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to Volunteer PowerNews!...your
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information for students,
parents and educators. It
contains youth volunteer
opportunities, agency and
student spotlights, upcoming
special events, scholarships,
grant information and much
more! Stay
connected to what is going on
in your community and around
the world!
Sincerely,
The Volunteer Center of
North Texas
serving Collin, Dallas
and Tarrant counties
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President
Obama Launches White House
Internship Program
"This
program will mentor and
cultivate young leaders of
today and tomorrow and I'm
proud that they will have this
opportunity to serve,"
said President Obama. "I
look forward to working with
those that are selected to
participate and I want to
commend all who apply for
their desire to help through
public service to forge a
brighter future for our
country."
In addition to normal office
duties, interns will
supplement their learning
experience by attending a
weekly lecture series hosted
by senior White House staff,
help at White House social
events, and volunteer in
community service projects.
The 2009 Summer Internship
program runs from May 22 to
August 14, and the submission
deadline is March 22,
2009. More
information on the White House
Internship Program, including
application instructions, can
be found at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships.
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| 2009
Summer Internship at the Pew
Hispanic Center
The
Pew Hispanic Center is offering
a paid internship opportunity
during the summer of 2009 in
Washington, D.C. for
undergraduate or graduate level
students with an interest in
studying Latinos in the United
States. The summer intern will
be expected to produce an
original research project of his
or her own, as well as assist
Center researchers on a variety
of projects. The internship
begins in June and will last
8-10 weeks.
Applicants
must have completed at least
their sophomore year in
college. Complete applications
should be submitted by April
3, 2009. For
more information about
applying visit, http://pewhispanic.org/about/careers.
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State
Farm Youth Advisory Board
Applications
are now available for the
State Farm Youth Advisory
Board at http://www.statefarmyab.com/apply.php
The State Farm Youth Advisory
Board is one of the nations'
most exciting opportunities for
youth empowerment and
development. The board is
comprised of a diverse group of
30 young people, ages 17-20,
chosen from each of 12 U.S.
State Farm zones which cover all
states within the United States,
and one State Farm Canadian
zone.Scholarships are provided
to Youth Advisory Board members.
Members of this Board play an
important leadership role in
creating and overseeing a $5
million a year signature
service-learning initiative
which addresses pressing
issues of importance to youth,
State Farm, and communities
across North America. Applications
must be postmarked by March
31, 2009. Learn more
at http://www.statefarmyab.com/apply.php.
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 NEED
FREE BOOKS FOR YOUR SCHOOL?
REGISTER
NOW at www.firstbook.org/register
to access free new books through
the Book Donation Campaign.The
Campaign is a multi-year effort
of the U.S. Department of
Education, First Book and a host
of major U.S. book publishing
companies to promote literacy
and supply books to children in
need. In support of the
Campaign, First Book secures
publisher donations and
identifies the recipient groups,
while the U.S. Department of
Education warehouses and ships
books free-of-charge from its
national distribution center.
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Exploring
Engineering
E2@UMD
is a one-week summer program
at the University of
Maryland for high school
women (rising juniors or
seniors) who are considering
engineering as a possible
major and career. Students
will live on campus for
one-week and explore the
world of engineering through
fun hands-on activities,
laboratory experiments,
informative workshops, team
challenges, and seminars
with professional
engineers.The two sessions begin
July 12-18 or July 19-25.
Partial and full
scholarships are available.
For more information, go to www.wie.umd.edu/precollege/e2umd.html or
call 301-405-3283. Application
review begins April 6,
2009.
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Boys
State Summer Leadership
Program
The
American Legion sponsors a
week-long summer leadership
program called Boys State .
This year's program will be
held at the University of
Texas at Austin from June
6-12. If you are a junior
interested in a leadership
opportunity see your guidance
counselor
right away for more
information. Applications are
due by April 15. For more
information, visit www.txlegion.org/boys_state.htm.
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Free
CDC Disease Detective Camp
The
National Center for Health
Marketing Global Health Odyssey
Museum is pleased to offer the
2009 CDC Disease Detective Camp
(DDC).
