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As we continue to spread the word about the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI), we want to thank the diverse group of individuals and organizations who made this work possible, including AmeriCorps and Points of Light! During the process of building the VCEI, we recruited a Core Team of partners representing 38 diverse public, private, and nonprofit organizations across Virginia to help us identify what the VCEI needed to be. The central questions we set out to uncover were, “Who are Virginia’s community volunteers and civically engaged residents? What do they care about? Where and how are they engaging? And why?” Together, we developed a study that could help us better understand the degree to which service, volunteerism, and civic engagement is a strength in our communities, and how to continue to build and leverage that strength. Read the full VCEI findings at https://buff.ly/3ZDkkL1 #ServeVirginia #VirginiaVolunteers #VolunteerVA #GivebackVA #VACommunity #VolunteerinVA

At AMG, we believe that a thriving community is built on the active involvement of its residents. Here's why you should consider getting more engaged in your community: Foster a Stronger Community Bond: Getting involved in community activities and meetings helps build connections with your neighbors. Have a Say in Your Community's Future: Your input matters! Joining community meetings and committees allows you to voice your opinions and contribute to decisions that impact the neighborhood's development and well-being. Enhance Property Values: A well-maintained and engaged community often translates into increased property values. By actively participating in community initiatives, you play a crucial role in maintaining and improving the overall appeal of our neighborhood. Stay Informed: Being involved keeps you in the loop about important updates, events, and changes within the community. Make a Positive Impact: Volunteering and contributing to community projects allow you to make a positive impact on the lives of your neighbors. Small efforts collectively create a big difference! Ready to make a difference? Here's how you can get involved: Attend community meetings Join a committee Volunteer for community events Share your skills and ideas Get started helping your community in 2024 by getting involved in your community association. #HOA #HOAManagement #CommunityManagement

Did you know that Black people in England & Wales are THREE times more likely to live in social housing (Census 2021)? Black South West Network's 2020 Housing research also identifies that Black and Minority households also experience difficulties in getting issues surrounding housing conditions addressed due to numerous factors such as language barriers, racial prejudice, and economic barriers. As part of our practical community work, BSWN paired up with Bristol City Council and numerous other Bristol-based charities to provide Black and Minoritised communities direct access to City Council housing officers. In providing culturally-sensitive, safe spaces for these issues to be addressed, we hope to help alleviate the ongoing housing disparities experienced by racialised folk. We've already had two sessions this year (Barton Hill and Fishponds), providing assistance to well over 20 social housing tenants in matters like HomeChoice, Repairs & Maintenance, and ASB! We have two upcoming sessions: in August (Southmead) and October (Easton/Eastville). If you know any community members that might benefit, pass them along this link: https://lnkd.in/gzgm4fn8

Have you ever felt like something was missing from you life? Perhaps you’ve recently realized you are so engrossed in your life and how well you are doing you missed seeing how someone close to you was struggling. Or maybe you have a teenager and are remembering how hard it was growing into the person you are today. If anyone of this resonates considering volunteering and giving back to your community. #volunteer #community #givingback #supportingyouth #youthempowerment #youthleadership #mentoring

Every interaction can teach you valuable lessons you can carry forward into other areas of your life.    Daniel Cakora here again to share some reflections.     Vendavo offers 16 hours of annual paid volunteer time to each employee so we can all give back to causes that matter to us. But this is something my family does outside of that.    This year I volunteered for the Jackson Chance Foundation, and this one really hit home for me. Jackson Chance Foundation assists families with NICU-bound children by covering parking fees. My son spent a significant amount of time in the NICU, so I know what that’s like.     Not having to worry about expensive parking fees during such a trying time was a weight off our shoulders for my wife and me. It gave us the freedom to visit our son, step away to run errands, and come back to spend more time with him – all without additional financial stress layered atop everything else.     This cause means so much to us that we set aside money on birthdays and the anniversary of our son’s “come home day” to make contributions.    There are little lessons like that everywhere. Openings for solutions that can help make others’ days a little less stressful or a little easier. Opportunities that matter a lot to the people on the other end of the experience.     As Benjamin Franklin said, “When you’re good to others, you’re best to yourself.” https://lnkd.in/g547y64Z #vendavo #employeetakeover #jacksonchance #jcf

This summer showed a significant increase in summer camp member retention! ☀️ According to the nonprofit community centers we support, 41% of kids returned to the same camp this summer. Camps are retaining more kids year over year. ⬆️ This surge in member retention highlights the importance camp experiences have on both students and families. It illustrates how summer camps have the ability to build a strong bond in the community and earn parents' trust with a secure environment for their children. What are some ways you keep students and families engaged about summer camp? ⛱️ #daxko #community #industryinsights #summercamp

All communities need equitable public safety systems, free from racial bias, in order to thrive. This is why @Center for Policing Equity works to protect, empower, and support Black and Brown communities to redesign their public safety systems and produce better policing outcomes. Substantial and effective change in our collective approach to public safety can only be driven by community support. This #GivingTuesday, put community first: policingequity.org/donate.

Redwood Credit Union (RCU) has a rich history and a wide-reaching impact in its community. Here are some fun and interesting facts about Redwood Credit Union: Community Reach and Size: Redwood Credit Union serves over 415,000 members across several counties including Sonoma, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Mendocino, Lake, Contra Costa, and Solano. As of July 31, 2022, it is the largest credit union in the North Bay, boasting $7.6 billion in assets. It's the 37th largest credit union in the U.S. among approximately 5,200 credit unions and the 8th largest in California out of 300. RCU operates 19 branch locations, with 18 in the North Bay and 1 in San Francisco. They also provide over 30,000 free network ATMs and an out-of-network ATM fee reimbursement program for members. History and Development: Founded in 1950 by seven employees of the County of Sonoma, it later changed its name to Redwood Credit Union in 1982 to reflect the increased demand for affordable financial services in the North Bay. By 2004, RCU's membership had reached 100,000 and by 2007, its assets had grown to $1 billion. They also moved into a new corporate building in Santa Rosa, CA, which is recognized as a silver LEED-Certified green building. Recognition and Awards: RCU has been recognized by Forbes as one of "America's Best Small Employers 2023". It has received the title of the healthiest credit union in California and ranked sixth healthiest in the nation among large credit unions. The credit union has also been acknowledged as the "Best Credit Union" by the readers of Press Democrat every year and has achieved numerous other accolades including a 5‐Star Bauer Rating and an A Excellent Rating from Weiss Ratings. Community Impact and Services: RCU is committed to helping its members improve their lives and making a positive difference in the community. It has been active in this regard since 1950, aiding people in achieving their financial goals and dreams. The credit union offers a full range of financial services for both personal and business use, including checking, savings, loans, credit cards, investments, insurance, and auto purchasing/brokerage. Employee Base: Employing 720 individuals, RCU contributes significantly to local employment. Moreover, RCU has been named one of the best places to work for the 17th consecutive year by the North Bay Business Journal. These facts paint a picture of a credit union deeply rooted in its community, committed to providing excellent service and value to its members, and recognized both locally and nationally for its stability, service, and workplace culture. Cheers to the team and leader Brett Martinez

All communities need equitable public safety systems, free from racial bias, in order to thrive. This is why @Center for Policing Equity works to protect, empower, and support Black and Brown communities to redesign their public safety systems and produce better policing outcomes. Substantial and effective change in our collective approach to public safety can only be driven by community support. This #GivingTuesday, put community first. Join the movement and make an impact: policingequity.org/donate.