Press Release: AmeriCorps Appreciation Week is March 7 – 13 – Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2021

Media Contacts:
Katelyn Willoughby-Bagley Director, Marketing & Communications
415.448.0330, kwilloughby@cvnl.org

Linda Jacobs, CEO
415.479.5710 x300, ldavis@cvnl.org

AmeriCorps Appreciation Week is March 7 – 13

Join CVNL in celebrating volunteers united in service

BAY AREA, CA, 3/4/21 – Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) will join thousands of local leaders nationwide to highlight and celebrate the impact of national service in tackling local problems during AmeriCorps Appreciation Week, March 7 through March 13, 2021.

AmeriCorps engages more than 270,000 Americans each year in sustained, results-driven service through its AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs. Dedicated citizens help communities impacted by COVID-19, ensure students stay on track to graduate, combat hunger and homelessness, respond to natural disasters, fight the opioid epidemic, help seniors live independently, support veterans and military families, and so much more.

The weeklong AmeriCorps Week celebration also honors the contributions and support of thousands of local organizations that make AmeriCorps programs possible. In California, 4,000 AmeriCorps members are serving. AmeriCorps members across the state will host collaborative service projects ranging from hosting a national service networking and resource convention, providing healthy food and futures for youth, and promoting of literacy and reading comprehension.

“National service is a vital resource,” said Linda Jacobs, CEO at CVNL. “AmeriCorps Members make our counties better places to live. I am grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of these exceptional citizens, who are helping make our communities safer, stronger, and healthier.”

CVNL is currently hosting 5 AmeriCorps Members; 3 AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project Members (VIPs) and 2 AmeriCorps VISTAS, who were recruited by California Volunteers. The VIP Program focuses on building sustainable volunteer programs at nonprofit organizations that meet critical needs. AmeriCorps VISTAS focus on alleviating poverty, helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. CVNL’s VISTAS are focused, specifically, on food insecurity and have helped address this issue through their recent MLK Days of Service Project (read more here: https://www.cvnl.org/news/celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-with-30-days-of-action/). Both VIPs and VISTAS also support disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in Sonoma, Solano, Marin, and Napa counties.

Since 2017, CVNL has managed the Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) AmeriCorps Program in the Bay Area. Nonprofits that have strong volunteer programs can serve more clients and tackle more of our communities’ challenges. CVNL recruits and matches VIP Fellows, who join a nonprofit team and help build systems that recruit, train, support, manage, and measure the success of volunteers.

CVNL would like to recognize its AmeriCorps Members serving in its four counties:

Marin County: Beth Sherbo (VIP) + Sophia Luna (VISTA)
Napa County: Melinda Earp (VISTA)
Solano County: Laura Galang (VIP) + Melinda Earp (VISTA)
Sonoma County: Keely McCormick (VIP) + Sophia Luna (VISTA)

Jessica Grace-Gallagher, CVNL Sonoma County Manager/Volunteer Services, is overseeing CVNL’s AmeriCorps Members, as well as projects with nonprofits across the Bay Area including UMCOR, Downtown Streets Team, and Community Action Marin.

“This AmeriCorps Week, join us as we celebrate the impact AmeriCorps programs have in our communities and offer thanks to each and every one for volunteering to serve others,” said Elaine Tokolahi, CVNL’s Director of Volunteer Services.

To help organizations and individuals, CVNL has published an AmeriCorps Appreciation Week Toolkit at cvnl.org/blog. To read more about CVNL’s AmeriCorps Program and its current Members/Fellows, visit https://volunteer.cvnl.org/americorps. For more information on how to find an AmeriCorps Week service project near you, visit https://www.volunteerar.org/americorpsweek.

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About CVNL: For over 50 years, CVNL has advanced nonprofits and volunteerism by strengthening leadership, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals in their communities. Passion alone isn’t enough when it comes to creating strong nonprofits. That’s why we work with aspiring and established leaders and volunteers every day to help them build the skills and connections that can take their impact to the next level. Together we offer comprehensive programs that support nonprofits and volunteers including training, executive search, customized consulting solutions, volunteer services, and corporate engagement. Heart of Marin™, Heart of Napa™, and Heart of Sonoma County™ events support nonprofits of every size and mission through recognition and cash awards. Other programs and services include the Sonoma Human Race, Secret Santa, Court Referral Program, and Volunteer Wheels. We provide disaster preparedness training and serve as an Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC), overseeing spontaneous volunteers and donations for Napa, Marin, Solano, and Sonoma Counties in the aftermath of a disaster. We believe that with confident and prepared leaders and volunteers, our nonprofits will be better equipped to create healthy, happy communities. Visit www.cvnl.org to discover more.