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A Benefit ‘In Our Backyards’

5 Nov

For the past few months, something big has been brewing inside the ioby office on 6th Avenue. ioby, which stands for “in our backyards”, operates under the belief that environmental knowledge, innovation, action, and service begin and thrive in our backyards. They were founded in 2008, with a beta site launching in May of ’09, and have since enabled over 30 environmental projects to be completed with the help of online microphilanthropy. Now in their second year of operation, they’re ready to formally introduce themselves to New York City and begin taking over the world… Okay, maybe not the world, but you get the point.

“A Benefit In Our Backyards”, ioby’s First Annual Gala at Brooklyn Brewery on November 11th, will showcase the 2010 Heroes In Our Backyards; these are eight groups and/or individuals that have completed projects funded through ioby.org that exemplify leadership in environmental innovation and community organizing. The Heroes will be put on display via a gallery created by students from Parsons The New School.

In addition to the custom gallery, ioby has gotten the backing of various corporate, food and beverage sponsorships to ensure that this event is a huge success. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect at the Gala on November 11th:

– Food provided by Whole Foods Markets will be turned into tasty comestibles by Amanda Cohen of Dirt Candy. Chef Joe from Joe Doe will also be providing some delicious snacks.

– In addition to Brooklyn Brewery donating their space for night, they are also tapping the kegs and pouring their world-famous brews all night. There will also be a custom ioby cocktail available, made possible by Tuthilltown Spirits, which is the main ingredient in your new favorite drink, the Backyard Blazer.

– Gotham Project Riesling is also providing a keg(!) of wine for you to enjoy. Yes, a keg of wine. Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?

-Fantastic raffle prizes and a silent auction of goodies from Patagonia, Kombucha Brooklyn, Green in BKLYN, Green Fitness Studio and much, much more!

There will be a limited number of tickets available to purchase at the door, but you can save some money and buy online now before they sell out! If you can’t come but would like to donate, you can do so by clicking here. As always, volunteers are also an invaluable asset to this organization, both for the event and for the projects that they fund. If you’re interested in volunteering, email volunteer@ioby.org. If you want to volunteer specifically for this event, you can also email me at info@giveandgetnyc.com.

If you have questions about ioby as an organization, about submitting a project, about donating to a project, or want to tell us about important environmental work in your neighborhood, email info@ioby.org.

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NYC Civic Corps: Looking Back and Moving Forward

7 Jun

Are you ready to take your commitment to volunteerism and service to the next level?

NYC Civic Corps, an initiative of NYC Service and the Mayor’s Office, is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 service year. Whether you’re a recent college graduate looking to break into the non-profit world, a community leader who wants to dedicate more of your time to the betterment of New York City, or if you’re just looking for a new, more meaningful career, NYC Civic Corps is ready to hear your plea. Selected Corps members will dedicate one year of service to the City, during which they will be dispatched in small teams to local non-profit organizations and City agencies with the charge of developing sustainable volunteer programs and expanding organizational capacity.

Last July, 193 inaugural members of the Civic Corps were sworn in at City Hall. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the program very well received, especially by the 57 public and nonprofit organizations that were able to benefit from the extra help. Though this first year of service has been referred to as an “experiment in social innovation”, a very flashy annual report shows that the initial results indicate that the program has already had some great successes. More than 33,500 volunteers were recruited by Civic Corps members for a variety of initiatives in several different areas, including: Economic Opportunity, Education, Environment and Clean Energy; and Health. This large influx of ready and willing volunteers contributed to the continued expansion of NYC Service into 2010.  Some of the highlights from the annual report include:

  • The Police Auxiliary saw a 183% increase in the number of applicants.
  • The Flu Flighters initiative recruited 1,381 New Yorkers to conduct outreach and awareness activities in their communities.
  • In one day, 800 volunteers planted 20,000 trees as a part of the MillionTreesNYC initiative.
  • The Financial Empowerment initiative resulted in 655 trained tax volunteers to assist full-time counselors at the City’s Financial Empowerment Centers.
  • 13,852 adult volunteers participated in education-related volunteer programs through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations as part of the Serve Our Schools initiative.

