Latest State News on Emergency Conditions In Virginia

Many people have asked whether there is a central information site for the latest conditions and news about an emergency in Virginia. The best website for emergency news is the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at http://www.vaemergency.com The site updates the latest news and situation reports regarding emergencies. There is also a link on the Virginia Emergency website to www.ReadyVirginia.gov which has specific information about preparing for emergencies, including tornado preparedness.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:47 AM - Categories: Press Releases

Virginia Volunteer Week - April 27-May 3, 2008

Governor’s Proclamation Around Volunteerism

> View Proclamation at Governor's Website

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:49 AM - Categories: Press Releases

High School Seniors In Henry County/Martinsville Learn Real World Is Expensive

An eye-opening lesson for high school seniors in the Henry County/Martinsville area. They're learning the real world is expensive.

The United Way hosted a money management fair Wednesday at Patrick Henry Community College called "Dollars and Sense." Volunteers gave each student a job, a salary, and a slew of every day expenses that come with it.

Along with a car note and food, students also found out how quickly money disappears when you have to pay for health and car insurance, furniture, and those unexpected items that pop up.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:54 AM - Categories: Press Releases

National Volunteer Week - April 27-May 3, 2008

Celebrate your volunteers

This week is about engaging individuals in service, inspiring a nation to join a movement for change, and recognizing deserving volunteers for their efforts. Volunteers are at the heart of many of our organizations, they answer phones, plant trees, tutor youth, visit seniors, stock food pantries, fix computers, teach people to read, offer a friendly voice in time of need... Volunteers give their time and energy to help build a better community for all of us.

Send a note or post information on your website or newsletter... take the time to recognize the impact and effort of your volunteers and in turn they will understand the wealth of resources and energy that they are giving back.

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Points of Light & Hands On Network is seeking stories of ordinary people taking extraordinary steps to create positive change in their communities. Our goal is to leverage these stories for media coverage to inspire the nation around what incredible volunteers are doing to transform their communities. Details on how you can submit these powerful stories are below.

Inspire a nation with your story
How did you, someone you know or an outstanding group of people make a positive impact in your community? Tell us the story and include:

• Inspiration: What motivated you to get involved?
• Action: What did you do?
• Results: What's different now?

Go to www.nvwstories.org to share your story and upload photos or video that illustrate it. You also can upload project photos for the world to see your success at www.flickr.com. Just sign in with 'nvw2008@yahoo.com', and the password is 'createchange'. Once logged in, you can easily upload photos and captions!

Submit stories beginning today through May 12 Stories submitted by April 24, 2008 will be considered for use as feature stories for National Volunteer Week. Stories submitted by May 12, 2008 will be considered for use as feature stories at our 2008 National Conference on Volunteering (June 1 - 3). Stories submitted after May 12, 2008 will be considered for use as feature stories in ongoing media, Web site features and other marketing collateral.

Join the movement. Inspire people to change their world. Share a change story now at www.nvwstories.org.

Vanessa Diamond
Director, Hands On Greater Richmond
Be the Change. VOLUNTEER

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:52 AM - Categories: Member News

Coalition On Human Needs Webinar - "Towards Shared Recovery"

People and Communities are Hurting.
How Helping Them is Not Only Right – It's the Best Way to Boost the Economy

Please join the Coalition On Human Needs to learn about proposals before Congress to respond to the recession, and about a growing effort by advocates to support the most effective forms of aid: extending unemployment benefits, help with the high cost of food and home energy, funds to states to prevent cuts to Medicaid, child support, and other services, and school repair. (For more information, see Towards Shared Recovery, at http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/stimulus4142008.pdf)

This 60-minute webinar will feature a Member of Congress (details coming soon), Jared Bernstein, Director of the Living Standards program at the Economic Policy Institute, a prominent, engaging, and jargon-free economist, and Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director of the Coalition on Human Needs, to explain how putting more money in the hands of people and communities who need it is the best way to reverse the recession, as well as one of the best prospects this year for federal help to those in need. Ellen Teller of the Food Research and Action Center will moderate. It's a great way to get answers to your questions about the recession and to learn about easy steps to take to make sure Congress knows this assistance is urgently needed.

Sign up today – and forward this message to let others know. It's free, thanks to the generous support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The webinar and related materials will be available on the Coalition on Human Needs' website after the live presentation. Please sign up to be sure you get the links to all the information we will make available.

Posted by VACAP Archives at 11:58 AM - Categories: Press Releases | Stimulus

Governor Announces 2008 Volunteerism and Community Service Award Recipients

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards. These awards highlight the efforts of outstanding citizens of the Commonwealth who seek to enhance the lives of others in their communities. The awards are presented to groups, individuals and families whose efforts exemplify extraordinary volunteer service.

“I congratulate the winning volunteers who help us move Virginia forward and improve the quality of life for all Virginians,” said Governor Kaine. “When we serve our community as volunteers, our unique skills, perspectives and experience make us a stronger Commonwealth.”

> Read More

Posted by VACAP Archives at 12:02 PM - Categories: Press Releases | Member News

Senator Webb Strongly Supports "Second Chance Act" To Increase Funds For Prisoner Re-entry Programs

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today expressed his strong support for the enactment into law of the "Second Chance Act," bi-partisan legislation that seeks to make communities safer by providing the resources necessary to reduce recidivism rates. Webb, a cosponsor of the measure, has made the nation’s growing prison population one of his top legislative priorities.

> Visit Senator Jim Webb's Website

Posted by VACAP Archives at 2:01 PM - Categories: Press Releases