Downtown Revitalization Volunteer Opportunity

The United Way of Southern Nevada, in partnership with the City of Las Vegas, is organizing a Downtown Clean-Up on Saturday, June 8th and we need your help!  We will be kicking off the event at the Historic 5th Street School at 8:30am.  Join us for a morning of painting curbs and hydrants, picking up trash, pulling weeds, painting murals, picking up litter, and other activities!

This is a great opportunity for families and groups to come together, volunteer, and show their community pride!

Check out the Event Flyer!

Want more information? Contact Riley Foley at rileyf@uwsn.org.  You can sign up for the opportunity on the Volunteer Center website.

Four New AmeriCorps VISTA Opportunities in Southern Nevada!

Four exciting AmeriCorps VISTA opportunities have just opened in sunny Southern Nevada!  Learn about how you can give back to the community through a year of service by reading the summaries below or clicking on the link.  Have questions or want more information? Contact Jacob Murdock at 702-892-2321 or jacobm@uwsn.org.

 

Children’s Advocacy Alliance

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=48682

Early Childhood Education has been determined to be a key factor in the level of educational attainment of Nevada’s youth. Because of this, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded a grant to organizations in Nevada who will be creating a collaborative to work to improve early childhood education to all children in Nevada, specifically those who live in poverty. The Children’s Advocacy Alliance is the organization who has been tasked with spearheading the movement to improve early childhood education in the state. The VISTA Member will work with CAA staff members to
coordinate the Early Childhood Education Workgroup. In this role, the Member will develop infrastructure and key relationships that will benefit the CAA in years to come. The Member will work towards the CAA mission by creating a structure to highlight Early Childhood Education issues and provide outreach on behalf of providers that enhance the wellbeing of children & families in need.

United Way of Southern Nevada Access to Healthcare

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=48843

Clark County Nevada has one of the lowest percentages of childhood immunizations ages birth to 3 years old. Clark County Nevada also scores very low in overall health for children. The work of the VISTA member will address this be a targeted approach by engaging community members, school based health clinics and health organizations. Additionally, the VISTA Member will develop a data collection mechanism for our partner agencies and will compare those numbers to the State reported numbers in order to assess the effects of the outreach. The Member will also report these numbers and use the information to research funding opportunities that will result in better access to health care for Southern Nevadans. The VISTA Member will work with United Way of Southern Nevada staff, partner agencies and schools to make health care more readily available to those who are in need.

 

Clark County School District Community School – Partnership Office

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=46141

The VISTA member will outreach to new & existing partners in the community to identify opportunities for youth to volunteer as well as to identify opportunities for community members to volunteer in activities which promote education and student success. The VISTA will develop key talking points & guidelines for conversations, coordinate trainings, place volunteers in school settings as well as develop & maintain a database of volunteer opportunities and completed activities. The VISTA will develop systems to ensure the sustainability of service initiatives beyond the VISTA program. In addition, the VISTA will maintain & enhance a social media campaign to bring community-wide awareness to education themed volunteer opportunities. The VISTA will develop volunteer opportunities that enable community members to become involved in school programs that promote economic development in southern Nevada. Volunteers will be trained and placed in school settings that will prove them with successful & engaging experiences and ones that will also enrich the lives of students. The VISTA will help enable more caring adults to be involved in and positively influence student lives with the goal of helping youth achieve success in school as well as graduate from high school.

HopeLink of Southern Nevada

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=48843

The lack of financial stability among individuals is a significant factor that leads individuals and families to poverty. There is a need in the community to provide a holistic set of resources that can help empower community members with the skills and knowledge to become financially stable. HopeLink is developing a system of Integrated Service Delivery (ISD) in the creation of their Financial Stability Center. The VISTA member would work with staff from HopeLink to assist in the development and implementation of the Financial Stability Center. The VISTA member would research similar resources and best practices, develop partnerships with local agencies to integrate services where gaps currently exist and develop evaluation mechanisms based upon the established goals. Additionally, the VISTA member would be involved in other aspects of HopeLink’s current financial stability programming. The VISTA member would help HopeLink of Southern Nevada empower community members and break the poverty cycle by promoting financial education. The capacity building that the VISTA member will provide will help meet this need in southern Nevada.

