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State grant will fund Paw Paw River water trail

June 17, 2016 3:07 am Published by

State grant will fund Paw Paw River water trail – The Herald Palladium : Local News kAm%96 7F?5D 2C6 6IA64E65 E@ 36 2G2:=23=6 ~4E] ` 2?5 D9@F=5 36 6?@F89 >@?6J E@ 92G6 E96 H2E6C EC2:= A=2??65 2?5 4C62E65[ 4@>A=6E6 H:E9 D:8?286[ D2:5 zC:D |2CE:?[ 2?

£20000 boost for local groups

June 17, 2016 3:07 am Published by

TWO Forres organisations are celebrating receiving a large chunk of

Scottish Government funding, enabling them to press ahead with new volunteer-led opportunitites.

Rays Opportunities celebrating Scottish Government funding for volunteer-led projects

Ray’s Opportunities SCIO and The Newbold Trust have been awarded 10,000 each from the Volunteering Support Fund, administered by the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF).

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead is delighted that funding has been announced for a total of five organisations in Moray.

“Volunteers undertake an enormous amount of worthy work in our communities,” he said.

“I am pleased that the money from the grants is to be used to recruit, support and train volunteers from vulnerable backgrounds.

“It is particularly pleasing to note that all five Moray organisations have more or less qualified for the full amount of money available and I congratulate them for their successful bids for funding.

“I am sure the grants will be put to good use and will result in positive experiences for local volunteers.”

Forres-based charity Ray’s Opportunities supports people with physical, hidden and learning disabilities at the Community cafe at Forres House Community Centre.

Ray’s Opportunities will use the funding to provide volunteering opportunities for 15 people from disadvantaged backgrounds, mainly individuals with a physical, hidden or learning disability, who face challenges to obtaining sustainable employment.

The Community Cafe enterprise will offer the chance to increase vocational and social skills while building confidence through on-the-job training and work experience.

The 11-month programme will ensure full volunteer expenses are covered; fund publicity for the programme and volunteer recruitment; and fund a part time volunteer coordinator.

“The Community Cafe is a popular venue within the town,” said Mr Lochhead.

“I am pleased that the social enterprise has been given a financial boost to recruit and train volunteers in catering and hospitality skills.”

Director Ray McDonald is delighted to accept the funding.

“Ray’s Opportunities was awarded the Volunteer Friendly Award last year in recognition of our commitment to volunteers,” he said.

“We understand the crucial contribution that volunteers of all ages and abilities have to make this grant enables us to have a volunteer coordinator to oversee this vital side of our operation.

“The scheme will equip people who would otherwise be furthest away from the job market, with the work and life skills to gain sustainable employment or further vocational training.

“We hope the volunteering experience will also help people to live independently in the future.”

The Newbold Trust is based at wellbeing and sustainable living centre, Newbold House, on St Leonard’s Road. Newbold House offers workshops, retreats, eco-holidays, venue hire and accommodation.

The Trust will use their grant to host more residential and local volunteers, and develop new initiatives stemming from volunteers.

New volunteers will join in community outreach events such as the organisation’s first ever Permaculture Summer Festival, and harvesting and processing days. They will also receive support and mentoring from a member of staff.

Richard Lochhead MSP welcomed the news.

“I’m aware that the Trust greatly value their volunteers who undertake a range of tasks to support its sustainable aims,” he said. Last year their grant allowed us to recruit a volunteer coordinator to significantly improve and expand our volunteering programme.

“We now have more local people volunteering and have started a whole new volunteering day during the summer months.

“This year the funding will continue to support the volunteer coordinator post and further improve the learning journeys for volunteers.

“We are offering more trainings and interactive seminars to develop employment skills, confidence and awareness around sustainability and wellbeing.

“We are also reaching out to a more diverse range of potential volunteers. We particularly welcome youth, elders, anyone feeling socially isolated or suffering from stress/depression and those who are finding it hard to get back into work after a period of time off or unemployment.

“Our hope is to help local people build skills, confidence and social networks and therefore provide ongoing benefits in their lives.

“We value our volunteers very much and could not continue the educational and retreat work we do without their help.”

