AMERICORPS SERVING SUNCOAST SENIORS
Issue 6
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AmeriCorps Serving Suncoast Seniors Newsletter
AmeriCorps members with Volunteer Florida’s CEO Chester Spellman
April 2013
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK April 21-27, 2013
The AmeriCorps Pledge I will get things done for America to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action.
National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership. The week draws the support and endorsement of the president and Congress, governors, mayors and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups across the country. Through programs such as the President's Volunteer Service Award, Daily Point of Light Award, and the Extra Mile – Points of Light Volunteer Pathway, we recognize individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government entities and the tremendous impact they are making on our country's most critical challenges yearround. [Type text]
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.
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AmeriCorps and RSVP Honored at Venice City Hall
Every day, in cities across America, national service is solving tough problems and strengthening communities. Whether supporting food banks and homeless shelters, restoring city parks, building homes, managing community volunteers, providing health services, or tutoring and mentoring students, national service members help mayors tackle tough problems. To spotlight the impact of national service and thank those who serve, mayors across the country participated in the first-ever Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service on April 9, 2013. On this day, mayors held public events and used traditional and social media to highlight the value and impact of national service to the nation’s cities. At the Venice City Hall, Mayor John Holic presented proclamation to members and staff of AmeriCorps Serving Suncoast Seniors and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), two national service programs sponsored by Senior Friendship Centers. AmeriCorps Program Director Jenna DeLorey made a statement spotlighting the impact of the three AmeriCorps members serving in Venice. In the last two quarters, Donna Tortora, Linda Shane, and Jane Van Emburgh served 500 seniors, assisted 81 caregivers, and recruited 59 volunteers who served 1,576 hours at Senior Friendship Centers. Why a Day of Recognition? As solution-focused local elected officials, mayors understand the key role citizens play in meeting community needs. A coordinated day of recognition presents a unique opportunity to highlight the key role that national service plays in solving pressing problems. This initiative was led by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS); Cities of Service; and other organizations. As the federal agency for service and volunteering, CNCS annually engages more than four million citizens in service at 70,000 sites across the country. CNCS leverages federal and private funds to support organizations like Senior Friendship Centers that achieve measurable results where the need is greatest. To learn more about the AmeriCorps and RSVP programs at Senior Friendship Centers, please contact Jenna DeLorey at 941-556-3208 and Cathaleen at 941-556-3274, respectively. Pictured (left to right): Donna Tortora and Linda Shane, AmeriCorps members; Cathaleen Kaiyoorawongs, RSVP Program Director; Jenna DeLorey, AmeriCorps Serving Suncoast Seniors Program Director
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AmeriCorps Member Spotlight: Barbara Brancatelli
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Please share this invitation with friends, relatives, or anyone who might want to do a year of service with AmeriCorps at Senior Friendship Centers in southwest Florida.
You are cordially invited to…. WHAT: An AmeriCorps Serving Suncoast Seniors Info Session (for people interested in doing a year of service at Senior Friendship Centers) I came to AmeriCorps by accident. The accident happened when I visited Senior Friendship Center's Health Services Center. My now supervisor knew me from my volunteering days there and told me of an opportunity through AmeriCorps to serve with others of like mind. I applied and got accepted into the program!.... Seniors come to us from all walks of life and financial circumstances. I assist them in applying for clinic eligibility. I help them fill out paperwork to request medication assistance when they can’t afford their prescriptions….Aside from raising three children, this has been the most rewarding experience of my life.
WHEN: Mon., April 29th, 2013, 1-4pm (other dates TBD) WHERE: Senior Friendship Centers (Beveridge Room), 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236 (if you have any trouble locating us, please call 941-586-0881 or 941-955-2122) RSVP TO: jdelorey@friendshipcenters.org This will be an opportunity for us to get to know you—and for you to get to know the AmeriCorps Serving Suncoast Seniors program. You’ll get a tour and an overview of Senior Friendship Centers and the AmeriCorps program. (This can also double as one in a series of interviews that will be conducted for positions that will begin in Sarasota and Punta Gorda on August 1, 2013.)
Thank you Cara Levitt & AmeriCorps artists! Thank you to Cara Levitt (pictured: front row, 2nd from the left), Art Therapist and Owner of Draw It Out Art Therapy, for bringing collaborative art activities to AmeriCorps Serving Suncoast Seniors on 4/3/13. We’re a more close-knit team after making art together—and many of us now have beautiful paintings displayed in our offices! You can thank Cara for her support by scheduling a private session or attending one of her painting parties. She can be reached at #941-957-8130 and caralevitt@gmail.com.
Thank you to our Amazing All-star AmeriCorps Office Volunteers! Kristiana Parham Vanessa Reynoso Maggie O’Rourke Josue Delgado Odhet Ortega
caralevitt@gmail.com.
