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Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation Blog

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Taking On a World of Challenges: A Story Celebrating Service

Congressman John Garamendi, a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia and representative of the 10th Congressional District in California, shares his story of service and the how it has shaped decisions he has made through his career in public service.
March 28, 2011 at 3:56 PM ET by Congressman John Garamendi

Inspired to Serve: A Story Celebrating Service

Congressman Sam Farr, a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia and representative of the 17th Congressional District of California, reflects on his Peace Corps service and the lessons he learned that have guided his public service career.
March 28, 2011 at 1:24 PM ET by Congressman Sam Farr

Veterans Helping Veterans: A Story Celebrating Service

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, explores the holistic and collaborative veterns service organization, the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.
March 25, 2011 at 7:18 PM ET by

More Than Interest: A Story Celebrating Service

Iris Dooling, Program Specialist for the Louisiana State AmeriCorps program for Habitat for Humanity and 2010 Eli J. Segal Fellow at Corporation for National Community Service, shares the skills and perspective she gained and the impact she had on communities.
March 24, 2011 at 11:07 AM ET by Iris Dooling

"All Together Now: A Celebration of Service"

Sonal Shah, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, reflects on the Points of Light Institute tribute to President George H. W. Bush and the important role service plays in achieving our national priorities.
March 22, 2011 at 7:32 PM ET by Sonal Shah

Sharing Solutions Through Service: A Story Celebrating Service

Sara R. Lopez, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and a Program Specialist in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Partnerships with Peace Corps, talks about the transformational power of her volunteer experience.
March 17, 2011 at 4:52 PM ET by Sara R. Lopez

Transformation Starts From Within: A Story Celebrating Service

Christa Gannon, Founder and Executive Director of Fresh Lifelines for Youth, reflects on her journey working with youth in the juvenile justice system in California.
March 16, 2011 at 12:55 PM ET by Christa Gannon

The View From My Shoes: A Story Celebrating Service

Donna Shalala, President of the University of Miami, reflects on her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer and the power every one of us has to create change.
March 15, 2011 at 3:04 PM ET by Donna Shalala

Healthy Markets, Healthy Communities: A Story Celebrating Service

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, talks to Wholesome Wave about the transformational work they are doing connecting low-income communities, family farmers, and fresh foods.
March 14, 2011 at 12:32 PM ET by

Understanding the Culture of Questions: A Story Celebrating Service

Robert Galloway, an English teacher with the Peace Corps in Mongolia, shares his story of service and cultural understanding.
March 10, 2011 at 6:59 PM ET by Robert Galloway

Empowering Latinos in Minnesota: A Story Celebrating Service

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, spotlights Centro Campesino, a community-based service and skills provider that empowers members to help themselves.
March 8, 2011 at 7:16 PM ET by

Growing A Future: A Story Celebrating Service

Sam Frankel, a current Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, shares his story on the importance of dedication and building relationships in service.
March 7, 2011 at 7:32 PM ET by Sam Frankel

Service-Learning with Impact Alabama

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, highlights the important community work Impact Alabama is doing through partnerships with 25 Alabama colleges and universities.
March 4, 2011 at 7:42 PM ET by

Growing Good Ideas in St. Louis

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant for the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, spotlights the creative , place-based work Sprout is doing in downtown St. Louis.
March 2, 2011 at 11:19 AM ET by

Big, Bold, and Fast: A little Peace Corps history on its 50th Anniversary

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps, Former Senator Harris Wofford, a founding architect of the Peace Corps, shares his story.
March 1, 2011 at 12:11 PM ET by Harris Wofford

Stories Celebrating Service

Sonal Shah, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, annouces a month-long celebration of service, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps and the Points of Light event honoring President George H.W. Bush’s contribution to the modern service movement.
February 28, 2011 at 4:20 PM ET by Sonal Shah

A Call to Action: Leveraging Private Sector Support for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

Organizations in the private sector are helping the Federal Government meets the goals outline in its National HIV/AIDS Strategy. These foundations and businesses are improving the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients.
February 24, 2011 at 7:53 PM ET by Melody C. Barnes

Empowering America’s Entrepreneurs: Startup America

Karen Mills, Administrator of the Small Business Administration, announces Startup America, a new Administration-wide effort to support small, high-growth firms that drive innovation and job growth.
February 1, 2011 at 9:08 PM ET by Karen Mills

Leadership 18

Sonal Shah, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, recently had a chance to sit down with members of Leadership 18 and discuss capacity building, scaling good ideas, increasing community engagement, and partnerships.
January 31, 2011 at 10:59 AM ET by Sonal Shah

Celebrating MLK Day with City Year

Jack Lew, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, reflects on his committment to service throughout his life, and discusses the importance of bettering our communities through service.
January 18, 2011 at 4:34 PM ET by Jack Lew

A Day On for Service

Sonal Shah, Director, and Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant, of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation discuss the importance of service on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
January 17, 2011 at 11:04 AM ET by Sonal Shah, Divya Kumaraiah

Challenges & Successes for AAPI Business Owners: Our Summit on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth

Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce, discusses the importance of spurring innovation in light of the recent White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Summit on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth.
January 10, 2011 at 11:15 AM ET by Secretary Gary Locke

There is Nothing Like Hope for the Holidays

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant in the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, reflects on the holiday season, and the importance of building community.
January 4, 2011 at 8:41 PM ET by

The White House Initiative on AAPIs, Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Ginger Lew, Senior Counselor to the National Economic Council, explains the White House Initiative Summit on Entrepreneurship & Small Business Growth hosted by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
January 4, 2011 at 1:22 PM ET by Ginger Lew

Blue Star Families: A Lesson in Service and Courage

Sonal Shah, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, highlights the important work Blue Star Families is doing to support our military families.
January 4, 2011 at 1:16 PM ET by Sonal Shah

My American Story: Volunteers Making an Impact

Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, shares his story and discusses the importance of service.
January 3, 2011 at 2:18 PM ET by Patrick A. Corvington

COMPETES Passage Keeps America's Leadership on Target

John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, recently blogged about the bipartisan passage of the America COMPETES Act.
January 3, 2011 at 1:27 PM ET by John P. Holdren

All Sectors, All Citizens Coming Together to Make Progress on Our Nation’s Challenges

Sonal Shah, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, celebrates the creation of the White House Council for Community Solutions.
December 15, 2010 at 4:34 PM ET by Sonal Shah

TROSA: “Each One, Teach One”

Divya Kumaraiah, Policy Assistant to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, explores TROSA, an innovative social enterpris that approaches drug rehabilitation in a unique way.
December 3, 2010 at 11:24 AM ET by

Harnessing Innovation To Amplify Mission Success

The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently blogged about the creation of its Innovation Lab, a flagship Open Government initiative. The Innovation Lab adopts ideas that foster intra- and inter-agency innovations as well as partnerships, and sees them through implementation.
December 2, 2010 at 3:58 PM ET by Jerry Williams