DIT Director Ken Theis Presents President's Volunteer Service Awards to Local Volunteers in Support of United We Serve Initiative

"In these tough economic times, we need more volunteers than ever," said Director Ken Theis.  Michigan's nonprofit organizations are facing increased demands for services, and volunteers of all ages can help fill this growing need.  I am pleased to participate in United We Serve and thank the President for making this call to service."

Director Theis visited the Impression 5 Science Museum to attend an ITEC Scratch Class that features a new computer programming language aimed at middle-school aged children.  Scratch, designed to foster 21^st century learning skills, allows students an opportunity to create their own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art-and share their creations on the web.  The opportunity for children to learn Scratch was created through a unique collaboration of resources by Impression 5 Science Museum, Capital Area IT Council, ITEC, and TechSmith.

During his visit, Theis recognized Kirk Riley and Chris Knapp, two Capital Area IT Council volunteers for their efforts in helping educate local area children about computers and computer-related careers. 

United We Serve kicked off on June 22 and runs through September 11, which will be marked for the first time as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  The initiative focuses on five key areas:  education, health, energy and the environment; community renewal and safety and security.  It is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities through volunteering and service.  In Michigan, the Michigan Community Service Commission - which is chaired by First Gentleman Mulhern - leads the effort. 

"This summer, I'm calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation," said President Obama. "Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing as what we're doing in Washington - and it's going to take all of us, working together."

For individuals or organizations interested in joining the United We Serve effort, the Corporation created www.serve.gov, a website that allows visitors to recruit volunteers by posting their organization's projects or get ideas for creating their own projects with friends, families, and neighbors.  For local and state volunteering opportunities and additional information on the President's Volunteer Service Award program, individuals are also encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/volunteer.  Individuals who contribute at least 100 hours of service during the summer will be eligible to receive a President's Volunteer Service Award.  Additional information on this opportunity is available through www.michigan.gov/volunteer.

BACKGROUND
The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard - measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.  To date, the President's Council has partnered with more than 28,000 Organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards to the Nation's deserving volunteers.

The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  In 2009-2010, the MCSC is granting more than $7.7 million in federal and state funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.  The MCSC is funding 19 AmeriCorps programs and 20 Learn and Serve programs.  The Governor's Service Awards, VIG, and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC.  The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of Human Services, whose mission is to assist children, families, and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable, and self-supporting.  The Corporation for National and Community Service grants federal funding that the MCSC administers to its programs.

Impression 5 Science Museum is a hands-on learning environment that challenges its visitors to experience, discover, and explore the world in which they live. Impression 5 achieves this by producing hands-on exhibits and participatory programs.

Capital Area IT Council exists to foster, promote and encourage the development of companies, jobs and people in the IT industry in Lansing.

ITEC is a nonprofit, collaborative partnership between community, business, education, and government.  Its mission is to increase technology skills of Lansing area children and adults so as to better prepare them to participate in a fast-paced, global IT-based economy.

TechSmith, founded in 1987, is the world's leading provider of screen capture and recording software for individual and professional use.