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Donate Supplies for Emergency Kits for Seniors! Hurricane Season begins June 1st. Be prepared by placing some of the following essential items in a container such as a 5-gallon plastic bucket with a lid. A bucket is recommended because it’s sturdy and, in a pinch, you could use it as a seat/stool or line it with a plastic bag and use it as a portable toilet in the event that you need to evacuate your home and stay in a shelter. The next time you go shopping, plan to pick up some of the items below. In addition to working on your own “bucket list”, consider donating supplies to AmeriCorps to put together “disaster buckets” for seniors. To donate buckets or supplies, please drop them off with reception at Senior Friendship Centers well-marked as “Disaster Supplies, ATTN: Jenna DeLorey”. For more info, contact jdelorey@friendshipcenters.org or 941-556-3208. Thank you! Items for your Grab-n-Go Bucket: Flashlight & radio w/ extra batteries Extra water and nonperishable food (food &water for your pet, too) Small first aid kit Extra supply of medication Moist hand wipe & cleaners Toothbrush, tooth paste, soap, deodorant, hair brush , tissues, & towel Toilet paper Special family needs (diapers, feminine hygiene items, etc.) Emergency poncho &blanket A local map Important family documents in a zip-lock plastic bag, including driver’s license, bank & insurance information, out-of-area contact, paper & permanent marker Photo of family members & pet for re-unification Set of keys to your home & car Whistle Large plastic trash bag Multipurpose pocket knife Games & toys Change of clothes
Additional supplies for a 7-day emergency kit: Water (one gallon per person per day, stored in sturdy plastic containers such as soda-pop bottles, not milk cartons) Extra clothes, sturdy shoes, & rain gear for each family member Non perishable food (for pets, too) Manual can opener & eating utensils First aid kit with handbook Hand sanitizers & wipes Toilet paper Backup supply of special equipment (hearing-aid batteries or oxygen tanks) Bleach to purify water (8 drops/2 liter bottle) Blankets &/or sleeping bag Plastic sheeting & duct tape to cover broken windows Tools: wrenches, crowbar, bungee cords, rope & heavy duty work gloves Large plastic trash bags Leash, crate, other pet supplies
Nice to have: Tents & /or traps Cooking stove & fuel (do not use to cook inside) Portable heater (do not use inside) Generator (know how to use it) Emergency supplies can be stored in containers such as: Plastic garbage can on wheels Backpack/tote And kept in a convenient location: A shed or in back yard A closet near an outside door For your car: Extra clothes, sturdy shoes, & warm hats & gloves Extra food & water Auto emergency equipment ( jumper cables, flashlight, flares, “HELP” signs) Shovels & kitty litter or sand *Keep your tank at least full at all times!
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Join AmeriCorps!
You can apply to be an AmeriCorps member! AmeriCorps at Senior Friendship Centers is currently interviewing for positions that start August 1, 2013 and end July 31, 2014. As an AmeriCorps member, you’ll gain new skills and experiences—and you’ll find the tremendous satisfaction that comes from helping others. If you’re a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or permanent legal resident aged 18-99 with personal transportation who can commit to serving 36 hours per week for a year, AmeriCorps could be a great opportunity for you! In addition to receiving health insurance and a modest living stipend ($238/week), you’ll receive a $5,500 Education Award upon successful completion of the program. The award can be used to pay for college courses, repay school loans, or—if you’re at least 55 at the time you begin service—you may gift the award to a child or grandchild.
How to apply: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Visit AmeriCorps.gov Under “Join Now” in the top right, search for “Elder Care” in “Florida” in the drop down boxes, then select “Serving Suncoast Seniors” Create a profile Click on “Search Listings” in the left hand panel Select “AmeriCorps State and National” as the type of program Select “Florida” as the program location Click on “Serving Suncoast Seniors” as the program you’re applying to Click “Apply Now” Fill out the page and click “submit” Contact the Program Director at jdelorey@friendshipcenters.org to confirm that your application was received
Tip: many people fail to submit their application directly to the AmeriCorps Serving Suncoast Seniors program (steps 4-10). Your application is not viewable to us—and you cannot be selected—until you complete all of the steps listed above. For assistance completing your online application, please call 1-800-942-2677.
AmeriCorps Resources: Serving Suncoast Seniors Program Director: Jenna DeLorey, jdelorey@friendshipcenters.org, 941-556-3208 www.facebook.com/AmeriCorpsServingSuncoastSeniors www.AmeriCorps.gov AmeriCorps Hotline: 1-800-942-2677
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AMERICORPS SERVING SUNCOAST SENIORS
1888 Brother Geenen Way Sarasota, Florida
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