Volunteer Virginia - November 2020

November 2020

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Virginia Office on Volunteerism Welcomes Kathy Spangler

The Virginia Department of Social Services is excited to announce that Kathy Spangler has been named the new Director of the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Services. She is a nationally recognized leader with more than 40 years of experience in public and nonprofit management. Kathy served as vice president of Save the Children’s U.S. Programs, including Head Start and other education efforts as well as that of domestic emergency and child protection. She also served in several executive roles for America’s Promise Alliance where she oversaw the expansion of partnerships to support education and national service initiatives. During her 20-year tenure at the National Recreation and Park Association, she successfully established initiatives in the areas of health promotion, youth sports safety, and environmental stewardship. Most recently, Kathy held a five-year post as executive director for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution.

Welcome Kathy!

How Can AmeriCorps Help Your Community?

Could AmeriCorps members help your organization have an even greater impact? AmeriCorps awards grants to public and nonprofit organizations to sponsor service programs throughout Virginia, including faith-based and community organizations, higher education institutions, and public agencies. These organizations assist in recruiting, training and placing AmeriCorps members to meet critical community needs in education, economic opportunity, veteran and military family services, health, the environment, and disaster services across Virginia. Want to learn more? Your organization is invited to attend a free informational webinar.

All About AmeriCorps - November 12, 2020, 10-11am AND November 19, 2020, 3-4pm. Register
A Guide to the AmeriCorps Application - December 3, 3-4:30pm. Register

CARES Act Funding Ends for Rent and Mortgage Relief Program

The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) is designed to support and ensure

housing stability across the Commonwealth during COVID-19. CARES Act funding for this program cannot be used after December 31, 2020. The RMRP has been vital in helping thousands of Virginians during this time. Depending on availability of funds and household need, the RMRP provides financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments for eligible households. This includes financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments past due beginning April 1, 2020 and onward. Financial assistance is a one-time payment with opportunity for renewal based on availability of funding and the household’s need for additional assistance and continued eligibility.

All for Good to Become

Points of Light Engage

All For Good will permanently move to the Points of Light website and serve as the organization’s premiere volunteer platform called Points of Light Engage. This move will include updates to the design, search and filtering features, along with many of the same basic features organizations have come to enjoy. AllForGood.org will remain available to existing users through November 30, 2020. Organizations will still be able to post volunteer opportunities on AllForGood.org until the new Engage platform is live later this month.

Organizations will NOT, however, be able to migrate their account profiles or volunteer opportunity data to the new system. On Engage you will need to set up a new account and begin posting opportunities there. Have questions? Contact Points of Light by email.

How the DIY Volunteering Trend Can Help Your Organization

COVID-19 has no doubt made it harder to recruit and retain volunteers for your organization. Individuals and groups, however, see the need in their communities and are looking for ways they can help. DIY projects may be the perfect solution to providing a way for volunteers to work in their own space on their own time and provide much-needed resources for your constituents. How does it work? Simply post the items in need and volunteers sign up to purchase/collect supplies, package, complete an activity and drop-off. The projects are also fantastic ways for groups and families to serve! Search "DIY" on your local volunteer center's website for ideas and opportunities to serve. See also below for a few great DIY kit ideas.

Virginia Launches

Office of New Americans

The newly-launched Office of New Americans (ONA), part of the Virginia Department of Social Services, has been created to promote the economic and civic success of Virginia's diverse immigrant communities. ONA is comprised of an Immigrant Services unit and Refugee Services unit (formerly known as the Office of Newcomer Services). It is responsible for the implementation of a statewide strategy to provide immigrants with comprehensive assistance related to employment, housing, healthcare, education, citizenship and other services for which they may be eligible.

The ONA Advisory Board advises Virginia's Governor on ways to improve state policies and programs to support the integration of immigrants in Virginia.

Nonprofit Toolbox

If you would like to share additional resources with us, please pass them along to us via email at [email protected].

COVIDWISE App is the best way to track COVID-19 exposure and keep our communities safe. Please continue to encourage your constituents to download this free app today!

How to Be an Antiracist Educator explains how to integrate culturally responsive and SEL practices to ensure equitable student outcomes.

Afterschool Programs Less Available to Low-income Families explores how families who have the greatest need for after-school programs during the COVID crisis have had less access.

Improving School Achievement Through Civic Life is a CivXNow documentary which provides a great example of school transformation driven by the civic investment of teachers, students, parents, and community members.

A Pandemic within a Pandemic — Intimate Partner Violence details how closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in an alarming rise in domestic violence this year.

Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector is a new annual report from the Independent Sector that conveys important information on the current health of the U.S. nonprofit sector across multiple dimensions in a single, accessible format.

Faith-Based Approaches to Addressing Substance Use presents a guide for faith-based and community leaders to help tackle the devastation from the ongoing opioid crisis.

Addictionary provides unified language relating to substance disorders.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has launched a new website with user-friendly features and a re-designed format.

Ending 2020 Well: Setting Your Nonprofit Up For Virtual Fundraising Success is a free ebook on how you can set a strong fundraising foundation that will leave you feeling confident in your virtual fundraising abilities.

Free Guide to Creating an Effective Nonprofit Social Media Campaign takes you through a step-by-step process to create a strong social media campaign for your nonprofit.

The Best Times to Post on Social Media Infographic breaks down the most effective times to post on Facebook Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

National Geographic COVID-19 Remote Learning Emergency Fund for Educators will grant $1,000–$8,000 to individual educators (or to an individual educator working in collaboration with other educators or National Geographic Explorers) to design instructional resources that help educators effectively teach in remote or hybrid learning environments.

Rural Healthcare Grant Program seeks to alleviate healthcare workforce shortages by creating sustainable employment and training programs in healthcare occupations (including behavioral and mental healthcare) serving rural populations. Deadline: Nov. 13

Fit for Life Grants award $100,000 grants annually to 3 nonprofit organizations or social enterprises that are pioneering projects to promote life-long fitness and health around the world. Deadline: Nov. 23

YSA Afterschool Grants of up to $500 are available to support youth-led service or service-learning in afterschool programs. Deadline: Dec. 4

ACR Initiative for Students and Youth seeks to utilize conflict resolution education and training to enhance the ability of youth to find their voice and increase feelings of empowerment and safety in foster care, homeless and domestic violence shelters, and youth correctional facilities. Deadline: Jan. 11