DDC is an academic day camp for
students who will be high school
juniors and seniors during the
2009-2010 school year. Campers
will take
on the roles of disease
detectives and learn how CDC
safeguards the
national health. The camp will
be offered twice from June 22-26
and
July 13-17. For more info and to
apply, go to the website at www.cdc.gov/gcc/exhibit/camp.htm. Deadline
is April 20, 2009. |
 March
is Red Cross Month
Change
A Life Contest
In just
a few words tell us how a Red Cross
experience changed your life
or someone else's life. Submit
your story before March
16, and you'll be
entered for a chance to win
great prizes generously
donated by country music star
Keith Urban and Philips
Healthcare. For more
information, visit http://american.redcross.org/changealifecontest.
|
 Don't
Mess with Texas Trash-Off
The
Don't Mess with Texas
Trash-Off is the single
largest one day cleanup event
in the state and serves as
Texas' signature event for the
Great American Cleanup, the
nation's largest community
improvement program, held
annually from March 1 through
May 31. In 2008, more than
57,000 volunteers picked up 5
million pounds of litter to
help keep our state beautiful.
The Don't Mess with Texas
Trash-Off is part of the
partnership between Keep Texas
Beautiful and the Texas
Department of Transportation.
Participants can receive trash
bags, volunteer giveaways,
promotional items, and more.
Get involved now! For
additional information,
contact Anne Cunic at anne@ktb.org
or
visit the website at http://ktb.org/programs/great-american-cleanup.aspx.
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 National
Women's History Month
To
address the absence of
information about women in
America's schools, the
National Women's History
Project (NWHP) led a movement
to have Congress designate a
celebration to recognize
women's historic achievements.
Congress and the President
followed by declaring March as
National Women's History
Month. For additional
information or suggestions for
promoting and celebrating
National Women's History Month
in your community, visit http://www.nwhp.org.
New
The Secret Life of Bees
Curriculum Available from
F.I.L.M.
Based on the 2002 novel of the
same by Sue Monk Kidd, The
Secret Life of Bees, set
in 1964, tells the touching
story of Lily Owens as she
leaves her troubled life in
pursuit of her deceased
mother's past. Accompanied by
her caretaker, Rosaleen, the
two seek shelter in the
Boatwright home, a family of
three intelligent, talented
African-American sisters who
manage their own honey
business.
The free, downloadable
curriculum, The Secret
Life of Bees: Discussion and
Activity Guide includes
interactive group, individual,
and partner activities for
youth ages 13-17. Themes in
the guide include:
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 A TREEmendous
Volunteer Event
Help
plant 100 trees at Skyline
High School, based on the
Roadmap to Planning and
Planting Trees. Skyline was
chosen because it weaves
together planting for energy
efficiency, education, and a
large project that will not
only act as a "carbon
sink" but it will
decrease the ambient air
temperatures.
Join other volunteers at
Skyline High School, Saturday,
March 28, 2009 from
8:00 am to Noon. To register
for this event or another tree
planting project with the
Texas Trees Foundation, please
contact Amy James at
214-953-1184 or amy@texastreesfoundation.org.
|
 Get
Involved Now!
Event:
Chocolate & Arts
Festival - A festival to
include chocolate tasting,
art exhibit, and live music
benefiting Travlers Aid DFW.
Where: 300
S. Main, Grapevine
Contact:
Tammy Hingtgen, tammy@travelersaiddfw.org.
Phone:
972-574-4420
Website:
www.travelersaiddfw.org
Needs:
Volunteers needed March
13-14 to set up tables
and chairs, hang/remove signage,
install and remove temporary
fencing/gates, load and unload
supplies and equipment and
general clean-up following
events. There is nothing
volunteers need to bring however
volunteers should wear
comfortable clothing and shoes.
Minimum Age: 16
Event:
Discovery Saturday - An event to
include the discovery of science
and nature in everything along
with fun activities for young
and old alike hosted by the
Museum of Nature and Science.
Where: 1318 So.
2nd, Dallas
Contact: Susan
Meyer, smeyer@natureandscience.org.
Phone:
972-201-0552
Website:
www.natureandscience.org
Needs:
Volunteers needed Saturday, March
14 to assist with crowd
control and activities during
the day. ***Location at Fair
Park.
Minimum Age: 13
Event: Lone
Star Vintage Tractor Show - An
event to include the North Texas
agricultural history and
technology for over 100 years,
from walk behind and mule drawn
plows to the diesel powered four
wheel drive tractors of today.
