April 2014 Newsletter

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Greetings!

Did you know that Community Service is ranked in the top four most important factors for college admissions officers? Volunteering in your community does play a key role in admission decisions. Montana Campus Compact, the Student Assistance Foundation, and the Governor's Office of Community Service reward students who have volunteered over 100 hours in the last year and who want to further their education in the state through the Youth Serve Montana Scholarship. This year, 100 high school seniors will receive $1,000 toward continued education at one of Montana Campus Compact's public, tribal, private, or community colleges and universities.

Do you know a high school senior committed to helping your community? The deadline to submit the Youth Serve Montana Scholarship application is April 15th, 2014.

Thank you for serving!

Dan Ritter

Executive Director

Governor's Office of Community Service

Youth Serve Montana Scholarship

The Youth Serve Montana Scholarship was created to promote volunteerism among high school students, to encourage young leaders to further their learning, and to provide tuition assistance for Montana studentswho wish to attend college in state.

Up to 100 students will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Scholarship funds have been made available through support from Student Assistance Foundation and Montana Campus Compact. The scholarships are administered by the Governor's Office of Community Service. More information and the application form can be found at serve.mt.gov. Scholarship applications are due April 15th.

Global Youth Service Day, April 11-13, is the world's largest service event, and the only one dedicated to recognizing the contributions that young people make to their communities every day of the year. Through support from Youth Serve America and State Farm, the Governor's Office of Community Service provided mini-grants that will go to help fund 15 youth-led projects throughout the state. Take a look at the GYSD Map for more information about volunteer opportunities in your community.

Billings, MT: Housing Authority Billings-Garden decorating and maintenance at the Whitetail Run Garden
Billings, MT: Montana Conservation Corps-Repair a highly-used, recreational trail at Lake Elmo State park
Bozeman, MT: Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Montana-Construct thank you cards for Montana veterans
Butte, MT: Montana Tech TRIO-Dig up flower beds, plant trees and shrubs, pick up trash in "reclaimed" areas
Glasgow, MT: Valley County 4-H-Plant trees and shrubs at the Beacon Bible Camp
Glasgow, MT: Tampico Boys 4-H Club-Take shingles off a gazebo and replace them with new ones, stain the wood, and pull weeds at Cowbell Park
Glasgow, MT: Tampico Boys 4-H Club-Renovate a room at the Valley View Nursing Home
Great Falls, MT: Fight Childhood Hunger Youth Coalition-Recipe contest, Fun Run with First Lady Lisa Bullock, food drives, and community swap meet to raise awareness of childhood hunger
Havre, MT: Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Line-Clean the grounds and plant vegetables at the Boys and Girls Club
Kalispell, MT: Center for Restorative Youth Justice-Make donated items for animals at the Humane Society
Lewistown, MT: Boys and Girls Club of Lewistown-Make "bread in a bag" for Meals on Wheels distribution
Miles City, MT: Developmental Educational Assistance Program-Clean-up day at Miles City Community Garden
Missoula, MT: Montana Conservation Corps-Repair a hiking trail with youth from Sussex School
Missoula, MT: Mountain Home Montana-Community renewal at the Home's site and surrounding area
Whitefish, MT: Farm Hands Nourish the Flathead-Prepare garden beds and participate in collaborative art project at Flathead Community Gardens

As part of Global Youth Service Day, the Great Falls Youth Coalition is hosting Fight Childhood Hunger Week from April 7-13th in Great Falls to raise awareness of the problem of childhood hunger in the community. Events include a 5K Fun Run with First Lady Lisa Bullock, food drives at local grocery stores, a recipe contest and cook-off, Battle of the Bands, and more. To participate, volunteer, or donate visit fightchildhoodhunger.com.

AmeriCorps Formula Funding

The RFP for AmeriCorps Formula Funding has officially been posted on the State Procurement website.

Any questions regarding the RFP should be directed to Tia Snyder at the State Procurement Bureau, 406-444-3315, tsnyder@mt.gov.

2014 ServeMontana Symposium

The 2014 ServeMontana Symposium, The Power of Human Action, was a huge success! The Governor's Office of Community Service welcomed 250 AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and Senior Corps members and staff to Helena in March for three days of training, keynotes, and breakout sessions.

The highlights included our Keynote speakers, University of Montana Regents Professor and leading expert on international human rights, Dr. Paul Gordon Lauren, Montana State University President, Dr. Waded Cruzado, Montana Supreme Court Justice, Beth Baker, Governor Steve Bullock and First Lady Lisa Bullock, and last but definitely not least, Shannon Stober of the Montana Conservation Corps. Members also participated in city-wide service projects at Habitat for Humanity, Montana Wild, School Age Child Care Program (SACC), and more.

For more information about the ServeMontana Symposium and pictures of this year's Symposium, visit serve.mt.gov.

Let's Get Winter Ready, Montana!

With support from the Governor's Office of Community Service and many other donors, Senior Companion and RSVP volunteers at Missoula Aging Services and Action for Eastern Montana participated in Let's Get Winter Ready, Montana! projects. Volunteers lent a helping hand to their elderly, disabled, and homebound neighbors by helping them prepare for disasters and emergencies of all types.

Volunteers compiled and delivered 275 stocked emergency supply starter kits between the Missoula community and Ft. Peck Reservation. The kits included items such as weather radios, flashlights, blankets, and more. In case of an emergency, the kits will help keep the recipients warm, safe, comforted, and informed until help arrives.

Thanks to our 2014 Partners that contributed their time and energy:

Missoula Aging Services

Action for Eastern Montana

Ft. Peck Seniors Program

Missoula Aging Services Respite Care

Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services Program

Partners in Home Care

Summit Independent Living Center

Huge thanks to our sponsors:

Missoula Ace Hardware, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Helena Home Depot, Lowes of Helena, Culligan Water, and AARP for their contributions.

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Be sure to follow us @ServeMontana or like us on Facebook.com/ServeMontana to receive updates on the Governor's Office of Community Service.