13 is our Lucky Number!

Hello All!

We have exciting news: All 13 of our VISTAs openings have been filled. The PWC VISTAs will now serve at: Haven House, South Lansing Community Development Association, South Side Community Coalition, Greater Lansing Homeless Resolution Network, NorthWest Initiatives, Reach Studio Art Center, Christian Services/LOVE INC, Refugee Development Center, North Neighborhood Center, The Garden Project, Franklin Street Community Housing Corporation, New Life Program and Old Town Commerical Association to help build capacity.

New VISTAs will be attending Pre-Service Orientation in Chicago December 2nd through the 5th and attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Our website (http://www.ingham.org/ce/CD/home.htm) reflects these updates. Please check out the Current VISTAs page to learn about our new additions and what their doing in each organization.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays!

ServiceNation

On September 11th and 12th, 2008 a movement began to inspire America: ServiceNation. By 2020, we hope to have 100 million citizens serving their nation in schools, workplaces and faith-based community organizations. Proudly, our Governor Granholm signed the pledge: a Declaration of Service, as the first Governor followed by NY and CA. This is an opportunity for citizens to unite around common causes and take responsibility for their future.

"This campaign now focuses on building a national grassroots movement aimed at inspiring widespread public support for increasing voluntary community and national service opportunities, solving problems with proven service strategies, and elevating service as a core ideal of civic engagement. ServiceNation encourages all Americans to step forward and take the lead in bridging our divides, strengthening our communities, and building a more vibrant democracy" (bethechange.org, 2008).

If you're interested in learning more please go to http://bethechangeinc.org/servicenation or to sign the pledge click on http://bethechangeaction.org/servicenation/take_action/declaration

Let's make this happen.To hear more from ServiceNation, check out their ChangeWire: news and notes from the world of social change at http://www.bethechangeinc.org/changewire/

December Pre-Service Orientation

The Power of We Consortium VISTA project has sworn in members at South Lansing Community Development Association and Reach Studio Art Center early. We still have five slots to fill at the Pre-Service Orientation during Dec. 2nd - 5th in Chicago, IL. If you're interested in working with:

Haven House
Gateway Community Services
Franklin Street Community Housing Corporation
The Garden Project
Old Town Commerical Association

Please call the Project Coordinator at (517) 887-4594 or email mzumbrunnen@ingham.org. We must fill out application and paperwork before October 22nd.

Check back soon for the good works these dedicated service volunteers are completing.

New sub-sites

Greetings! We have successfully brought on board two new VISTA sub-sites and re-upped a continuing project. Welcome to Gateway Community Services and Haven House with congratulations to South Side Community Coalition.

Gateway Community Services has provided a comprehensive range of services to children, adolescents and families in crisis in the Greater Lansing area since 1970 to empower and strengthen them to become stable and self-sustaining members of the community.

Haven House provides emergency housing and support services for one-parent and two-parent families with children. The shelter helps families who are homeless prepare for permanent housing by developing and promoting self-sufficiency, stability, and financial responsibility.

We're also continuing work with South Side Community Coalition that provides educational programs, job training, life skills, and recreational opportunities for the youth and community members on the south side of Lansing.

For more information please email: mzumbrunnen@ingham.org

November Pre-Service Orientation: Position Openings!

Greetings!

We currently have six openings available for new VISTAs to begin their term of service on November 21st. Please see the PWC Project website at http://www.ingham.org/ce/CD/home.htm for details about position openings.

A Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) will be held November 17th-20th, most likely in Chicago, IL. During this time new VISTA members will be sworn in, trained on poverty related topics and educated about what it means to be a VISTA. Check out www.americorps.gov to learn more about PSO.

If you have questions please don't hesitate to call me at (517) 887-4594 or email mzumbrunnen@ingham.org.

New Pre-Service Orientation (PSO)!

I am happy to announce we will be sending a new VISTA (Refugee Development Center) to PSO in August and up to six in November. Paperwork deadlines will be announced as they are settled and updates posted.

Look for project plans and position announcements on the PWC VISTA Project and the www.americorps.gov websites. If you are interested in applying, please create an account on the My AmeriCorps portal to access the application.

Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions at: mzumbrunnen@ingham.org
or call (517) 887-4594.

Best wishes!

Welcome! We're up and running....

Welcome to the Power of We Consortium VISTA Project Blog. This is our space to share ideas, network, celebrate successes and problem solve together. Please remember to use this site in a professional manner that will benefit our VISTA members. I'm proud to be part of the this project and excited to see the growth of each individual VISTA and their organization as a result of their determined capacity building. Here's to the future of continued service and sustainable development of Lansing non-profits!