AmeriCorps VISTAs in Southern Nevada will receive a modest living allowance of $1078 each month (before taxes). After the successful completion of a term, VISTAs may be eligible to receive a $5,550 education award.  If you have questions about these opportunities, contact Jacob Murdock at 702-892-2321 or jacobm@uwsn.org. 

Magical Forest Elves

Nothing says “Happy Holidays!” in Las Vegas like the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village!  United Way of Southern Nevada staff members volunteered at the forest’s daytime program, Cheyenne’s Magical Bus Tour, for low-income students last month, and had a blast!

The good news is that there is still plenty of time for you to help spread the joy of the season as a Magical Forest Elf!  Opportunity Village needs volunteers to help run forest from Dec. 25th- Jan. 6th.  Volunteers help keep kids and their families safe and help everyone enjoy the amusement rides, Santa’s gift cabin, and of course, the Magical Forest!

Grab some family members and friends and sign up to volunteer this holiday season!  Click here to see available dates and sign up.  Please note that volunteers must be 18 years or older.

UWSN Staff with Santa at Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest

UWSN Volunteers ready to help!

UWSN Volunteers were excited to help spread the holiday spirit to low-income students at the Magical Forest.

United Way of Southern Nevada’s BE THE CHANGE Opportunity of the Week!

Helping Ranch Hands (Saturday 12/27)

Be a gem for the Diamonds in the Rough Program at the White Horse Youth Ranch! Volunteers are needed to support the growth and confidence of underprivileged youth as they learn the techniques of horsemanship training.  You’ll help around the ranch by setting up and participating in pre-riding teambuilding activities, checking in kids and parents, and ensuring the property is clean and tidy.

 

Trendy Thrifters (Weekdays)

Volunteers are needed to help out in the NextStep thrift store. Volunteers will sort donations, and organize the store. This is a perfect opportunity for a family or a group to give back together.

United Way of Southern Nevada’s BE THE CHANGE Opportunity of the Week!

Cheyenne’s Magical School Bus Tour Guides (T/W/Th throughout December)

Help give first and second graders from Clark County School District’s at-risk schools the chance to revel in the spirit of the holidays and take part in a disability awareness and anti-bullying program through Cheyenne’s Magical School Bus Tours at Opportunity Village’s Magical Forrest.
Volunteers will help with amusement rides, a mini golf course, food and beverage booths, visits with Santa, holiday entertainment, Santa’s gift cabin, and much more!

Suite Holidays with Junior Achievement (December 15th)

Volunteers will help guide guests to the secret locations of ultra exclusive high-roller suites at six luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.  As an added bonus, volunteers will get to tour the suite where they are stationed.

United Way of Southern Nevada’s BE THE CHANGE Opportunity of the Week!

Project Homeless Connect (December 6th)

Project Homeless Connect is a collaborative effort connecting homeless families and individuals to services they need to get off the streets and into housing and jobs. Volunteers are needed to help individuals navigate the event.

Stocking Stuffer (December 8th)

Join Olive Crest to stuff stockings and wrap donated gifts for their youth clients this holiday season.  You’ll have a ball and your efforts will help ensure these deserving youth enjoy the magic of this holiday season.

United Way of Southern Nevada’s BE THE CHANGE Opportunity of the Week!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Time (Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth)

NPHY’s PB&J Thursday is a simple project that prepares sack lunches for our Outreach Team to distribute to homeless youth during our weekly Feel Good Friday event. Volunteers will make the sandwiches, then pack them with snacks into the sack lunches.

