Topic: AmeriCorps

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No child left alone: Volunteers mentor children of inmates

With 2.3 million inmates behind bars in the US, the goal of volunteers in mentor programs for the 2.7 million children of prisoners is: No child left alone. Despite government cuts in funding, the programs continue.
Decoder Wire
The other Martin Luther King Jr. holiday: how it's observed

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, established in 1994, is meant to be a day of personal action in Dr. King’s memory – as its boosters say, a day on, not a day off.
Millennial Generation challenges religion in America

The Millennial Generation believes in God, but is even less interested in organized religion than were baby boomers or Generation X in their youth. Religions in America may be able to attract Millennials by appealing to their values, especially volunteering and service.
The New Economy
Peace Corps for retirees? It's a second chance to serve.

Peace Corps and other national service programs could take advantage of skills and know-how of retiring boomers. The Peace Corps would work even better.
The Vote
House passes spending bill, but the fight's just starting

Republicans in the House pushed through a spending bill that targets many popular programs in a way sure to set up confrontation with the Democrat-run Senate and the Obama administration.
Republicans take a $100 billion whack at Obama budget

Bending to party conservatives – notably tea partiers – House GOP leaders propose steep cuts in many popular programs for the rest of the fiscal year. Will it lead to a government shut-down?
Rebellion in GOP ranks: How Boehner lost control of the House this week

Republican freshman – tea partyers and others – keep breaking ranks, leading to shocking legislative defeats. Now, 87 representatives and 11 senators have written to Speaker of the House John Boehner to insist on $100 billion in budget cuts.
For Israeli Arab teens, a way to serve the country – without joining the army

A civil service program gives Israel's Arab high school graduates – who are exempt from the military draft faced by Jewish 18-year-olds – the opportunity to contribute to their state.
The Simple Dollar
More family income! Now what? Save, remodel, or splurge?

Reader mailbag: With the prospect of more family income, decide what's most important to both of you.
Michelle Obama's next childhood obesity target: summer break

As part of her campaign against childhood obesity, Michelle Obama helped launch the ‘Let’s Read. Let’s Move.’ program involving exercise, healthy eating, and reading during the summer break.
It's bipartisan: Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush agree on community service

The two presidents celebrate a surge in volunteerism. The challenge is how to target and keep the free talent of millions of Americans.
Public service is cool again

Peace Corps and others see ’60s-style interest from recent grads.
Now, colleges pay students who defer school for service

More are offering grants and tuition credit to high school students who put off classes for a year or more of service.
First Lady calls for volunteers, young Americans answer

Michelle Obama asked for more community service Monday, but rising volunteerism among Generation Y suggest it has already caught the spirit.
Nigeria's lesson for America: civil service

Its youth service is a promising way to strengthen social bonds.
How an immigration raid changed a town

Tiny Postville, Iowa, struggles to regain its footing one year after the largest immigration sweep in US history.
What Obama's call to national service needs

More volunteers won't help if nonprofits aren't ready for them.
In tough times, graduates (and parents) assess the worth of a liberal arts education

At one Vermont college, commencement's joys trump worries about debt, job prospects.
Bipartisanship, finally ... on a community-service bill

The legislation will increase spending on federal community-service programs by 25 percent.
Tea Party protests: Could they rally change in government?

Protests against Washington spending took place in more than 700 US cities Wednesday.
Students in urban schools get big boost from pioneering tutor program

Comprehension and other critical skills improve dramatically with one-on-one help from Experience Corps' volunteers, a new study shows.
Want a better, safer world? Volunteer.

Employment, education, and peace are interlinked.
Economic downturn frays America's safety net

Advocates for nonprofit aid agencies hope they'll get some help in the economic stimulus package.
US economic crisis puts youth corps at risk

While Obama urges expanding conservation corps, cash-strapped states such as California mull cutbacks.
The next generation of willing and ready volunteers: baby boomers

Enlisting even a fraction of them to volunteer would be a boon for the US.