There will be over a hundred
fifty pieces of vintage farm
equipment displayed and
demonstrations of different
farming techniques on over ten
acres of land. This event will
also feature blacksmiths
crafting iron, hay wagon rides,
cows being milked, handicrafts
and more hosted by the North
Texas History Center.
Where: 7117
County Road 166, McKinney
Contact:
Natalie Rawlinson, natalie@northtexashistorycenter.org.
Phone:
972-542-9457
Website:
www.collincountyhistory.org
Needs:
Volunteers needed March
28 - 29 from 9:00 a.m.
- 4:00 p.m. to assist guests
with loading and unloading from
the hay wagon and ride in the
wagon making sure guests are
safe. Volunteers will also
oversee the farm museum, answer
questions and ensure the safety
of guests and equipment.
Volunteers should wear
appropriate clothing for
weather. ***Location at Myers
Park and Event Center.
Minimum Age: 16
Event:
Volunteer Day at the TXU Energy
Urban Tree Farm - An event to
include the opportunity to make
an investment in "Greening
North Central Texas" by
helping the Texas Trees
Foundation maintain over 70,000
trees at two Urban Tree Farms.
Where: 12800
Abrams Rd, Dallas
Contact: Amy
James, amy@texastreesfoundation.org.
Phone:
214-953-1184
Website:
www.texastreesfoundation.org
Needs:
Volunteers needed Saturday, March
28 from 8:00 a.m. -
12:00 p.m. to plant and
transplant seedlings, stake,
weed, mulch and water trees.
Volunteers should bring water
bottle, sunscreen, hat and a
pair of gardening gloves.
Volunteers should also wear
clothes and shoes you don't mind
getting dirty and be prepared to
have a TREEmendous good time!
***Location at Parking Lot
"D" Richland College.
Minimum Age: 8
Event:
Butterfly Boogie - An event to
include a 5K and 10K race, 5K
Competitive Walk and a 1Mile
Buggy Boogie to benefit World
Craniofacial Foundation.
Where: 3505
maple Ave, Dallas
Contact: Jen
Griffin, jen@worldcf.org.
Phone:
972-566-6669
Website:
www.worldcf.org
Needs:
Volunteers needed on Saturday, March
28 from 7:00 a.m. -
12:00 p.m. to assist with set
up, registration, water
stations, food and clean up.
Volunteers need to bring a
smile, willing attitude and
comfortable shoes.
Minimum Age: 12
Event: Movie
Night - An event to include
movie and a dinner for cancer
patients and their families
hosted by Cancer Care Services.
Where: 623
South Henderson, Fort Worth
Contact: Cindy
Vasquez, cindy@cancercareservices.org.
Phone:
817-921-0653
Website:
www.cancercareservices.org
Needs:
Volunteers needed Saturday, March
21 at 3:30 p.m. to
assist with set up, food
preparation, serve, greet and
clean up. Volunteers must be
sensitive to the needs of cancer
patients and be able to lift 15
pounds.
Minimum Age: 14
Event: My
Possibilities: Field Trip - An
event to include dinner at a
restaurant and a movie for adult
students with developmental
disabilities hosted by My
Possibilities
Where: 4800 W
Park Blvd, Plano
Contact:
Lateefah Shaheed, lshaheed@vcnt.org.
Phone:
214-826-6767
Website:
www.mypossibilities.org
Needs:
Volunteers needed Friday, March
20 from 11:00 a.m. -
3:30 p.m. to chaperone and
interact with MY Possibilties'
HIPsters (Hugely Important
People) during a Friday
afternoon fieldtrip to Chili's
Restaurant and Cinemark West
Plano Theater (formerly
Tinseltown Plano). All
volunteers are responsible for
purchasing their own dinner and
movie ticket. Volunteers will
meet at the Chili's at Park and
Preston in Plano.
Minimum Age: 16
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| Stayin'
Alive
Get
involved globally and
participate in the National
Student Dance Initiative to
eradicate malaria! Every
day, 3,000 children die of
malaria-but a simple $10 bed net
can help to protect them from
mosquitoes that transmit the
disease. Host a Malaria No
More Stayin' Alive dance or make
it part of the upcoming
Valentine's Day, Spring Fling or
Prom season. Donate a portion of
the proceeds, raise awareness
and save lives. To learn more,
visit http://www.MalariaNoMore.org/stayinalive.
