Saturday, December 16, 2006

Low Income Families in Houston to Bridge the Digital Divide thanks to Habitat for Humanity and AT&T

Houston Habitat for Humanity Connects Low-Income Residents with Vital Technology Resources
Saturday December 16, 10:00 am ET
Through Nation's Largest In-Home Technology Access Initiative, AT&T AccessAll Will Provide Computers, Internet Access, Training to 300 Houston Families

HOUSTON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Habitat for Humanity announced today that it has teamed with AT&T to bring technology resources to 300 low-income Houston families under the three-year, $100 million AT&T AccessAll signature initiative. AT&T AccessAll is the nation's largest-ever program designed to provide in-home Internet and technology access, benefiting 50,000 low-income families across the country through a unique collaboration with One Economy Corporation, Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other low-income housing providers.

To read more about the technology resources and the AT&T initiative click the link.

Friday, December 15, 2006

The White House Summit On Malaria

On December 14, 2006, The President And Mrs. Bush Will Host The First-Ever White House Summit On Malaria In Washington, D.C. The White House Summit on Malaria will bring together international experts; corporations and foundations; African civic leaders; and voluntary, faith-based and non-profit organizations. The Summit's goals are to raise awareness of malaria and to mobilize a grassroots effort to save millions of lives in Africa. One American with just $10 can help save a life in Africa. A school, a church, or a team can help save a village. Together, Americans can help protect an entire continent.

The President’s Malaria Initiative Is Saving Lives. President Bush announced the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in June 2005. A five-year, $1.2 billion program, PMI challenges the private sector to join the U.S. government in combating malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African countries. PMI's goal is to cut malaria’s mortality rate by 50 percent in these target countries, freeing these African nations and their citizens from the grip of debilitating disease.

* Through Partnerships Working In The First Three Target Countries – Angola, Tanzania And Uganda – Aid From The American People Has Already Reached About Six Million Africans. In 2007, 30 million more will receive life-saving medicines, sprays, and nets as the program expands. Other target countries include: Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal.

* PMI Has Helped Deliver Bed Nets In Zanzibar In Tanzania Where Malaria Is The Leading Cause Of Death. In early 2006, PMI and the Global Fund collaborated to distribute more than 230,000 insecticide-treated bed nets to the people of Zanzibar. Zanzibar has seen a startling decrease in its reported malaria cases and quicker recovery for those infected:
o The number of confirmed malaria cases on Pemba Island dropped 87% from January to September in 2006 to 1,570 down from 12,531 over the same period last year, according to local health reports.
o In Zanzibar, malaria was greatly reduced among children under age five after new U.S. and other assistance began, according to local health officials. The success in Zanzibar shows that malaria can be controlled in larger regions.

The White House Summit On Malaria Will:

* Announce Eight New PMI Target Countries. The President will announce eight additional countries designated as PMI target countries: Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia Madagascar, Mali and Zambia.

* Launch The Malaria Communities Program. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) will launch the Malaria Communities Program, a $30 million initiative to build independent, sustainable malaria-control projects in Africa by providing grants to African NGOs and religious groups to support their malaria-control work. These initiatives will protect children and families and will help citizens take charge of their own health.

* Create “Volunteers For Prosperity” Program For Malaria. Many groups fighting malaria depend on the generosity of skilled professionals like doctors and nurses, who volunteer their services far from home. Through the President’s Volunteers for Prosperity program, organizations involved in the President’s Malaria Initiative can receive grants for highly skilled volunteers to contribute their efforts to combating malaria in Africa.

* Designate April 25, 2007 As “Malaria Awareness Day.” The more people know about this disease, the more quickly we can defeat it. President Bush will designate April 25, 2007, as “Malaria Awareness Day.” African countries and other nations commemorate April 25 to raise global awareness of malaria, and to reaffirm their commitment to fighting this disease. The United States is proud to stand with them.

White House Summit On Malaria Themes

* The Challenge Of Malaria In Africa. One child dies in Africa every 30 seconds from malaria. At least one million infants and children under five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne disease. Older children and adults who do get malaria lose an average of six weeks at school or work from illness. This disrupts business and leaves poor families short of income, food, and medicine.

* The Power Of Public-Private Partnerships. Mobilizing private sector support is a key component in controlling malaria in Africa. When governments partner with NGOs, corporations and foundations, faith-based and service organizations and private citizens, the combined effort can save lives, educate the public about malaria, and send a global message. Public-private partnerships enable the U.S. government and its other partners to maximize their effectiveness and support a comprehensive approach to control malaria.Organizations at the summit announced commitments to dedicate additional resources to put thousands of new boots on the ground and to help defeat malaria.

* Growing The Grassroots. Powerful grassroots movements can raise awareness of malaria, and highlight ways that organizations and individuals can get involved in combating this preventable disease in Africa. With new enthusiastic efforts from Malaria No More and other organizations, America’s corporations and foundations, NGOs and non-profit organizations, individuals and America’s young people are being challenged to save lives and build a bridge between peoples.

Partnering Together To Fight Malaria

No Single Organization Or Entity Can Solve Global Health Issues Facing Africa. Groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ExxonMobil, the Global Fund, Malaria No More and Saddleback Church are rising to President Bush’s challenge and mobilizing private sector support to defeat malaria in Africa.

White House Summit On Malaria Partners Include:

* The Office of the Coordinator for the President’s Malaria Initiative at the U.S. Agency For International Development
* The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department
* Malaria No More

President Bush Recognizes Cairo Woman for Dedication to Volunteer Service

President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Holly Theis when he arrives at the airport in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Sunday, November, 5, 2006. Theis is a volunteer with Grand Island Habitat for Humanity. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer, called a USA Freedom Corps Greeter, when he travels throughout the United States. President Bush has met with more than 550 individuals around the country, like Theis, since March 2002.

Theis has been a volunteer for two years with Grand Island Habitat for Humanity. She is currently assisting with the construction on her fourth Habitat for Humanity home. Theis also serves as the Family Support Volunteer who helps the Partner Family feel welcome in their new home and neighborhood. In addition, she participates in fundraising activities, serves on the Finance Committee and is the Habitat for Humanity liaison to the Central Nebraska Home Builders Association.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

Intake Survey for Volunteer Managers

As you recruit for volunteers of all ages and abilities for your organization, you can conduct an intake survey focused on interests and experiences of volunteers to best determine if someone is a qualified individual for a service position. The Independent Sector, a non-profit organization created a survey to assist organizations in the recruitment and placement process of service members with and without disabilities. You can view this survey at http://www.independentsector.org/GandV/volunteer.htm.

The Independent Sector is the leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world. This coalition of approximately 550 organizations leads, strengthens, and mobilizes the charitable community in order to fulfill the vision of a just and inclusive society and a healthy democracy of active citizens, effective institutions, and vibrant communities.

As always, the team at the National Service Inclusion Project are here to answer any questions you might have concerning the inclusion of people with disabilities in national service. Please contact us toll-free at 1-888-491-0326 voice/TTY or email us at nsip@umb.edu.


Lucy Bayard
Training Specialist
National Service Inclusion Project
www.serviceandinclusion.org