Caring Collectors (Salvation Army) (Weekends through the holidays)

This interactive outreach opportunity will help the Salvation Army collect food goods at Albertson’s on Flamingo and Hualapai! Donations will be assembled into Christmas baskets that will be distributed to needy families around Clark County.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a Match!

Are you an organization looking for volunteers this holiday season?  Let the United Way of Southern Nevada Volunteer Center help you find your match!

Inquiries for holiday volunteer opportunities are pouring in to Volunteer Center and we want to connect businesses, community groups, and individuals with your organization’s holiday needs. Volunteers are looking for donation drives, ongoing projects, and one-time events.  Let’s LIVE UNITED this holiday season to help serve our community!

Download and submit an Opportunity Form to let us know what your volunteer needs are this holiday season: UWSNVol.Volunteer_Opportunities_Form

Volunteers– check out the Opportunity Calendar on the UWSN Volunteer Center website for updated volunteer opportunities!

Make a Difference Day

Transplants and tourists alike quickly find out what all Southern Nevadans already know: We are a 24 hour town. Gas stations, casinos, supermarkets, and more are all open around the clock to serve the needs of our diverse community. On October 27^th, 2012, United Way of Southern Nevada’s Volunteer Center and their partners are celebrating Make a Difference Day by embracing the non-stop energy of Southern Nevada with “Service 24,” an around-the-clock series of volunteer projects designed to engage all Southern Nevadans from all walks of life.  Make a Difference Day is the largest national day of community service, in which millions of volunteers around the country unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others.

We are excited to partner with Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, The Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Spread the Word Nevada, White Horse Youth (WHY) Ranch, Toys 4 Smiles, Next Step Ministries, Get Outdoors Nevada, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Clean The World, Foreclosed Upon Pets, The Lili Claire Foundation, and many more organizations serving Southern Nevada.

Find a project and sign up!  Projects in our community can be found on the Opportunity Calendar on the UWSN’s Volunteer Center website. 

Corporate Partners Make a Difference

Las Vegas plays host to hundreds of conferences every year among the glitz and glam of the strip.  Amidst the meetings, sessions, and networking, some companies have made it a priority to expand their conferences to make a positive impact in the community outside Las Vegas Boulevard.  This last week, United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) had the opportunity to work with two businesses that are making community service a priority.

Propak Cleans the World and Spreads the Word

Last Thursday, UWSN teamed up with Propak to work at two nonprofits making a big impact in Las Vegas and beyond: Clean the World and Spread the Word Nevada. 

At Clean the World, a team of 30 worked to separate pallets of discarded hotel toiletries in order to assemble hygiene kits that are distributed domestically and internationally to reduce waste and prevent hygiene-related illnesses.  The team worked up a sweat, separating eight enormous pallets of supplies!

The second group of Propak volunteers did some heavy lifting at Spread the Word Nevada.  Two pallets of books were sorted and counted.  They also cleaned and repaired books that will make their way into the hands of low-income children.  Some lucky volunteers also helped out in the preparation for Spread the Word’s upcoming fundraising gala.

Both groups made a huge impact in their afternoon of service and we were incredibly impressed with their teamwork and efficiency!

Advent Software Serves Students

 This Monday, UWSN headed down to the Bellagio, where Advent Software was holding their annual conference.  As a part of their exhibit hall, Advent incorporated a space for service.  Advent employees were lined up and ready to volunteer!  Hundreds of volunteers stepped up to assemble 2,000 dental hygiene kits.  Four local elementary schools serving a large population of low-income students were presented with 500 kits to distribute to their students.

The dedication of the Advent employees was clear and we know the impact of the dental hygiene kits will be felt long after they return to their offices around the world! 

UWSN would like to recognize the Propak and Advent employees who served this week and call out for other companies to think about incorporating service into their conferences.  As Advent and Propak found, there is time to work and enjoy this great city while giving back to the people who call it home.

You can find more information about how your business can partner with UWSN to get involved in the community on the UWSN Volunteer Center website.  Check out individual volunteer opportunities on the website, too!