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Sweat
for Nets
Every
age can get involved in the
fight against malaria! In
response to the worldwide
pandemic, Children for Children™
has developed Sweat for Nets™,
a web-based and
community-centered
service-learning and fundraising
program to involve school-aged
children in an awareness network
that enables them to learn and
teach others about the urgency
of the global fight against
malaria. Through Sweat for Nets,
children learn the importance of
insecticide treated bed nets in
preventing the spread of
malaria, and methods of raising
funds to purchase these nets for
their at-risk peers around the
world.
Children
for Children is partnering with
the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) Foundation
on the Sweat for Nets Program,
to engage young people from all
around the world to get active
in the fight against malaria.
A program toolkit is available
to help young people develop fun
and meaningful service-learning
programs at home, school or in
the community. To learn
more and download the toolkit,
visit http://www.childrenforchildren.org.
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Kohl's
Kids Who Care Scholarship
Program
Through
the Kohl's Kids Who Care
scholarship program, the
Kohl's Corporation plans to
award a total of over $350,000
in scholarships and prizes
this year to more than two
thousand kids whose volunteer
efforts have made a positive
impact on their communities.
The program recognizes and
rewards young volunteers (ages
6 to 18) who help make their
communities a better place. To
be eligible for an award, the
young person's efforts should
be above and beyond what is
normally expected of a child
his or her age. Volunteer
efforts should have made a
positive impact on others and
occurred in the last twelve
months. The
deadline is March 15,
2009. For more
information visit,
|
 "Will
to Win" College Scholarship
Schering-Plough's
"Will to Win"
college scholarship
demonstrates to young asthma
sufferers that the condition,
when properly treated and
managed, need not affect their
ability to excel.
All high
school seniors with asthma who
will graduate in the 2009
school year and hold a minimum
cumulative grade point average
of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale are
eligible. Scholarships of
$5,000 will be awarded to two
deserving high school seniors
in five categories, including:
- Performing
arts (dance, music, theater)
- Visual
arts (painting, drawing,
sculpture, photography,
film)
- Community
Service
- Athletics
- Science
The
deadline is April 30,
2009. For more
information visit, http://www.schering-ploughwilltowin.com.
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Do
Something Awards Exceptional
Youth
Do
Something is accepting
applications for the
annual Do Something
Awards. These awards
recognize youth in the
U.S. and Canada under the
age of twenty-five whose
self-initiated projects
are tangibly improving
their communities. Five
winners will each receive
a minimum of $10,000 in
community grants. From
among these winners, one
will be chosen as the
grand prize winner and
will receive a total of
$100,000 in community
grants. Note: Winners who
are eighteen years of age
or younger are eligible
for $5,000 in community
grants and a $5,000
scholarship. For more
information visit, www.dosomething.org/programs/awards.
Applications are due March
16, 2009.
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SAALT
ChangeMaker Awards
ChangeMaker
Young Activist Award:
This
award will recognize an
emerging leader (under 25)
who has created meaningful
change in their campus
and/or community through
their leadership, vision,
and passion. This can be
demonstrated through
paid/unpaid work for a
community organization,
community service, or a
leadership position in a
community or campus
organization, etc.
ChangeMaker
Private Sector Award:
This award will recognize an
individual who has leveraged
the unique talents of the
private sector to advance
corporate citizenship,
diversity, and partnerships
with non-profit
organizations. This
individual has contributed
to the community through
their work and has inspired
others in their sector to
get involved. This can be
demonstrated through pro
bono work, affinity group
involvement, volunteer work
in the community, etc.
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| 2009
Spirit of Service Awards
The
Corporation for National and
Community Service is calling
for nominations for the 2009
Spirit of Service Awards to
pay tribute to the most
outstanding participants in
each of its programs. The
Corporation will also take
nominations for the best
examples of private sector
support of your programs.
Please
nominate your best:
-
Senior
Corps volunteers from the
RSVP, Foster Grandparent,
and Senior Companion
programs
-
AmeriCorps
members and Alumni from
State and National, NCCC,
and VISTA programs
The
deadline is March 30,
2009. For more
information visit, http://www.NationalService.gov/spiritofservice.
