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Mar182009
POSTED AT 09:04 AM
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YUGA Leadership Camp 2009!!!
You're invited to apply for Youth United for Global Action and Awareness' annual summer camp!
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Join YUGA and meet friends and allies from around the country and globe who are interested in global issues such as poverty, HIV and AIDS, climate change and child exploitation.
This peer education program will develop your leadership skills and provide in-depth knowledge on issues affecting youth around the world. YUGA camp gives you the resources and abilities to go back to your community trained and energized to raise awareness about global issues. Participate in workshops and activities, listen to presentations, and join in simulations-but it can't be all work and no play! The rest of camp time is filled with swimming, boating, hiking, games, competitions, dances, camp fires, and more!
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Where: Camp Aldersgate, North Scituate, RI
When: July 19-25, 2009
Cost: $250, whcih includes all meals, lodging and activities
Scholarships are available, check out our website for more information!
Apply to YUGA Leadership Camp!
Contact info: Email us at yuga@planusa.org or call 1-800-556-7918 x 1301
Deadline: May 1, 2009
- Campers are responsible for own travel to and from Providence; we can meet all campers at airport, bus and train stations.
-Campers must be entering 9-12th grade (ages 13-18)
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YUGA’s Mission: We are a network of youth who aim to promote global change through increased understanding, awareness and action on local and global issues.
YUGA Camp Themes: Leadership, Team Building and Public Speaking.
Global Issues include: Poverty, HIV/AIDS, Climate Change/Environment and Child Exploitation (Child labor, trafficking and soldiers [Image])[Image]
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Mar182009
POSTED AT 08:44 AM
This list is from the Global Youth Service Day website:
Young people are serving their communities at record numbers. Each year, approximately 13
million teens give 2.4 billion hours of service back to their communities. Here are some ideas
for how you can make a difference:
