Opportunities to Connect!

Hello again! My name is Matt Reaume and I am an AmeriCorps*VISTA serving with the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC). What a whirlwind week! This last Wednesday, March 17^th found MCSC and Corporation for National and Community Service staff manning an information booth on National Service and volunteering at the Bon Jovi concert held at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The effort was a product of a partnership between Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Foundation and United We Serve. It was a great opportunity to reach out to concert goers and provide them with information on how they can find local opportunities to volunteer and serve their communities.

In addition to rocking out, I am also happy to report some exciting news coming out of the Cross-Stream initiative as we approach the 2010 AmeriCorps Week!

Over the course of the last several months much progress has been made on developing an online, searchable database comprised of every National Service program located in Michigan. This convenient resource will allow those interested in connecting with other organizations to better locate local programs with similar focus areas to partner with. This tool will be available within the coming months.

In addition to the database, another important component of the Cross-Stream initiative will be the delivery of an electronic newsletter which will, among other things, share examples of Cross-Stream collaboration opportunities and successful collaboration efforts.

And speaking of collaborative opportunities, AmeriCorps Week is fast approaching! The MCSC will be hosting two webinars which will provide an overview of AmeriCorps Week resources, project planning tips, how to engage the media, and a chance to share your project plans and ideas with others. These webinars will take place on Tuesday April 13^th at 10:00 a.m. and Friday April 16^th at 10:00 a. m. as well. To register for the April 13^th date, click here – to register for the April 16^th date, click here.

If your program is interested in collaborating with another stream of national service for an AmeriCorps Week service project or outreach event, we would love to hear your story to be included in the upcoming Cross-Stream newsletter! Feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas that you may have at reaumem@michigan.gov.