff partnering with volunteers. Participants will uncover staff resistance and gain practical tools for training them as partners. Learn best practices in how to engage employees to help build and sustain a successful volunteer program.

Register Now

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 9:00 am

 Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
 timed
 Greater kalamazoo United Way, 709 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo 49007

BoardConnect: Serving on a Nonprofit Board

Learn how to attract high performance board members and master the tools needed for board member recruitment and education. Includes registration for BoardConnect’s matching services and boardnetUSA, a national online database that connects candidates and nonprofits.

Register Now

Wednesday, 18 May 2011 7:30 am

 Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
 timed
 United Way of Greater Battle Creek

STAR Awards

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 7:30am-9:00am

The Sharing Time And Resources (STAR) Awards recognize outstanding volunteers who exemplify the essence of volunteerism. Each year, individuals and groups from the Kalamazoo County area are recognized for their volunteerism during the year.

Limited seats are still available.

Tickets may be purchased at the event~

Tickets must be purchased in advance and presented at the door for admission. The cost of admission is $15 per person and includes breakfast. The event sells out nearly every year, so please make plans to purchase your tickets early! All seating is reserved according to ticket number, so if your party would like to sit together, we recommend purchasing a block of tickets at one time. There are 10 seats per table. Seating is assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Calendar of Events

Global Youth Service Day

View GYSD Projects | Register | GYSD Website

What is Global Youth Service Day?

GYSD is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes millions of children and youth to improve their community not only on the day of the event, but each day of the year through service learning. GYSD was established in 1988 and it is the largest service event in the world and the only Day of Service dedicated to children and youth. It is celebrated annually by 100 countries.

More Info

Global Youth Service Day was originally called, “A day in the life of service” and it was organized by the Youth Service America. The idea behind the day was to create a foundation for future civic engagement. This year, there are 5 cities of service in Michigan and Kalamazoo is lucky enough to be one of them.

Who Can Participate in Global Youth Service Day?

The day is focused on engaging youth volunteers; however, there are a few opportunities for adults to get involved as well. Due to volunteer age requirements, we will need a few adult volunteers to help support, and work alongside of the youth volunteers. Also the Kalamazoo Neighborhood Safety Initiative will be hosting 4 volunteer projects on the same day, with the majority of project sites needing adult volunteers.

Why Serve on GYSD?

Global Youth Service Day provides youth with important life skills and helps these individuals recognize the impact of unique service opportunities. Youth who participate in GYSD often see an increase in:

-Self Esteem

-Leadership

-Public Speaking

-Job responsibility

-A connection to their community

-Academic achievement

-And less involvement in risky behaviors

What types of service are encouraged?

All different kinds of service are encouraged for GYSD. Schools, youth organizations, non—profits, community & faith based organizations, national service programs, and governmental agencies are just a few places that may need help to address the world’s most critical issues. State wide efforts are encouraged. Last year, 21 projects were registered.

MLK Day Community Wide Day of Service

Thank you to Everyone who participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Wide Day of Service!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Watch the Video:

More Information

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and opportunity for all. He challenged us to build a more perfect union and taught us that everyone has a role to play in making America what it ought to be. With his leadership, our nation made great strides against racial discrimination and toward increased civil rights.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings can continue to guide us in addressing our nation’s most pressing social needs today. Each of us can contribute to strengthening our own communities by serving in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and throughout the year. And, by making service part of our daily lives, we can help realize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream and support our nation’s renewal and recovery.

What Is the MLK Day of Service?

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, addresses social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

Why Serve on MLK Day?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. Service is integral to meeting national challenges such as poverty, economic insecurity, illiteracy, hunger, environmental degradation, and more.

In addition to helping solve serious problems, service brings people from different backgrounds together, and benefits those who serve.

What Types of Service Are Encouraged?

All types of service are encouraged, particularly projects that connect participants to ongoing service throughout the year. Projects include preparing and delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, removing graffiti and cleaning neighborhoods, reading to children, training mentors or tutors for youth, and much more. Many service projects are connected to the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and include time to reflect upon his life and teachings.

Who Can Participate in the MLK Day of Service?

People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are encouraged to serve on MLK Day, and to make the day the beginning of an ongoing commitment to a cause that is meaningful to them and serves a need in their community.

Featured: Free Tax Help is Here!

Free Tax Help is Here!

Do you or someone you know need help preparing and filing their federal and state income taxes? The Tax Counseling Initiative (TCI) is the program for you!

TCI is a program designed to help individuals and families with the proper filing of their taxes. Free federal and state tax preparation for individuals and families is available to those with household incoems of up to $49,000 in 2010. This includes the Michigan State Property Tax Credit. Free electronic filing is also available at all locations. Since 2003, this service has been provided by IRS-certified community volunteers.

Beginning January 6th, 2011, call 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment or go online at www.gryphon.org and click on the tax calendar for a list of locations, dates, times and items to bring with you.