1. Help teach a younger child to read.
2. Help cook and/or serve a meal at a homeless shelter.
3. Gather clothing from your neighbors and donate it to a local shelter.
4. Make “I Care” kits with combs, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc. for the homeless.
5. Pack and hand out food at a local food bank.
6. Adopt a “grand friend” and write them letters and visit them.
7. Visit senior citizens at a nursing home.
8. Rake leaves, shovel snow, clean gutters, or wash windows for a senior citizen.
9. Pick up groceries or medicine for an elderly person.
10. Go for a walk with a senior citizen in your community.
11. Deliver meals to homebound individuals.
12. Hold an afternoon dance for your local nursing home.
13. Teach a senior friend how to use a computer and the Internet.
14. Paint a mural over graffiti.
15. Invite local police officers to present a drug awareness or safety program.
16. Tutor a student that needs help learning English or another subject.
17. Organize a canned goods drive.
18. Clean up a vacant lot or park.
19. Organize a campaign to raise money to purchase and install playground equipment.
20. Plant flowers in public areas that could use some color.
21. Volunteer to help at a Special Olympics event.
22. Set up a buddy system for kids with special needs in your community.
23. Raise money for Braille books for visually impaired people.
24. Read books or the newspaper on tape for visually impaired people.
25. Bring toys to children in the cancer ward of a hospital.
26. Contact your local political representative about key issues.
27. Register people to vote.
28. Organize a public issues forum for your neighborhood.
29. Volunteer at a polling booth the day of an election.
30. Take a friend to the polling booths.
31. Vote.
32. Offer to pass out election materials.
33. Plant a garden or tree where the whole neighborhood can enjoy it.
34. Set up a recycling system for your home.
35. Organize a carpooling campaign in your neighborhood.
36. Adopt an acre of a rainforest.
37. Clean up trash along a river, beach, or in a park.
38. Create a habitat for wildlife.
39. Create a campaign to encourage biking and walking.
40. Test the health of the water in your local lakes, rivers, and streams.
41. Contact your local volunteer center for opportunities to serve.
42. Volunteer at your local animal shelter.
43. Help build a home with Habitat for Humanity.
44. Walk a neighbor's dog or pet sit while they are on vacation.
45. Teach Sunday school.
46. Learn to be a peer counselor. HEET
47. Send a letter to one of America's veterans or overseas soldiers.
48. Volunteer at your local youth center.
49. Participate in a marathon for your favorite charity.
50. Become a candy striper at your local hospital.
51. Mentor a young person.
52. Serve your country by joining AmeriCorps.
53. Become a volunteer firefighter or EMT.
54. Donate books to your local library.
55. Donate clothes to the Salvation Army.
56. Start a book club in your area.
57. Adopt a pet from the Humane Society.
58. Hold a door open for someone.
59. Give up your seat on the bus or train to someone.
60. Donate your old computer to a school.
61. Give blood.
62. Coach a children's sports team.
63. Become an organ donor.
64. Teach a dance class.
65. Participate in Job Shadow Day (February 2).
66. Organize a project for National Youth Service Day (visit www.ysa.org/nysd).
67. Volunteer on a hotline.
68. Meet with local representatives from your area.
69. Don't drink and drive.
70. Listen to others.
71. Write a letter to the editor about an issue you care about.
72. Bring others with you when you volunteer.
73. Shop at local, family owned businesses.
74. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister.
75. Take a historical tour of your community.
76. Write a note to a teacher that had a positive effect on you.
77. Get together with some friends to buy holiday presents for a family at a shelter.
78. Recycle.
79. Drive responsibly.
80. Get CPR and First Aid certification.
81. Don't litter.
82. Shop responsibly.
83. Don't spread or start gossip.
84. Tell someone that you appreciate him/her.
85. Hold a teddy bear drive for foster children, fire victims, etc.
86. Make a care package for an elderly or shut-in person.
87. Teach at an adult literacy center.
88. Sing for residents at a nursing home.
89. Befriend a new student or neighbor.
90. Baby sit.
91. Look for the good in all people.
92. Coordinate a book drive.
93. Donate money to your favorite charity.
94. Make quilts or baby clothes for low-income families.
95. Bake cookies and bring them to your local fire or police station.
96. Donate toys or suitcases to foster children.
97. When visiting someone in a hospital, talk to someone that doesn't have many visitors.
98. Around the holidays, visit the Post Office and answer some letters to Santa.
99. Start a neighborhood welcome committee.
100.Visit www.SERVEnet.org to find volunteer opportunities in your area.
Mar182009
POSTED AT 08:42 AM
Global Youth Service Day is coming soon. If you are participating in a service event that weekend, please make sure it is registered with Boston Cares. They are collecting data to see how many kids are involved in service over that weekend. See me for Boston Cares contact info.
Feb272009
POSTED AT 01:51 PM
VOTE EARTH
YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
See earthhour.org for more info.
Feb252009
POSTED AT 12:44 PM
President Obama Calls for American Generosity in Time of Crisis
Calls for Passage of Serve America Act; AmeriCorps Alum Guest in First Lady’s Box
Washington D.C. – In his address to a joint session of Congress last night, President Obama called on the ingenuity and can-do spirit of the American people to help the nation recover and rebuild from its economic crisis.
"While our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before," the President said.
"Those qualities that have made America the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history we still possess in ample measure. What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more."
The President called on Congress to pass the Serve America Act, bipartisan legislation introduced last month by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to expand national and community service opportunities for all Americans.
"And to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask this Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country – Senator Edward Kennedy."
The legislation, which has 21 cosponsors, would expand opportunities for Americans to serve at every stage of life and focus service on solving pressing challenges, such as tackling the dropout crisis and strengthening schools; improving energy efficiency; safeguarding the environment; improving health care; expanding economic opportunities for low-income individuals; and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies.
"The President understands the power of service to change lives and is counting on Americans from all walks of life to help address the problems we face," said Alan Solomont, Board Chair of the Corporation for National and Community Service, who was in the House chamber for the President’s speech. "In this time of unprecedented need, we need more Americans to serve – and we have to provide the necessary support and resources to maximize the impact of their service."
In his Inaugural Address, President Obama saluted the American spirit of service and called for a new era of personal responsibility. During the campaign, the President said that service will be a central cause of his presidency, and his service and innovation agenda <http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/service/> includes expanding AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000 annual positions, engaging more retiring Americans in service, expanding service-learning in our nation's schools, and seeding innovation and strengthening the capacity of the nonprofit sector
Expanding opportunities for Americans to serve has also been an early focus of the 111th Congress. This morning, the House Education and Labor Committee will hold its first full committee hearing this session on "Renewing America through National Service and Volunteerism" <http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/2009/02/renewing-america-through-natio-1.shtml> with witnesses including recording artist Usher Raymond IV, TIME Magazine managing editor Richard Stengel, former Senator Harris Wofford, and others. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress and signed by the President earlier this month, contains funds to expand AmeriCorps to engage more citizens in meeting critical social and economic needs.