Catholic Charities to expand food program with United Way grant

June 17, 2016 3:07 am Published by

Two adjustments to Oneontaas Summer Food Service Program will allow the service to benefit more individuals this year, an organizer said Thursday.

Thanks to funding from United Way, adults accompanying children to the afternoon program this year will be able to partake alongside their kids, according to Christy R. This will be the third year Catholic Charities has offered the service.

aPeople from low-income families depend highly upon free school meal programs to give their children free or reduced lunch and breakfast,a Houck said. And letting adults in on the program will help even more, she said.

Catholic Charities sponsors the program, but there are many other area organizations that contribute to the effort, including the Oneonta City School District, which will offer a bookmobile once or twice a week; Fidelis Care, which will make smoothies on Fridays; and the First United Presbyterian Church in Oneonta, which coordinates volunteers to serve meals and will be doing a craft once a week.

aItas a really great partnership and such a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere,a Houck said. Department of Agricultureas online Summer Meals Site Finder, children who donat live in Oneonta can find free meals at Otego Elementary School, Charlotte Valley Central School, Wilber Park in Milford, Morris Central School, Unadilla Valley Central School, the village of Sidney, the First United Methodist Church in Walton, Walton High School, Townsend Elementary School in Walton, the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, Guilford Elementary School, Jefferson Central School, Stamford Central School, Greenlawn Elementary School in Bainbridge, Perry Browne Intermediate School in Norwich, Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich, Richfield Springs Elementary School, the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and Deposit Elementary School.

Healthy Connections Inc. receives $1.35 million in HHS grants

June 17, 2016 3:07 am Published by

Healthy Connections Inc. Department of Health and Human Services to increase access to health care.

A $1 million grant was received last month to build a 3,000-square-foot expansion at Healthy Connections’ headquarters, 136 Health Park Drive, for more exam rooms and counseling services space.

FOUNDATION SPOTLIGHT: Youth Grantmakers program

June 17, 2016 2:56 am Published by

Since its inception in 2009, The Community Foundation’s Youth Grantmakers program has offered opportunities for Inland youth to discover the possibilities of creating a stronger community through their own engagement in philanthropy.

The Youth Grantmaker program has been working toward a goal of empowering Riverside and San Bernardino county youth in addressing the issues important to them through their participation in the issuance of grants.

In ceremonies held at the Sturges Center for the Arts in San Bernardino on June 5, Grier Pavillion at Riverside City Hall on June 12 and Temple Isaiah in the Coachella Valley on June 26, the Youth Grantmaker program celebrated with the 15 non-profits selected to receive a total of $28,648.

“Because of this organization, we learn that, though we may be young, we can still have an impact on the communities we’ve come to love,” said Saachi Kudtarkar, a Youth Grantmaker who graduated from North High School and will be attending the University of California at Los Angeles.

Eleven students from five high schools comprise the Youth Grantmakers program in San Bernardino. They awarded five grants to five nonprofits in 2015-16: $2,500 to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, $2,500 to Foothill Family Shelter, $1,000 to the Hamilton Essentials Foundation, $2,000 to Project Fighting Chance and $2,000 to Youth Hope Foundation. I have learned more about my community and how important youth involvement is,” said Vivian Gutierrez, a Youth Grantmaker who graduated from San Bernardino High School and will be attending San Bernardino Valley College.

To find out more about the Youth Grantmakers Program, call The Community Foundation at 951-241-7777.

Iowa City school district fires homeless liaison

June 17, 2016 2:22 am Published by

I’ve never been afraid to ask hard questions in defense of students, which has irritated school officials,” she said.

Van Housen said she will “continue to stand up for my job and the children and families I have served proudly for so many years.”

Attorney Nathan Willems filed aA petition for a temporary injunctionA on Van Housen’s behalf in May, seekingA to prevent the district from firing her.

He said Friday that theA petition became “moot” as a result of the termination notice, but said Van Housen can opt to fileA a lawsuit for the same reasons specified in the petition.

The petition cited a portion of Iowa law that says a public employee cannot be discharged for disclosing information to a lawmaker or other public official if the employee “reasonably believesA the information evidences a violation of law or rule, mismanagement, a gross abuse of funds, anA abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.”

The petition saidA Van Housen believes the district failed to make a community room available to the public, constituting “a violation of law or rule, a gross abuse of funds or an abuse of authority.”

Pedersen has said he denies the allegation that the district failed to make the community room available, noting staff members use publicA space for district and public purposes depending on scheduling.

In the days leading up to her placement on leave, Van Housen exchanged emailsA with Grant Wood Elementary Principal Joe Divoky about using aA community room at Grant Wood for a meeting of Rose Oaks ApartmentsA residents.

At breakfast, a lesson in effects of emotional trauma

June 17, 2016 2:11 am Published by

At breakfast, a lesson in effects of emotional traumaAt breakfast, a lesson in effects of emotional trauma

United States Senator Gary Peters. Thoughts and prayers are great but they are not enough and we have to take action.”

Peters applauded Battle Creek and its many agencies for gathering to talk about the the effects of trauma and how best to ensure it doesn’t lead to violence.

“I am not aware of communities doing what you are doing here,” Peters said.

Schilling said later it’s important to understand that everyone has experiences that affect them and for an entire community it is important to understand trauma and how it can affect everyone.

“It takes people from every branch of the community and bringing them together and having discussions about how we are affected by this,” she said.

She said people suffer trauma from their everyday experiences within the community and events elsewhere.

“The problem is beyond the crisis;A it is the longer term.”

Schilling said communities have to learn how to cope with the long-term effects of trauma, not just the immediate needs following a crisis.

“Everyone wants quick fixes, but there are no quick fixes,” she said.

George Voinovich forged timely and historic partnership with the city’s business community …

June 17, 2016 2:11 am Published by

George Voinovich forged timely and historic partnership with the city’s business community: Thomas Vail (Opinion) | cleveland.com George Voinovich forged timely and historic partnership with the city’s business community: Thomas Vail (Opinion) In 1981, then-Mayor George Voinovich, left, to show his support for the new “Cleveland’s a Plum” campaign backed by Plain Dealer Publisher and Editor Thomas Vail, right, throws out the “first plum” at the Indians-Yankees’ game, May 29, 1981 The idea for this now universally renowned and widely used vehicle to help communities was born out of crisis and necessity in Cleveland in 1979 with the help of the city’s new mayor, George Voinovich. Its population was declining but remained diverse, and the community continued to enjoy the tremendous assets of cultural and philanthropic institutions, including one of the nation’s best symphony orchestras and art museums; the Cleveland Foundation — the second largest community foundation in the country, founded in 1914 and United Way, the first in the nation, started as The Community Chest in 1913.

From this core emerged the public officials, led by Voinovich, able to reach out and form a partnership with executives from the private sector, including myself, as publisher of The Plain Dealer.

4 things George Voinovich did for Cleveland

When Voinovich was elected mayor in November 1979, with The Plain Dealer’s support, he knew he needed the help of the business community.

Most notable and important was the aptly titled “Operations Improvement Task Force,” chaired, funded, and staffed by the private business community to, as then stated, “help improve the quality of life for the people of Cleveland by making local government more responsive to citizen needs.”

This unique and inspired civic revival effort operated for 27 months from December 1979 to March 1982 and reported at its conclusion that 443 of its 649 recommendations (68 percent) had been implemented and another 166 (26 percent) were in process.

This revolutionary effort saved the city and its finances and was the result of a truly admirable public-private partnership between the administration of then-Mayor Voinovich (later to become Ohio governor and a U.S. senator) and the Cleveland business community.

In this, starting with George Voinovich and the many who helped him from the private sector, Cleveland has been most fortunate in having so many here who inspire us all with their efforts to make our community a better place for everyone.

Thomas Vail was editor and publisher of The Plain Dealer from 1963 to 1991.


Here are the star companies that have succeeded in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. The companies were gathered by Civic 50, a national initiative to survey and rank S&P 500 corporations on how they engage with the communities they serve and utilize best practices in their corporate cultures.




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