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Dollar
for Change Service-Learning
Grants
Youth
Service America's (YSA),
YSA's National Youth Council
(NYC) and State Farm
Companies Foundation will
select the grantees (youth
ages 12-25) who will
collaborate with a teacher
or service-learning
coordinator. The
awards are up to $2,000, and
will support high-impact,
semester-long
service-learning projects. Upon
successful completion of
projects and evaluations,
grantees will become
eligible to compete for the
prestigious Harris Wofford
Youth Award in 2010, and be
recognized as a YSA Service
Star. To learn more,
download an application and
grant guidelines at http://www.YSA.org/awards. Accepting
applications: March -
April 30.
Questions? Send inquiries
to dollarsforchange@ysa.org.
|
 Teens
for Planet Earth Service
Awards
Applications
are now being accepted for
the 2009 Teens for Planet
Earth Service Awards. The
TPE Service Awards recognize
teens around the world for
service-learning projects
that demonstrate their
commitment to the
environment. TPE teams whose
projects are deemed to be of
exceptional quality will be
awarded at three levels:
Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Gold Award winning teams
receive $1,000 to further
enhance their projects or
education. Deadline is April
15, 2009. Learn
more at http://teens4planetearth.com/serviceawards.
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Gloria
Barron Prize for Young Heroes
The
Gloria Barron Prize for Young
Heroes seeks nominations for
its 2009 awards. The Barron
Prize honors young people ages
8 to 18 who have made a
significant positive
difference to people and our
planet. Each year, ten
national winners each receive
$2,500 to support their
service work or higher
education. Nomination deadline
is April 30.
For more information and to
nominate, visit http://www.barronprize.org.
Questions? Send inquiries
to ba_richman@barronprize.org.
|
Habitat
for Humanity Service-Learning
Partnership Grants
The
Service-Learning Partnership
provides funds for teachers
and schools to develop and
implement service-learning
projects in partnership with
their local Habitat affiliate.
For the 2009-2010 school year,
teachers and their local
Habitat affiliates can jointly
apply for a one-year grant of
up to $7,000 to cover
educational expenses
associated with the
service-learning project.
Details available at http://www.habitatyouthprograms.org. Accepting
applications: March -
May 15, 2009.
Questions? Send
inquiries to youthprograms@habitat.org.
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Agency
Spotlight
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River
Legacy
Living
Science Center
River
Legacy's mission is
environmental education and
conservation. Environmental
education is needed in order
for individuals to gain
awareness and appreciation of
the natural world, to
preserve the rich biodiversity
of our environment and to
inspire the desire to preserve
them for future generations.
River
Legacy heightens awareness and
appreciation of nature with
school programs, environmental
clubs for kids and free
educational festivals. During
those events we need the
assistance of generous
volunteers who can donate
time, skills and energy. River
Legacy volunteers are needed
to facilitate activities
related to nature, share their
enthusiasm with our visitors,
to spark curiosity, provoke
thought, set up, concessions
and /or cleanup.
Every Saturday in March,
join in a citywide litter
challenge to keep our
community healthy, safe and
beautiful! Volunteers are
needed to go in groups and
clean up River Legacy Parks.
If you are interested in
volunteering, please
contact Alma Pohler at alma@riverlegacy.org
or call 817.860.6752.
For more opportunities to
volunteer visit, www.riverlegacy.org/volunteers.html.
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Global
Youth Service Day
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Global
Youth Service Day (GYSD), April
24-26, 2009, is the largest
service event in the world,
involving millions of youth. The
goals of Global Youth
Service Day are to mobilize
youth to identify and address
the needs of their communities
through service; to support
youth on a life-long path of
service and civic engagement;
and to educate the public, the
media and policymakers about the
year-round contributions of
young people as community
leaders.
Join the millions of young
people across the world
performing volunteer projects
in areas ranging from literacy
and the environment to
healthcare, hunger and help
for the elderly. There
are many other ways to get
involved including:
- Help cook and/or serve a
meal at a homeless shelter
- Organize a neighborhood
group to plant, tend and
harvest a vegetable garden
- Deliver meals to homebound
individuals
- Hold a donation drive to
collect new or used clothing
for our families
- Host a party at a shelter
for children one night (it
can be themed for a holiday
or general) or
prepare a dinner as a group
to be delivered to a
shelter one night during the
week
Global Youth Service Day
is coordinated by Youth Service
America, in association with the
National Youth Leadership
Council and in partnership with
PARADE Magazine. For more
information, toolkits and
project ideas, visit www.gysd.org.
For a list of volunteer
opportunities in your area,
visit www.handsonnorthtexas.org.
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