Volunteers are needed to roll up their sleeves and to join the residents of The Fan, Carver, Oregon Hill, and Randolph community for Paint the Town Green, a neighborhood clean up led by the VCU Division of Community Engagement. Paint the Town Green will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2012, in Monroe Park. Volunteers will gather in the park before the cleanup begins at 9 a.m. To read more about this upcoming event: http://fanofthefan.com/2012/04/paint-the-town-green-to-beautify-the-neighborhood-this-saturday/

History lovers, it's time for Emancipation Day: Commemorating the 150th anniversaries of the Civil War and the end of American slavery on April 14th. VCU's Year of Freedom Committee and the Division of Community Engagement invite all students, faculty and staff to learn more about Richmond's Civil War and Emancipation history by participating in Civil War & Emancipation Day on Saturday, April 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free shuttles will carry visitors between all sites and performances, most of which are offering free admission. For more information please visit: http://civilwar.emancipationday.net/
Volunteers are needed at numerous historic locations around Richmond on Saturday, April 14 during shifts between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. To volunteer, please visit: http://futureofrichmondspast.org/getinvolved/index.html

The VCU Division of Community Engagement's Service-Learning Office is offering a 2.5 day institute for faculty, staff and graduate students who want to develop a more in-depth understanding of the service-learning pedagogy. The 2012 May Service-Learning Institute will take place May 14-16 (on campus). For more information check out the website: http://wp.vcu.edu/servicelearninginstitute/

Article by Mike Porter
VCU Communications and Public Relations
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They weren't the tallest or the oldest students walking around Virginia Commonwealth University's Monroe Park Campus last week, but the 50 fourth graders from George Washington Carver Elementary School may very well have been the most energetic students at VCU.

The young students are part of the Carver-VCU Partnership's Carver Promise program, which links the elementary school's students with mentors from VCU, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, the University of Richmond and Virginia Union University. They were visiting campus as part

To view the entire article click here.

The Council for Community Engagement Awards and Recognition Committee has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 2011-2012 Currents of Change Award. As an on-going recognition of collaboration between the University and its greater community, the Council for Community Engagement is proud to highlight and celebrate partnerships that benefit students, staff, faculty, alumni, and our community partners on local, state, regional, national, and global levels. The Council is seeking nominations of outstanding university-community partnerships in three focus areas: (1) Community Engaged Teaching, (2) Community Engaged Service and (3) Community Engaged Research. One partnership from each focus area will be recognized. From these three projects, an overall Currents of Change Award will be presented to the partnership that best demonstrates integration of teaching and learning, outreach and research/scholarship. Nominations are due by 12noon on Friday, April 6, 2012.

Currents of Change Nomination 2011 2012.doc

"Anybody can be great because anybody can serve." Dr Martin Luther King, Jr

The VCU AmeriCorps Program in partnership with 2nd Presbyterian Church will be hosting the 2nd Annual 'Beloved Community Celebration.' This event will be held on MLK Day, Monday, January 16th. Individuals are encouraged to attend the short worship service in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. King. Fellowship and refreshments will follow the interdenominational service.

Also, in the spirit of Community Engagement VCU AmeriCorps will be collecting toiletry items for the homeless in honor of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Items will be given out on Monday, January 16th at an MLK Day Celebration Service (mentioned above).

Items Needed:
Deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, dental floss, reusable bags, combs, brushes

Please drop off all items with Laura Georgiadis in the Division of Community Engagement, 817 S Cathedral Street (lsgeorgiadis@vcu.edu).