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The Mayor’s Office and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) will partner to cast a national spotlight on Vicksburg’s push for service on, January 18th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
“The City of Vicksburg is delighted to partner with NCCC in this service initiative. This is a great opportunity for our community to place ‘SERVIVE ABOVE SELF” said Mayor Winfield. “I want to see our citizens, working along side me on MLK day. It is my sincere hope that this movement continues to expand.”
Mayor Winfield recently accepted a challenge posed to him by NCCC Team Leader Geoff Hill, 24 of Riverside, CA, to dedicate himself to service in community. Mayor Winfield extended the challenge to the Board of Aldermen, city employees, businesses, youth, nonprofits, churches and residents of Vicksburg.
As one of the 18 founders of the Cities of Service initiative, the City of Vicksburg is in the national spotlight as a leader in the service movement.
In 1994, Congress passed legislation encouraging Americans to observe the King Holiday as a national day of service that brings people together from different backgrounds to improve the quality of life for all people.. The King Day of Service provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.
MLK DAY COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT AT THE INITIATIVE, INC.
What: Painting, removing of carpet and vinyl tile, minor home repairs, trash and debris clean-up, planting flowers and shrubs, disaster response painting of home addresses, preparation of community garden beds that residents maintain.
When: Monday, January 18, 2010, 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (8:30a.m. kickoff, 9a.m.service, 12p.m. rally)
Where: Initiatives, Inc. at 1306 Hope St. behind the Vicksburg Warren School Board office.
Volunteers are urged to contact: Erika Roberts, 601.630.4048 or Sonya Burks, 601.630.4045 at NCCC or Marie Thompson, 601.631.3718 at City Hall. Other locations of service are also being planned. Call for details.
Initiatives, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides temporary affordable housing in a neighborhood environment for families with children who are working toward self-sufficiency. The average stay of a family is two (2) years. Families are assisted through case management, family case management; educational opportunities; on-site licensed child care services for both pre-school and after school care; and life skills training on family and community life.
AmeriCorps NCCC is a 10-month full-time, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18-24 who serve in a region’s local communities by meeting needs in the areas of: disaster preparation, response and recovery; environmental conservation; public safety; urban and rural development; and, education. Members respond to disasters, construct homes, develop trails in state and national parks, mentor youth, oversee emergency shelters, organize donations of food, clothing and other materials, lead volunteers and meet other needs identified by communities. Members receive CPR and First Aid training, room and board, valuable work experience and an education award of $5350 that can be used to pay tuition or student loans.
For more information on service, visit www.Serve.gov/MLKDay or http://www.mlkday.gov/
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