Growing (and Stregnthening) Communities Through the Volunteer Generation Program

Colorado Conference on Volunteerism

Growing

- and Strengthening -

Communities

Through the

Volunteer Generation Program

Mission of the Commission Community Service

1. Administer the AmeriCorps * State Program to meet community needs through national service

2. Promote Volunteerism and Community Service statewide, supporting and improving the infrastructure of volunteer connector organizations, CVCN, nonprofit organizations, volunteer management and training organizations, DOVIA, to effectively use volunteers to meet community needs.

Volunteering in Colorado

1.2 million volunteers

32.4% or residents volunteer – 16th among states 167.3 million hours of service

44 hours per resident - 8th among states $3.5 billion of service contributed

Source: volunteeringinamerica.gov/CO

Trends Indicate an Increase in Volunteering

Despite the economic crisis Slight increase in the number of volunteers from

2008 to 2009 The number of hours volunteered per resident

increased from 38 hours to 42 hours – Still - a decided dip from the high of 53 hours in 2007

Since 2007- an increase of about 145,000 volunteers Total number of hours, and impact and value this

service remains constant

National Service In Colorado

Over 18,000 National Service Participants Senior Corps – 9,400 AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA – 5,000 Learn and Serve – 4,000 Over $29,000,000 total funding, including

the education award earned by members supporting national service in Colorado

Trends in National Service

Growth in National Service from 75,000 to 250,000 annual participants over the next 5 years

New Strategic Vision and Priorities: Service as a Solution Expanding Opportunities to Serve Building Enduring Capacity Embrace Innovation

Results for Colorado

Increase in AmeriCorps *State Funding and Programs 2007 - $2.6 m 2010 - $4.1 m FY 2011 Appropriation bills in House and Senate call for increased

support

Increase in Colorado state capacity to support the “infrastructure” and assist in capacity building

New Strategic Plan, increased emphasis on promoting volunteerism and community service

Commitment of resources

Key Findings…Colorado Needs Assessment

Colorado communities can not function without civic engagement!

Schools, faith communities, governments, and business depend on residents donating time, talent and treasure to strengthen their communities.

Communities want to identify, recruit, train, and sustain more local leadership across all sectors

Colorado AmeriCorps Programs

Service and Planning Programs Civic engagement and volunteerism Conservation, clean energy, environmental protection Serving People with Disabilities Youth Development Education Early Childhood Services Health, Health Care Access Civic Engagement by Adults age 55+

What do Communities Want?

Identify local solution-based leadership Training for non-profit directors/managers “Grow your own Leadership” – teach civic

responsibilities Improve funding to develop innovations that

demonstrate success Expand public awareness abut community service

impact

Increased Capacity

Volunteer Generation Program

Increase local leadership Increase coordination within and across sectors Establish/improve volunteer center network Increase the number of volunteers Increase the number of volunteers who provide

long term services

Build and Sustain Capacity

United Way of Larimer CountyLarimer Volunteer & Poverty

Alleviation Partnership

Poverty and self-sufficiency most pressing issues in Larimer County 12.8 poverty rate—38.8% increase from 2000

Plan to expand capacity for local nonprofits Address poverty and barriers to self-sufficiency

Advance AmeriCorps involvement in Larimer County Expand existing and develop new programs Cultivate resources

Metro VolunteersVolunteer Capacity Building

Through Training

Need for volunteer infrastructure support, training, and recruitment strategies

Advance AmeriCorps involvement Support development of Volunteer Connector

Organization and community staff Increase utilization of a centralized tech. system Replicate MV training programs to underserved

areas of the state

Metro VolunteersStrengthening the Colorado Volunteer

Center Network

CVCN comprised of 8 volunteer centers Capacity, connection, promotion, development

Plan to create a strategic plan for CVCN: Financially stable membership structure State-wide messaging and training campaign Repository for shared materials

Colorado Nonprofit Development CenterBoomers Leading Change in Health

Need in CO for access to health options BLCiH increases volunteerism and service

activities for 55+ in health care education, navigation, and capacity

Create statewide model for use of AmeriCorps members

GCCS Goals

Civic Engagement– promoting volunteerism,

community service and civic engagement

Goal #1

Statewide Volunteerism “Campaign” Support campaign to:

Increase the number of volunteers Elevate the role of volunteers in sustaining community

organizations Support recruitment, training, retention, technical assistance,

support, and recognition of volunteers and volunteerism Champion, Catalyst, Leader, Cheerleader

Build Capacity!

Goal #2

Assist in developing an expanded volunteer center infrastructure across the state. Support planning and development Assist in capacity building Strengthen the existing infrastructure Increase the number of volunteer centers Provide for long term support – dedication of

national service resources to Build Capacity

Civic Engagement:

Civic Engagement Strengthens community Improves quality of life Makes a positive

difference Renny Fagan, Colorado Nonprofit

Association, December 2009

Governor’s Commission on Community Service

Governor’s Commission on Community Service Toya Nelson [email protected]

Jenna Stock [email protected]