By September of 2009, this idea of a localized service movement had caught on in cities across the country, leading to the creation of Cities of Service: a bi-partisan coalition of the mayors of large and small cities from across our country who have taken an oath to work together in engaging citizens to address the great challenges of our time. Founded by 16 mayors with our own Mayor Bloomberg at the forefront, this organization is now now 95 members strong and growing.

If the numbers don’t speak volumes enough, many organizations that have benefited from Civic Corps have gone on record with their gratification. In an April 20th press release, Executive Director of New York Cares Gary Bagley said “I’m proud to announce today that because of the support we have received from NYC Service, New York Cares grew its programs by 20 percent and created 25,000 additional volunteer opportunities to meet higher demand for volunteer support as a result of the economic downturn. At a time when our capacity could have been limited, it was NYC Service’s Civic Corps that helped us rebuild our capacity and exceed our ambitious goals.”

So, are you ready to join?

In return for their service, Civic Corps members will be provided with a monthly stipend (about $1,163), health benefits, a NYC transit commuting stipend, and an end-of-service education award or post-service stipend. They’ll also receive professional development and support from NYC Service and the Office of the Mayor. To be eligible to join the NYC Civic Corps, individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a Bachelor’s degree, and they must be willing to commit to a full-time (40 hours per week) position starting in late August, 2010.

Applications are available at http://www.nyc.gov/service and are only accepted online. You must apply by June 30th, 2010.

If you are a 2009/2010 Civic Corps member and would like to share your experience, email info@giveandgetnyc.org and have your story featured on Give and Get NYC!

 


 

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Global Volunteering Fair

31 Jan

Ever wondered what it would be like to pack a bag and head abroad to volunteer for a little while? Have no idea how to start that process? Then head to Barnard College tomorrow (Feburary 1st) for the Idealist.org Global Volunteering Fair from 6-9pm. According to the website, you’ll be able to “learn more about programs and global opportunities offered by a diverse range of volunteer-sending organizations,” as well as attend informative workshops, such as “International Volunteerism 101” and “The Cost of Doing Good: Affordable Options for Volunteering Abroad.” There will be about 27 organizations present, including Global Citizens Network, Peace Corps and Visions in Action.

The 2010 fairs will also take place February 3rd in Philadelphia, February 4th in D.C., February 22 in Chicago and Feburary 25th in L.A.

You can register for free by clicking here, though it isn’t mandatory that you register beforehand. I unfortunately won’t be able to attend, so I’d love some feedback on the event!

King Day of Service

16 Jan
2010

“Life’s most urgent question is:

what are you doing for others?”

Martin Luther King, Jr

This Monday marks the 15th Annual King Day of Service; a day in which citizens are challenged to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community service that helps solve social problems. By participating in service projects that empower individuals or strengthen communities, people will work together towards a common goal of doing good,  which not only serves others, but helps to exemplify the values that Dr. King preached: we are all equal, and we can all work together to make things right for ourselves.

So this Monday, get out there and serve! Here are some organizations who are doing something extra on King Day-and some links to help you get involved:

-New York City Coalition Against Hunger will sponsor their Seventh Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Anti-Hunger “Serve-a-Thon” event which is a three-day event featuring volunteer events at New York City’s food pantries and soup kitchens. If you miss out this weekend, check out their Hunger Maps, where you can search and find food pantries and soup kitchens in your area to volunteer at year round!

– The Met Council needs volunteers to help build a greenhouse for one of their low-income senior residences. You’ll be asked to help build shelves, plant flowers and vegetables. Find contact information (and more opportunities) on the NYC Service Website.

– Children for Children, a NY organization founded by parents to foster community involvement and social responsibility in young people, is hosting two free events for kids and teens this Monday in Manhattan. Take your kids to Martin Luther King Jr. High School or PS 57  to participate in a day of service and activities from 10m-2pm. To learn more about attending the Eighth Annual Grow Involved, contact Abby Huber at 212.850.4170 or by email at abby@childrenforchildren.org; for more details click here.

