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Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation Blog

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The BIG DIG Inspires Community Pride

In 2011, over 600 volunteers beautified 80 sites in one day and due to their efforts, Jersey City is an honoree for the Make A Difference Day city awards.
April 20, 2012 at 8:00 PM ET by Jonathan Greenblatt

Expanding Opportunity through Active Volunteering

The Department of Labor recognizes that active volunteering can help expand opportunity for unemployed individuals by enabling them to develop and maintain skills, expand their professional networks, and enhance their resumes while helping in their community.
April 20, 2012 at 7:45 PM ET by Jonathan Greenblatt

Helping Youth at Home and Abroad

Neha Gupta, a 15-year-old from Pennsylvania who built a library for underprivileged youth, is a national honoree for the Make A Difference Day awards
April 18, 2012 at 3:36 PM ET by Jonathan Greenblatt

The Benefits of Civic Engagement for Tomorrow's Leaders

Christopher Gergen discusses the positive impacts of volunteering on individuals and society as a whole.
April 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM ET by Jonathan Greenblatt

Celebrating America's Greatest Asset: Our Volunteers

Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, kicks off National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the extraordinary benefits of service to individuals, communities, and our nation.
April 16, 2012 at 1:54 PM ET by Wendy Spencer

PG&E Partners with Fresno Community to Create Summer Jobs for Youth

In support of Summer Jobs+, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) will partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County to provide summer employment opportunities for underserved youth from Central Fresno.
April 4, 2012 at 4:00 PM ET by Marta Urquilla

Gulf War Veteran Serves Again Through AmeriCorps

After serving during the Gulf War, working as an AmeriCorps member offerd Todd Schnittke the unique opportunity to serve others in his community—especially active duty personnel and veterans—while earning the money he needed to attend college.
March 16, 2012 at 7:04 PM ET by Todd Schnittke

Taking the Path from Prison to Service with AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps provided the support Ely Flores needed to lead a life of success and integrity after spending four years in and out of prison.
March 15, 2012 at 6:53 PM ET by Ely Flores

AmeriCorps: Developing the Next Generation of Public Servants

For Bizunesh Scott, Special Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel, the AmeriCorps program offered hope in a time of economic and personal struggle and prepared her for leadership through a full-time nonprofit apprenticeship and rigorous leadership training.
March 14, 2012 at 4:17 PM ET by Bizunesh Scott

AmeriCorps Alum Focuses on Helping Parents

Rhonda Ulmer, an AmeriCorps alum, created University for Parents to provide parents with the family education and mentoring needed to improve student success.
March 13, 2012 at 7:02 PM ET by Rhonda Ulmer

Commemorating AmeriCorps Week: Expanding Opportunity Through Service

Since its founding, more than 706,000 men and women have joined AmeriCorps and pledged to “get things done for America.” The selfless and caring citizens that join AmeriCorps confirm the adage that tomorrow can be better than today if we each extend a helping hand to our neighbors.
March 12, 2012 at 5:02 PM ET by Jonathan Greenblatt

The President’s Budget and Charitable Contributions: Driving Revenue and Demonstrating Fairness to Benefit America

The President's budget calls for fundamental tax reforms that recognizes the importance of tax incentives for charity.
February 16, 2012 at 4:40 PM ET by Jonathan Greenblatt

A Look Back at Joplin: United We Succeed

Eight months after one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history touched down in Joplin, Missouri, the Obama Administration remains committed to supporting the town's long-term recovery.
February 1, 2012 at 1:05 PM ET by Cecilia Muñoz

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Service

Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, reminds us that the best way to live up Dr. Martin Luther King's definition of greatness is by serving.
January 16, 2012 at 3:40 PM ET by Cecilia Muñoz

Champions of Change: Making a Difference through Service and Innovation

Marta Urquilla, Senior Policy Advisor to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, reflects on this week's Champions of Change and the extraordinary impact they are having in communities, in schools, and in the workplace.
June 16, 2011 at 2:01 PM ET by Marta Urquilla

Volunteers Prove Essential to Disaster Response

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, shares inspiring stories from CNCS' disaster recovery efforts in Mississippi.
May 4, 2011 at 2:32 PM ET by

Spotlight on Community Colleges Vying for Prize

Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary Arne Duncan congratulated 120 community colleges that – due to exceptional student outcomes – were selected by the Aspen Institute to compete for the inaugural $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
April 26, 2011 at 8:28 PM ET by Sonal Shah

Growing Green Neighborhoods Through Youth Engagement

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, shares the story of an innovative community organization in Sommerville, MA that is greening the community by education and engaging youth.
April 26, 2011 at 12:41 PM ET by

Resilient and Sustainable Economies in the Gulf Coast

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, blogs about an exciting partnership in the Gulf Coast that brings together local communities, federal agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to rebuild neighborhoods to be more environmentally and economically sustainable.
April 22, 2011 at 6:37 PM ET by

Honoring Eli J. Segal – A True Entrepreneur

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, reflects on the life and work of Eli J. Segal in celebrating the two year anniversary of the Serve America Act.
April 21, 2011 at 4:15 PM ET by

Growing Strong Communities in Detroit

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, shares the inspring story of one man committed to changing his Detroit neighborhood.
April 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM ET by

Partnerships and Innovation in Colorado

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, blogs about the Jeffco Public Schools solar project that will help meet state renewable energy goals and save taxpayer dollars.
April 11, 2011 at 7:26 PM ET by

Reflections on Service

Sonal Shah, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, offers reflections for National Volunteer Week.
April 8, 2011 at 4:47 PM ET by Sonal Shah

You Give A Lot, You Get A Lot: A Story Celebrating Service

Congressman Tom Petri, who served in the Peace Corps in Somalia and currently represents the 6th Congressional District of Wisconsin, shares his story of the lessons he learned while serving in the Peace Corps.
April 8, 2011 at 11:39 AM ET by Congressman Tom Petri

Kicking off Champions of Change

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, blogs about the new White House series, “Champions of Change: Winning the Future Across America.”
April 5, 2011 at 6:59 PM ET by

Commemorating 50 Years of Peace and Friendship Through Service

Aaron S. Williams, Director of the Peace Corps and former Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic, reflects on the importance of community service and the impact Peace Corps has had in communities around the world.
April 1, 2011 at 8:03 PM ET by Aaron S. Williams

Lessons learned: A Story Celebrating Service

Congressman Mike Honda, who served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador and currently represents the 15th Congressional District of California, shares the lessons he learned from his time in the Peace Corps.
March 31, 2011 at 6:09 PM ET by Congressman Mike Honda

Cesar Chavez - A Role Model for Service

Christina Markle, former part-time AmeriCorps Bonner Leader and a current John Gardner fellow from UC Berkeley at the Corporation for National and Community Service, talks about the inspirational life of Cesar Chavez and the legacy of service he left behind.
March 30, 2011 at 5:59 PM ET by Christina Markle

Closing The Loop: A Story Celebrating Service

Jon Carson, former Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, illustrates the power of service and the importance of working with, not for, a community.
March 29, 2011 at 3:07 PM ET by Jon Carson

Peace Corps Reflects the Diversity of America: A Story Celebrating Service

C.D. Glin, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Partnerships with Peace Corps, explains his experience as one of the first Peace Corps Volunteers in South Africa.
March 29, 2011 at 2:53 PM ET by C.D. Glin