One AmeriCorps alum had a choice seat to watch the President’s speech. Roxanna Garcia Marcus, who served for two years as an AmeriCorps member with City Year <http://www.cityyear.org/> , was invited to view the speech from First Lady Michelle Obama’s box. A Florida native, Marcus first came to the Washington D.C. area to serve in City Year, a youth service corps for young people age 17-24 that provides a year of full-time community service, leadership development, and civic engagement. A first-generation American, Roxanna said she was drawn to the opportunity to give back to her community and country in a meaningful and lasting way. Marcus currently serves as the Development Manager for Year Up, an intensive training program that provides urban young adults with technical and professional skills, college credits, an educational stipend and corporate apprenticeship. Marcus cites her AmeriCorps experience with changing her career focus to the nonprofit sector.
"If there is one common experience I wish for every American, it’s to know the power of service – to have the opportunity to be a part of something larger than yourself and make a positive impact on your community. AmeriCorps gave me my opportunity," Marcus said. "I am thrilled to see national service become such a focus of the President and Congress and feel we are on the cusp of a big expansion of opportunities for all Americans to serve their communities."
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation engages four million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America programs. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov <http://www.nationalservice.gov/> .
Feb232009
POSTED AT 12:55 PM
Taken from an email from the globaloneness project.
The ancient Chinese hexagram for crisis means both danger and opportunity. But what determines the outcome? Is it in our hands? Do we have the power to choose?
Danger naturally focuses our minds and when faced with it we instinctively contract, withdraw, or pull-in to protect and defend. Individuals do it, and so do countries.
The Questions:
1) Have you ever been fearful in a situation that led to a new opportunity? Describe what that was like. How can you recognize the difference between something radically new wanting to emerge and a situation that is essentially harmful.
2) With the economic downturn causing great financial uncertainty, this winter is bringing stress to many people. What opportunities do you see emerging in this time of crisis?
3) Following the recent US election, hope for change is sweeping the world. What changes do you see on the horizon? How much is change dependent on our leadership? Is this a time to reexamine leadership?
4) Embracing unilateralism, the US has been going it alone for a long time, but we [have] a leader who embraces cooperation and communication. Do you believe the world is ready to work in this new way? Are new values emerging in leadership around the globe?
Feb232009
POSTED AT 12:38 PM
If you see Blake Blvd, you'll notice that it is almost entirely filled with starfish. Many amazing acts of kindness have been done by Blake staff and students. There's still plenty more to do. Upcoming projects include helping the Medfield Animal Shelter with their Spring newsletter mailing, making indoor recess packets and multiplication flashcard sets for students in Boston Public Schools, participating in Blake Earth Day celebration, and many more. Keep listening for the announcements and make sure you sign up for a project that interests you.
Jan142009
POSTED AT 02:28 PM
What if your favorite charity earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter your favorite charity as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!
Jan142009
POSTED AT 12:46 PM
We have just around 200 starfish in. In order to get every staff member and student, we need 600 or so more people to perform a charitable act or acknowledge a charitable act they've already done in this school year. More volunteer opportunties will be posted here soon.
Jan142009
POSTED AT 12:26 PM
End Childhood Hunger by Texting 
Today Share Our Strength and AT&T launch Operation No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to help end childhood hunger by text messaging donations to Share Our Strength and holding food drives across the country.
Operation No Kid Hungry
Operation No Kid Hungry offers three ways to help end childhood hunger in America:
- Text “SHARE” to 20222 to make a $5 donation to Share Our Strength. You can do this up to five times by March 1. AT&T will match those donations up to $100,000.
- Hold a food drive to help replenish the depleted supplies. January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, is a national day of service and a great day to launch your drive. Visit Strength.org to find a food bank or pantry in your area and a list of the most needed foods.
- Spread the word about Operation No Kid Hungry through Twitter, Facebook, blogs, email – whatever you choose.
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