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Idealism in Action Gala 2009: Honoring Governor Frank Keating and Presenting the 2009 Idealists of the Year

The 2008 Lifetime of Idealism Awardees, Mayor and Mrs. Fenty, at the 2008 Idealism in Action Gala.

Don't miss out on this year's Idealism in Action Gala on May 14 at 6:30pm at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building. City Year Washington, DC will be awarding the 2009 Lifetime of Idealism Award to Governor Frank Keating for his over 30-year career in public service. City Year will also recognize Washington, DC's most committed employee volunteers with the 2009 Idealist of the Year awards. This is a great way to recognize someone from your corporate family for their community commitment. Every table sponsor has the opportunity to nominate an employee as an Idealist of the Year who will be recognized at the Gala and featured in a June issue of National Journal.

There is still time to participate and attend this great event! Table sponsorships and limited individual tickets are still available. CLICK HERE for more information or contact Development Director Audra Clark.

HIGHLIGHTS

Good News for AmeriCorps; National Service legislation passes the House of Representatives and the Senate!

AmeriCorps programs across the nation are rejoicing in the passage of recent legislation that will increase volunteer opportunities, including AmeriCorps, across our nation. On March 26, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1388, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act by a broad, bipartisan margin of 79-19. Coauthored by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), with crucial support from Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), this legislation will increase service and volunteerism across the country and expand AmeriCorps from 75,000 members serving each year to 250,000.

The Serve America Act also increases the AmeriCorps education award from $4,725 to $5,350, linking it to the maximum value of a Pell Grant. Awarded after an AmeriCorps member completes their term of service, the education award can be used to pay loans or tuition at any accredited college or university. The education award of $4,725 was first established during the inception of AmeriCorps in 1994 and has never seen an increase, although the cost of tuition has significantly increased since then. Beyond the education award, the Serve America Act makes improvements to the existing national service infrastructure to ensure program accountability, efficiency, and results.

President Obama specifically asked congressional leaders to pass this legislation in his address to Congress last month. The House was first to respond and passed a companion bill, entitled Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education (GIVE) Act, on March 18 with overwhelming support, 321-105. City Year Washington, DC is proud to have witnessed such important legislation move through the halls of Congress. Now on its way to the President for approval, the AmeriCorps program can be expanded and more people will have the opportunity to give back to their community through programs like City Year. CLICK HERE for more information about both pieces of legislation.

School Gardens Project Kicks-Off

Students help build a garden at Garrison Elementary School.

Each year, City Year Washington, DC has 15 senior corps members, most of whom are in their second year of service. Together with the staff, the 15 senior corps members work to powerfully lead and support the first year corps members. Additionally, as a group, the senior corps members take on a project called the Senior Corps Initiative in which they come up with a new and innovative project to implement in the community. This year, the senior corps members are implementing "Gardens Growing Learners," a program aimed at enhancing academic achievement, increasing school community, promoting healthy lifestyles, and increasing the environmental stewardship of students.

On Friday, April 17, City Year corps members, volunteers, and community partners will help the senior corps members build gardens at Francis-Stevens Educational Campus in Northwest DC and Browne Gibbs Young Educational Campus in Northeast DC. Following the creation of the gardens, students in City Year's after-school programs will begin learning about the environment and ways they can make a difference. For five weeks, corps members will facilitate lessons that include the garden as an outdoor classroom. Through this project, senior corps members expect to teach the students about environmental science and healthy habits through hands-on lessons, while fostering a sense of community and positive school climate. Senior corps members also plan to build a similar garden at Turner at Green Elementary School in Southeast DC.

The senior corps members recently applied for and received a grant to fund this project. During the last few months, senior corps members have worked with the entire Washington, DC corps to design the environmental curriculum, including a garden journal for each student to take home and how-to guides for planting, engaging parents and community members, and managing the budget. The Gardens Growing Learners project is the perfect way for corps members to use their creativity in teaching students about the environment, while at the same time stretching the minds of the students!

Record Turn Out for the Alumni and Friends Fundraiser

Alumni pose for a picture at the Alumni and Friends Fundraiser.

On Friday, February 27, nearly 100 alumni and friends came out to support City Year Washington, DC at the third annual Alumni and Friends Fundraiser. Held at City Year Washington, DC Headquarters, the evening included food and drinks, raffle prizes (including an iPod Nano and a $250 cosmetics gift package from the Balm), and an appearance by National Alumni Director Sean McDevitt. The City Year Washington, DC Alumni Board also recognized the 2009 Alumni Ambassadors, those alumni who have gone above and beyond their duties as an alum and have dedicated significant time and money to the success of City Year Washington, DC. There were alumni in attendance from 8 sites, including the founding Boston corps of ‘88! City Year Alumni who purchased tickets to the event also joined the 2009 Alumni Leadership Circle, which now has over 35 members!

By the end of the night, the event raised $4,705 for City Year Washington, DC! As of today, we are proud to announce that alumni, with the help of an anonymous challenge grant, have raised a total of $9,410! Thank you to everyone who participated in and helped with this great event. If you are a City Year Alumni, and would like more information on upcoming alumni events, please visit the City Year Alumni Website or contact Recruitment and Alumni Affairs Manager Derick Eng.