-Head to the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan on the 18th. You can help JCC staff and local residents make welcome kits for hospitalized kids, prepare meals for the homeless, and participate in other community service activities in and around the building. To register, you can contact Judy Gross at 646.505.4450.

-iMentor : Become a mentor! There are kids and teens in this city who don’t have proper role models to guide them through school and show them that someone cares. With iMentor,  an NYC-focused online mentoring program, you can correspond weekly by email with your mentee and meet them in-person at events throughout the year. (January is National Mentoring Month!)

I may be missing some things, but Time Out New York is here to fill in my blanks! Check out their weekend recap for what you can do this Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Volunteer your time, donate blood, or simply attend an event where you can learn about a great man and the legacy he left behind.

Other interesting reads about the day:

Trinity Conference Center

USA Today

MLK Day of Service website

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Christmas Party with ICSF

18 Dec

Last Saturday I was able to help out at the Inner City Scholarship Fund’s Christmas Party, put together every year by the Junior Committee. From the outside, Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary School in East Harlem didn’t look too festive, but once I went inside and down to the basement, I immediately found the Christmas cheer. The basement had been transformed into a child’s wonderland, with tables covered in red and green, each one a different arts and crafts station. Towards the back of the room, I saw a big comfy chair surrounded by presents and decorations, clearly for Santa, which got me (and the kids) pretty excited.

Before the party got started, volunteers and members of the ICSF Junior Committee set up each table with a different activity: cookie and cupcake decorating, ornament making, decorations, and jewelry making. We also had to put together goodie bags for the kids (1st and 2nd graders) to take home after the party, which included coloring books, crayons, Radio City key chains, necklaces and pencils (all of which were generously donated).

As soon as the kids came in, it was every man and woman for themselves. The only thing us volunteers really had to do was have fun with the kids and help them if they had problems with any of the projects. Luckily, the projects were easy to explain and age-appropriate, so we mostly just got to have fun. The jewelry-making tables were a big hit with the girls, who made tons of cute bracelets for themselves and to give as presents. I started off at one of the ornament-making tables, where I helped some of the boys put together and paint miniature wooden sleds. I kept getting distracted by the giggles at the adjacent table, which was covered in candy. I hadn’t realized how much stuff was on the cookie decorating table: gum drops, swedish fish, sprinkles, icing, cookies, cupcakes. What kid wouldn’t want to sit at a table and do whatever they want with that stuff? I could hardly control myself and I’m 26.

After about two hours of crafts and sugar rushes, it was time to entice Santa with some carols. The Junior Committee made caroling books and everyone sang together until we heard the jingle bells: Santa and two elves made their way towards the kids, who were screaming and jumping and hugging each other. As an adult, somehow, I’ve never been in a room full of children when Santa arrives; it gave me chills (the good kind) to see how happy they were. Pure joy. Just by seeing a guy in a red suit. Ahh, to be young again.

After everyone calmed down, Santa sat in his chair and read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, which is amazing considering how many cookies those kids ate. After the story everyone lined up to take their picture with Santa and make their Christmas wishes. However, I feel I should mention that one girl chose not to take her picture with this particular Santa, because she knew he was a fake; no, she declared, she would be going to Sears to see the REAL Santa later that week. Kids…they say the darndest things…

Throughout the morning I heard more than one child say “this is the best day of my life”. I must admit-I may have had more fun than some of the kids. I love crafting. And cookies. The ICSF Junior Committee did a great job putting this together, sparing no details, and I can safely assume that everyone who showed up -young or old- left with a lot more holiday cheer than they came with. They were nice enough to share their photos from the day, taken by photographer Chris La Putt:

Photos courtesy of Chris La Putt

The Junior Committee supports ICSF students by organizing a variety of programs, including monthly trips to NYC cultural institutions, tutoring and athletics programs, annual parties and community-service initiatives. For more information about the programs and how to get involved, click here.

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