MLK Day of Service: Encouraging People with Disabilities as Participants in Service January 25, 2010 We will begin shortly! Please feel free to say hello to test your audio or type in the text box below.

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National Partnerships The National Service Inclusion Project partners with the following organizations to further enable all CNCS grantees to collaborate with the disability community. These disability organizations are committed to promoting national service and volunteering as a valued option for individuals with disabilities to their respective communities. Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Denver Options

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MLK Day of Service: Encouraging People with Disabilities as Participants in Service January 25, 2010 We will begin shortly! Please feel free to say hello to test your audio or type in the text box below.

Ray Riordan AmeriCorps Disability Coordinator North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service Sarah Hinzman Program Development, Training and Disability Inclusion Coordinator Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service Julie Siebert Program Development Specialist Children’s Home Association of Illinois Speakers and Programs

Inclusive Days of Service History and events Inclusion Weekly Posting: hp?page=iw

Highlight some of the exciting things programs have done to include people with disabilities in this “day on” with service Generate ideas and discussion for future service events that include people with disabilities as participants in service Goals of this Discussion

Questions to Guide our Discussion

Planning Effective and Inclusive Service Activities What? When? Who? Where? Why?

Outreach and Recruitment All you have to do is ask. Talk it up (You and Service Programs) Work with Inclusion team

Benefits of Partnerships Expands the Commission’s network. Connects national service programs directly to disability organizations. Greater understanding of one another.

Now What? Collect & Reflect Follow up with participants Continue to organize projects together

ICVS Inclusive projects Preparation –Extensive training for program managers –Revising promotion and mini grant strategy Launch –National service program partners with: –Volunteers with disabilities… –To complete a project that serves a community need

Intentions of grant program Positive volunteer experience Strengthen partnerships Increased awareness / enrollment Build capacity of organizations Sustainability

Project: Assemble homeless survival kits for Hospitality House in Waterloo, IA AmeriCorps State: Iowa Campus Compact Site: Wartburg College Partner: Inclusion Connection Volunteer count: 13 Funding: ICVS mini-grant Iowa’s inclusive projects - MLK

“I learned that everyone is capable of helping others. Anyone can help make a difference if they lend a hand.”

Project: “A Dream Remembered” Inclusive service project event AmeriCorps State: Each One Reach One Site: Johnson County (Iowa City) Partner: The ARC / Mayor’s Youth Empowerment Volunteer count: 200+ Funding: Johnson Co. Social Services Iowa’s inclusive projects - MLK

5 service project stations: –Pillow case decorating for the U of I Children’s Hospital –Hygiene kits for Shelter House –Trail mix bags for Iowa City ‘s Free Lunch Program –Cat toy making for the Iowa City Animal Shelter –MLK mural created for event site (The Spot) Plus local choirs/musicians, slam poetry, dancers and lunch

Please contact us Sarah Hinzman Iowa Commission PDAT/Inclusion Renee Sedlacek Wartburg College Service Learning Coordinator Monica Gilkison: Each One Reach One AmeriCorps Program Coordinator

AmeriCorps Plays in Peoria! Fostering Transitions AmeriCorps

Children’s Home Our mission: Giving children a childhood and future by protecting them, teaching them and healing them, and by building strong communities and loving families.

Fostering Transitions: A Unique Model Our members are Unique On-site service opportunities & community outreach –Job Coaching –Adapting service

Targeted Outreach & Recruitment Peoria’s Workforce Development Department Social Service Partners Special Services / LifeSkills Classrooms at local high schools

Inclusive Service Projects

Looking to the Future Developed new partnerships Building capacity to recruit volunteers using new methods Reducing barriers & Changing perceptions

Contact Information Julie Siebert AmeriCorps Program Director Children’s Home – Fostering Transitions (309)

Questions and Discussion

Thank You Chad Gobert Online Training Specialist E: V/TTY: